Role of Early Mobilization in Mitigating the Risk of Deep Venous Thrombosis After Total Knee Replacement

Abstract

Background: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a potentially life-threatening complication following total knee replacement (TKR), with early mobilization proposed as a pivotal strategy to reduce postoperative thrombotic risk. However, gaps remain in the comparative effectiveness of mobilization timing and thromboprophylaxis modalities. Objective: This study aimed to determine the impact of early mobilization (within 24 hours) on DVT incidence after TKR and to assess the association of demographic factors, mobilization protocols, and prophylactic measures with postoperative outcomes. Methods: In this cross-sectional retrospective analysis, medical records of adult patients (n = 60) who underwent TKR at two tertiary hospitals were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years and TKR; patients with other surgeries or age <18 were excluded. Data were collected from electronic records and questionnaires, focusing on mobilization timing, type and frequency of activity, prophylactic medication and device use, and DVT outcomes. Ethical approval was obtained in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Data were analyzed using SPSS v27, with chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests and effect sizes reported. Results: Of 60 patients (71.7% male), 88.3% were mobilized within 24 hours, and 10.0% developed DVT. Early mobilization significantly reduced DVT incidence (5.7% vs. 42.9% with delayed mobilization, p = 0.033, Cramér’s V = 0.275). No significant associations were observed with gender, prophylactic modality, or satisfaction. Conclusion: Early mobilization after TKR is strongly associated with lower DVT risk, supporting its integration into standard postoperative protocols for optimizing patient outcomes and minimizing complications in clinical practice