title: Patient-reported history of leg ulceration 12-16 years after total primary knee or hip replacement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Deep vein thrombosis is common after total joint replacement. It is frequently asymptomatic, and it is unclear whether this leads to longer-term problems such as post-thrombotic syndrome and leg ulceration. We investigated whether the postoperative prevalence of ulceration in patients who had undergone primary total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) was higher than that found in a control group who had not undergone total joint replacement.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of patients who had undergone THR or TKR at one orthopedic center 12-16 years previously without routine chemothromboprophylaxis, and who had not undergone revision surgery. The control group was recruited via primary care. All participants were recruited by post and asked to complete a questionnaire. Age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of self-reported leg ulceration was calculated, and logistic regression was used to determine whether there were any associations between THR or TKR and leg ulceration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Completed questionnaires were received from 441 THR patients (54% response rate), 196 TKR patients (48%) and 967 control participants (36%). No statistically significant differences in age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of ulceration were found between the groups, for either lifetime prevalence or prevalence over the previous 15 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients who undergo THR and TKR without chemothromboprophylaxis are unlikely to be at a higher risk of long-term venous ulceration than the normal population.
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Research Unit, School of Clinical Sciences, Avon Orthopaedic Centre, University of Bristol, Southmead Hospital, Bristol , UK .
authors.forename: Virginia C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.forename: Vikki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wylde
authors.forename: Alison J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Ashley W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Blom
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D054070:Postthrombotic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000209:etiology*