INTRODUCTION: Tendo achilles (TA) ruptures are commonly encountered in orthopaedic practice. These can be managed operatively or conservatively depending on various factors like patient age, activity levels, co morbidities, patient expectations and surgeon preference. They are usually treated in plaster cast immobilisation if managed conservatively. CASE REPORT: We present a case of fatal pulmonary embolism following conservatively managed Tendo achilles (TA) rupture in a young man treated as an orthopaedic outpatient. DISCUSSION: There are no current clear guidelines on venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in conservatively managed outpatients with cast immobilisation. CONCLUSION: Our case report highlights the importance of recognition of this aspect of patient management and reviews the current literature available on this debatable topic.
INTRODUCTION: Tendo achilles (TA) ruptures are commonly encountered in orthopaedic practice. These can be managed operatively or conservatively depending on various factors like patient age, activity levels, co morbidities, patient expectations and surgeon preference. They are usually treated in plaster cast immobilisation if managed conservatively. CASE REPORT: We present a case of fatal pulmonary embolism following conservatively managed Tendo achilles (TA) rupture in a young man treated as an orthopaedic outpatient. DISCUSSION: There are no current clear guidelines on venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in conservatively managed outpatients with cast immobilisation. CONCLUSION: Our case report highlights the importance of recognition of this aspect of patient management and reviews the current literature available on this debatable topic.
Entities:
Keywords:
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT); Pulmonary embolism (PE); Tendo achilles ruptures
Authors: William H Geerts; David Bergqvist; Graham F Pineo; John A Heit; Charles M Samama; Michael R Lassen; Clifford W Colwell Journal: Chest Date: 2008-06 Impact factor: 9.410