[Prevention of thrombosis in surgery of the extremities. Physical methods in thrombosis prevention]

Physical therapy procedures for the prophylaxis of thrombosis are part of basic medical therapy. Their effect has been documented by numerous individual observations, even though no prospective studies are available. Since the inconvenience to the patient is minor, they should be implemented in all surgical patients. In the case of patients at risk of thrombosis such as in orthopedic surgery, the effect of such procedures is not sufficient. In this case physical therapy procedures can only supplement the medical prophylaxis of thrombosis. The effectiveness of technically more complex physical procedures has been documented in small studies, but due to the high technical and personnel costs, the application is restricted.