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  5. Travel advice for elective lower limb orthopaedic surgery patients (1294)

Travel advice for elective lower limb orthopaedic surgery patients (1294)

A guideline is intended to assist healthcare professionals in the choice of disease-specific treatments.

Clinical judgement should be exercised on the applicability of any guideline, influenced by individual patient characteristics. Clinicians should be mindful of the potential for harmful polypharmacy and increased susceptibility to adverse drug reactions in patients with multiple morbidities or frailty.

If, after discussion with the patient or carer, there are good reasons for not following a guideline, it is good practice to record these and communicate them to others involved in the care of the patient.

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Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 02/09/2026

Next review date: 30/09/2028

Author(s): Shanmugasundaram Rajkumar .

Version: 1

Co-Author(s): Roderick Kong , Emmanouil Kokkinakis.

Approved By: Trauma & Orthopaedic Clinical Governance Group

Document Id: 1294

References

Evidence method

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/dvt-prevention-for-travellers/

Kuipers S, Cannegieter SC, Middeldorp S, et al. The absolute risk of venous thrombosis after air travel: a cohort study of 8,755 employees of international organisations. PLoS Med 2007; 4: e290

BSH(2023)Travel-related venous thrombosis. BSH Guideline. Addendum 17 April 2023. British Society for Haematology.

 

SheaJ,GhoshA,TurnerBR,DaviesAH,OnidaS.Asystematicreviewandmeta-analysisofvenous thromboembolism risk in surgical patients with recent air travel. Phlebology. 2025;0(0). doi:10.1177/02683555251342912.

 

Surgery and travel - patient information. (2021). Accessed: July 12, 2023: https://www.wwl.nhs.uk/media/.leaflets/6137347eccae25.70947723.pdf.

Philbrick JT, Shumate R, Siadaty MS, Becker DM: Air travel and venous thromboembolism: a systematic review. J Gen Intern Med. 2007, 22:107-14.10.1007/s11606-006-0016-0

https://www.caa.co.uk/air-passengers/about-your-trip/health-and-medical/guidance-for-health-professionals/surgical-conditions/

Is there a consensus on air travel following hip and knee arthroplasty? Tobenna J Oputa, AmoghPatil et al – Cureus open access 10.7759/cureus.43814

https://roh.nhs.uk/services-information/other-info/before-surgery/travel-surgery-and-dvt