After Leg Thrombectomy

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

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AMBULATORY CARE:

A thrombectomy

is an emergency procedure to remove a blood clot from a leg artery or vein.

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) or have someone call if:

• You feel lightheaded, short of breath, and have chest pain.
• You cough up blood.

Seek care immediately if:

• Your symptoms get worse.
• You develop new DVT symptoms in another leg or arm.

Call your doctor or hematologist if:

• You have questions or concerns about your conditions or care.

Medicines:

You may need any of the following:

• Medicines may be given to treat pain, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
• Antiplatelets , such as aspirin, help prevent blood clots. Take your antiplatelet medicine exactly as directed. These medicines make it more likely for you to bleed or bruise. If you are told to take aspirin, do not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead.
• Blood thinners help prevent blood clots. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Many types of blood thinners are available. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions for the type you are given. The following are general safety guidelines to follow while you are taking a blood thinner:
  • Watch for bleeding and bruising. Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose. Watch for blood in your urine and bowel movements. Use a soft washcloth on your skin, and a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. This can keep your skin and gums from bleeding. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Do not play contact sports.
  • Tell your dentist and other healthcare providers that you take a blood thinner. Wear a bracelet or necklace that says you take this medicine.
  • Do not start or stop any other medicines or supplements unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Many medicines and supplements cannot be used with blood thinners.
  • Take your blood thinner exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not skip a dose or take less than prescribed. Tell your provider right away if you forget to take your blood thinner, or if you take too much.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Slowly return to your normal activities:

Walk around often and return to your activities as directed by your healthcare provider. Avoid strenuous activity for 3 weeks. Do not drive until your healthcare provider says it is okay. You may need to wait a week or longer before you can start driving again.

Wound care:

• Keep your incision wound clean and dry. Ask your healthcare provider when you can bathe. You will need to keep the bandage in place and dry for a day or two after your procedure. Cover the bandage with a plastic bag and tape the opening around your skin to keep water out. When you are allowed to bathe without a bandage, carefully wash the wound with soap and water. Check the wound daily for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus. Dry the area and put on new, clean bandages as directed. Change your bandage if it gets wet or dirty.
• Watch for bleeding and bruising. It is normal to have a bruise and soreness where the catheter went in. Contact your healthcare provider if your bruise gets larger. If your wound bleeds, use your hand to put pressure on the bandage. If you do not have a bandage, use a clean cloth to put pressure over and just above the puncture site. Seek care immediately if the bleeding does not stop within 10 minutes.
• Apply ice to the incision wound as directed. Ice can help reduce pain, swelling, and bruising. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover the ice pack or bag with a towel and apply it to the wound for 20 minutes every hour, or as directed.

Wear a compression device as directed:

Examples include pressure stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression, and sequential compression devices. A compression device puts pressure on your lower legs to help keep blood from pooling in your leg veins. Your healthcare provider can prescribe the right device for you. Do not buy over-the-counter devices unless your provider says it is okay. They may not fit correctly or may have elastic that cuts off your circulation. Ask your provider when to start wearing a compression device and how long to wear it.

Prevent another blood clot:

• Keep your legs elevated as directed. Keep your legs above the level of your heart when you are sitting. Prop your legs on pillows to keep them elevated comfortably. Ask how long to keep your legs elevated each day. You will need to balance elevation with movement to prevent blood clots.
• Stay active. Your healthcare provider will tell you when it is safe to start doing your normal daily activities. Go slowly at first. Then increase your activity. An active lifestyle can help prevent blood clots. Try to get at least 30 minutes of activity on most days of the week. If you sit most of the day for work, stand or walk around every half hour. After a future injury or illness, try to become active again as soon as possible. Activity can also help you manage your weight. Extra body weight can put pressure on your leg veins and cause blood to pool. This increases your risk for another blood clot.
• Do not smoke. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes and cigars can cause blood vessel and lung damage. Ask your provider for information if you currently smoke and need help to quit. E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to your provider before you use these products.
• Talk to your provider about alcohol. Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours after your procedure. Then limit alcohol as directed by your provider. Limits are usually 1 drink a day if you are female and 2 drinks a day if you are male. A drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1½ ounces of liquor.
• Manage other health conditions. Follow your provider's directions to manage health conditions that can cause a blood clot. Examples are high cholesterol and diabetes.
• Drink liquids as directed. Liquid can help prevent blood clots. Ask your provider how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you.

Follow up with your doctor or hematologist as directed:

You may need to come in for regular tests of your brain function. If you are taking warfarin, you will need to come in for regular blood tests. Your INR levels will also need to be checked. These tests help make sure you are taking the right amount of warfarin. You may need to be checked for blood clots for up to 3 years after treatment. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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