Thromboembolic events are uncommon following ankle fracture surgery

Thromboembolic events – such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), blood clots developing in the extremities; or pulmonary embolism (PE), a complication that causes a blood clot to move to the lungs – can occur following musculoskeletal injury and related surgery, and are potentially life threatening. In "The Incidence of Thromboembolic Events in Surgically Treated Ankle Fracture," a study appearing in the March 21, 2012 issue of the JBJS, researchers sought to determine the frequency of, and potential risk factors for, thromboembolic events following surgical treatment of an ankle fracture. Eurekalert!