A new approach for preventing DVT in THR post-operative patients using NMES

Over one hundred thousand Total Hip Replacements (THR) are performed every year in the UK. It is recognised as one of the most risky procedures for the patient to develop a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Sky Medical have developed a new technology – the gekoTM - for preventing DVT that works by gently stimulating the nerve behind the knee that causes the calf muscles to contract. This contraction pumps blood around the lower leg and body and prevents a DVT occurring. This project is designed to test this new technology on a large sample of patients that are undergoing THR and examine the ability of the gekoTM device as an effective means of DVT prevention for patients most at risk of life threatening blood clots and for whom there is curently no viable alternative.