Safe Recovery: Preventing DVT at WIH Hospital
At WIH International Hospital, your safety and well-being are our top priorities, not just during your surgery, but throughout your entire recovery journey. We understand that a smooth recovery is key to a successful outcome. That’s why we follow a strict and effective Postoperative Protocol designed to prevent common complications, particularly deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
⌵ What is DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)?
Deep vein thrombosis is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, most often in the leg. While this can happen to anyone, the risk is higher after surgery, especially when a patient is less mobile. Our goal is to keep your blood flowing properly to reduce this risk.
Our Post-Operative Protocol in Action
- Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Pumps: When you’re resting in bed, we use a special device called an Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Pump. This device gently compresses and decompresses your calf muscles. Think of it as a massage that helps push blood back up to your heart, preventing it from pooling and clotting in your legs. It’s a simple, yet highly effective tool for your safety.
- Simple Bedside Exercises: Our nursing team will also guide you through easy, gentle exercises you can do right in your hospital bed. These movements are designed to stimulate blood flow and keep your muscles active.
Ankle Up-and-Down Movements
By flexing your ankles up and down, your calf muscles are activated, helping push blood back to the heart. This easy movement can be done frequently throughout the day and is crucial during early postoperative days.
Leg Raises
Lifting your legs up and down slowly strengthens thigh muscles and encourages healthy blood flow. Even small movements can significantly reduce the risk of blood clots.
Why This Matters
These measures are a crucial part of our commitment to your health. By combining technology like the compression pump with guided exercises, we create a proactive environment for your recovery. Our protocol is designed to be safe, comfortable, and tailored to help you get back on your feet as quickly and securely as possible. At WIH Hospital, a clear, safe, and swift recovery is not just a hope; it’s our standard of care.
⌵ Simple Exercises to Prevent DVT During Your Recovery
At WIH International Hospital, our commitment to your health goes beyond the operating room. We’ve developed a clear, effective postoperative protocol to ensure your recovery is not just swift, but also exceptionally safe. A key part of this is preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition where blood clots form in the legs.
Movement is a powerful tool for your recovery. It keeps your blood flowing and your muscles engaged, minimizing the risk of complications. Here is a detailed guide to the 8 simple, gentle exercises our nurses will encourage you to perform. These are designed to be safe and effective, helping you on your path to a full and confident recovery.
Your 8-Step Recovery Exercise Guide:
- Ankle Pumps
- How to do it: While lying down, gently pull your toes toward your head (flexing your foot), then slowly point your toes away from you.
- Why it helps: This simple back-and-forth motion contracts and relaxes your calf muscles, which act as a natural pump to push blood from your lower legs back toward your heart. It’s a cornerstone of DVT prevention.
- Ankle Rotations
- How to do it: With your leg straight, slowly rotate your ankle in a smooth, circular motion.
- Why it helps: This exercise mobilizes the ankle joint and further stimulates circulation in the foot and lower leg, preventing blood from pooling.
- Heel Slides
- How to do it: Gently slide one heel along the bed toward your buttocks, bending your knee as you go. Slide it back to the starting position.
- Why it helps: This controlled movement promotes blood flow in the thigh and calf, and helps maintain flexibility in your hip and knee joints without putting undue stress on them.
- Knee Lifts
- How to do it: Slowly lift one knee toward your chest, keeping your foot on the bed and sliding it along the mattress. Hold for a moment, then lower it back down.
- Why it helps: This action engages your thigh and core muscles, stimulating circulation in a larger muscle group and improving joint mobility.
- Leg Extensions
- How to do it: While lying down, straighten one leg and lift it just a few inches off the bed. Hold this position for a count of five, then slowly lower it.
- Why it helps: This isometric exercise strengthens the quadriceps muscle, which is essential for stabilizing the knee and supporting blood flow.
- Modified Calf Raises
- How to do it: While seated on the edge of the bed (with your feet flat on the floor), lift your heels, keeping your toes on the floor. Slowly lower your heels back down.
- Why it helps: This exercise activates the powerful calf muscles, often referred to as the “second heart” because of their crucial role in venous blood return. It’s an excellent way to maintain circulation when sitting.
- Foot Taps
- How to do it: Tap the balls of your feet up and down on the bed or floor. This is a quick, rhythmic movement.
- Why it helps: This easy, low-impact exercise provides a continuous, gentle stimulation to the muscles in your feet and lower legs, preventing stagnation of blood flow.
- Thigh Contractions
- How to do it: Squeeze the muscles on the top of your thigh (your quadriceps). Hold the contraction for a count of five, then relax.
- Why it helps: Activating your quadriceps strengthens the muscles that support your knee and thigh, further enhancing blood circulation and muscle tone without any major movement.
These exercises are a crucial part of our postoperative care philosophy. By making these simple movements a regular part of your recovery, you are actively participating in your healing process. Our compassionate nursing staff will be there to guide you and ensure you are performing each exercise safely and effectively.
