[Physical prevention of thrombosis with the ankle joint with the motorized ankle joint movement device. Initial results of a clinical study].

Between 1993 and 1994 the value of the "Artroflow" device in deep venous thrombosis was tested in 95 trauma surgical high risk patients. Parallel to the application of Heparin and physical methods, the "Artroflow" device was employed. The test and compare group showed an equal amount of risk parameters and comparable injuries. In all patients until full mobilization a weekly clinical examination, a compression sonography of the deep leg veins and a venous Doppler examination was performed. In the test group 1 deep venous thrombosis (2.3%) and no clinically manifest lung embolism occurred. In the control group, the deep venous thrombosis rate was 21.6%. This showed a highly significant drop of the deep venous thrombosis rate in trauma surgical patients (p < 0.0041 Fisher test) and allows us to suggest the use of the "Artroflow" device in high risk patients parallel to heparin prophylaxis.