This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response View responses Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal My Folders Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Patil, S. Articles by Hui, A. C. W. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Patil, S. Articles by Hui, A. C. W.

Incidence of deep-vein thrombosis in patients with fractures of the ankle treated in a plaster cast

¹ James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough TS4 3BW, UK.

Correspondence should be sent to Mr S. Patil; e-mail: sunitpatil{at}doctors.org.uk

Stable fractures of the ankle can be successfully treated non-operatively by a below-knee plaster cast. In some centres, patients with this injury are routinely administered low-molecular-weight heparin, to reduce the risk of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). We have assessed the incidence of DVT in 100 patients in the absence of any thromboprophylaxis. A colour Doppler duplex ultrasound scan was done at the time of the removal of the cast.

Five patients did develop DVT, though none had clinical signs suggestive of it. One case involved the femoral and another the popliteal vein. No patient developed pulmonary embolism. As the incidence of DVT after ankle fractures is low, we do not recommend routine thromboprophylaxis.

eLetters: