What are standard postoperative precautions and rehabilitation steps to reduce DVT after arthroplasty?

• A. Early ambulation, leg exercises, compression devices, pharmacologic prophylaxis (e.g., aspirin, DOACs) based on protocol, and follow-up.
• B. Prolonged bed rest for 2 weeks; no movement; only herbal therapies.
• C. Only mechanical prophylaxis without pharmacology.
• D. Immediate high-dose anticoagulation for 6 months no surveillance.

Answer: (A)

Preventing DVT after arthroplasty relies on a multimodal approach that promotes venous return and reduces clotting risk early in recovery. Early ambulation and active leg exercises help the calf muscle pump push blood back toward the heart, decreasing venous stasis. Compression devices—such as graduated stockings or intermittent pneumatic compression—support this flow and complement movement. Pharmacologic prophylaxis, chosen according to the protocol and patient risk, typically includes agents like aspirin or a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC), sometimes with other anticoagulants, to inhibit clot formation while balancing bleeding risk. Ongoing follow-up ensures the regimen is tolerated, adjusted as needed, and complications or rehab milestones are monitored. The other approaches fall short because prolonged bed rest eliminates muscle-driven blood flow and increases DVT risk, herbal therapies lack proven effectiveness, relying on mechanical methods alone misses essential pharmacologic protection, and using high-dose anticoagulation for a long period without surveillance raises bleeding concerns and ignores individualized protocols.