Hybrid Strategy to Prevent Venous Thromboembolism after Joint Arthroplasty

Total hip and total knee replacement procedures offer the potential to relieve pain and disability, but both surgeries expose patients to a substantial risk of venous thromboembolism. Most experts agree that postoperative pharmacologic prophylaxis is warranted, but different clinical practice guidelines encompass a relatively wide spectrum of strategies. Recommended approaches range from low-dose aspirin monotherapy at one extreme to the long-term use of an anticoagulant such as low-molecular-weight heparin at the other.