After surgery · Urgent
Could This Be a Blood Clot After Surgery?
Surgery raises the risk of clots in the leg (DVT) and lung (PE) for a few weeks. Tick your symptoms to see what they point to and what to do, some need emergency help right now.
Quick answer
A leg clot (DVT) typically causes pain, swelling, warmth or redness in one leg (often the calf) that builds over hours to days; if so, contact a doctor urgently the same day and do not rub or massage the leg. A clot on the lung (PE) is an emergency: sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain worse on breathing in, coughing up blood, or fainting mean calling your local emergency number immediately. The risk is highest in the first 2 weeks after surgery but can last several weeks.
Call emergency services now if you have
sudden breathlessness, chest pain worse on breathing, coughing up blood, fainting or a racing heart. Dial your local emergency number (999 / 112 / 911 / 108). These can be signs of a clot on the lung, do not wait for this checker and do not drive yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if calf pain after surgery is a blood clot?
A deep vein clot (DVT) typically causes pain, tenderness, swelling, warmth or redness in ONE leg (often the calf) that builds over hours to days and doesn't ease with rest. Aches in both legs equally, or pain right at the wound, are less likely to be a clot. If one leg is swollen, warm and painful, contact a doctor urgently the same day. Don't rub or massage it.
What are the warning signs of a clot in the lung (PE)?
A pulmonary embolism is an emergency. Warning signs are sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that's sharp or worse when you breathe in, coughing up blood, a racing heartbeat, or feeling faint or collapsing. If you have these, call your local emergency number (999, 112, 911, 108) immediately. Do not wait or drive yourself.
How long after surgery can a blood clot happen?
The risk is highest in the first 2 weeks after surgery but can last for several weeks, especially after major or orthopedic operations, or if you're less mobile. Keep taking any clot-prevention medicine or wearing the stockings you were given, and keep moving as advised.
How can I lower my risk of a clot after surgery?
Move and walk as soon as you're allowed, do ankle exercises while resting, stay hydrated, take any prescribed blood-thinning injections or tablets exactly as directed, and wear compression stockings if you were given them. On long journeys soon after surgery, move your legs regularly.
Should I go to the emergency room or call my surgeon?
For lung symptoms (sudden breathlessness, chest pain, coughing blood, fainting): call emergency services now. For a painful, swollen, warm leg without breathing symptoms. Contact a doctor or your surgical team urgently the same day; you'll usually be assessed quickly with a scan. When unsure, treat it as urgent and seek help rather than waiting.