Postphlebitic syndrome after hip arthroplasty. 43 patients followed at least 5 years.

We reviewed 43 patients using clinical scoring for evidence of postphlebitic syndrome at least 5 years after hip replacement. All had had a venogram as part of a screening study at the time of surgery. The postphlebitic syndrome was identified in 13 patients and was disabling in 6. The syndrome was present in 9 of the 11 patients with a venographically proven deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and in 4 of the 32 without DVT. Postphlebitic sequelae had developed despite anticoagulant therapy for the acute DVT. The postphlebitic syndrome following asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis is an important long-term complication of total hip replacement.