Could This Be a Blood Clot After Surgery?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.