New oral anticoagulants for thromboprophylaxis in patients having hip or knee arthroplasty

A 78 year old woman has had an elective left hip arthroplasty and on discharge her orthopaedic surgeon prescribes a further, 28 day postoperative course of anticoagulant prophylaxis. She sees her general practitioner a week later, concerned that these “blood thinners” are tablets, whereas she had daily injections after her knee replacement three years ago. Her general practitioner explains that the tablets have recently become available and that guidelines recommend them as an alternative to injections as they are as effective, more convenient, and safe.