Extended travel after hip arthroplasty surgery. Is it safe?

Hip arthroplasty and extended travel are each recognized as risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The safety of travel after hip arthroplasty is currently unknown. Patients who had traveled more than 200 miles within 6 weeks of a hip arthroplasty or hip resurfacing were identified and contacted. All patients received VTE chemoprophylaxis with enoxaparin, dalteparin, fondaparinox, or warfarin. A total of 608 patients traveled an average of 1377 miles at an average of 6.5 days after surgery. Among these patients, 462 traveled by airplane, 143 by car, and 3 by train. There were no deaths, no symptomatic pulmonary embolisms, and only 5 (0.82%) symptomatic deep venous thromboses. Nine (1.5%) patients experienced bleeding complications. With chemical VTE prophylaxis, extended travel within 6 weeks of hip arthroplasty surgery is associated with a low rate of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis, with no known pulmonary embolisms and no deaths.