You’ve Got to Move It,

Move It—Especially

when Travelling

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and

How to Prevent Clots during Travel

Are you planning to travel this summer? If you’ll be spending

long periods of time sitting still (either in your car or on

an airplane) you may want to take heed of deep vein thrombosis

(DVT). What is DVT? It can be painful and dangerous

if you don’t know what it is and how to identify it while

you’re travelling.

DVT can affect anyone but is most prevalent in adults over

60 years of age. DVT mainly affects the larger veins in the

lower legs and thighs. A blood clot can develop and block

blood flow, causing pain and swelling. A blood clot that

breaks free and moves through the bloodstream is called an

embolism. An embolism can lodge in the brain, heart, or

lungs and cause severe damage.

The risk factors for DVT and blood clots include:

• long periods of bed rest;

• cigarette smoking;

• fractures in the pelvis or legs;

• giving birth within the last 6 months;

• heart failure;

• medications such as estrogen and birth control pills;

• obesity; and

• recent surgery.

There are ways to avoid DVT if you happen to have any

of these risk factors. First and foremost, moving your

legs often during long plane trips, car trips, and other

situations in which you are sitting or lying down for long

periods of time can help prevent DVT. You can do ankle

circles, knee bends, and thigh lifts right in your seat. It’s

also important to get up and move during plane travel. If

you are travelling by car, stop periodically and walk for a

few minutes. By moving around, you decrease your risk

of DVT significantly.

Clinical evidence suggests that wearing compression socks or

tights while travelling reduces the incidence of DVT on long

flights, especially if you have any of the risk factors identified

above. These products help improve circulation, which can

be particularly important to decrease the risk of DVT

For further information about foot or ankle conditions, contact one of our foot and ankle surgeons at the Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Institute, LLC.  Visit us on the web at www.rfainstitute.comor make an appointment with one of our state of the art offices in Maryland:

Hagerstown 301.797.8554, 1150 Professional Court, Suite C, 21740

Frederick 301.418.6014, 2100 Old Farm Drive, Suite D, 21702