Peter J. Kaboli, MD, MS

The reported incidence of postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) after a first episode of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is quite variable, depending on the measurement scale used and the severity. Most studies suggest that the rate is 20% to 50%, with symptoms ranging from minor skin discoloration to chronic swelling and ulceration.1 However, the incidence of symptomatic PTS was less than 5% in a population of patients who underwent orthopedic hip and knee arthroplasty, regardless of whether they experienced symptomatic postoperative DVT.2