Orthopaedics

Knee Replacement Guidebook

Travel Tips to Prevent Blood Clots

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When you travel, don’t let cramped conditions put you at risk of forming a blood clot. Keep your body moving, even when traveling, and avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water (at least 8oz an hour).

General Tips for Air Travel:

  • Try to keep your feet elevated by using the leg rest at the highest elevation. Rest your feet on your carry-on luggage if necessary.
  • If you have the opportunity to move around the cabin, walk to the restroom and back.
  • Walk for 30 minutes before boarding the plane.

Seated Exercises:

  • Ankle circles: Lift your feet off the floor and twirl your feet as if you’re drawing circles with your toes. Continue this for 15 seconds then reverse direction. Repeat.
  • Foot pumps: Keep your heels on the floor and lift the front of your feet toward you as high as possible, keeping the balls of your feet on the floor. Continue for 30 seconds and repeat as often as you like.
  • Knee lifts: Keeping your legs bent, lift your knee up to your chest. Bring knee back to normal position and repeat with your other leg. Repeat 20-30 times for each leg.
  • Shoulder roll: Lift your shoulders upward, then pull them backwards, downward, and forward in a gentle circular motion. Continue for 30 seconds. Reverse direction.
  • Arm curl: Start with arms on chair rests, bent at a 90 degree angle. Raise one hand up to your chest and back down. Alternate hands and continue for 30 seconds. Repeat.

Seated Stretches:

  • Knee to chest: With both hands clasped around your right knee, bend forward slightly and pull your knee to your chest. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds, then slowly let your knee down. Repeat the same stretch with your left knee. Perform 10 stretches.
  • Forward flex: Keep both feet on the floor and slowly bend forward, reaching for your ankles. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds and slowly return to normal seated position.
  • Overhead stretch: Raise both hands straight up over your head. Use one hand to grab the wrist of the opposite hand and gently pull to one side. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds, and repeat with the other arm.
  • Shoulder stretch: Bring your right hand over your left shoulder. Then place your left hand behind your right elbow and gently pull your elbow toward your body. Hold stretch for 15 seconds and repeat with the other arm.
  • Neck roll: Relax your neck and shoulders. Drop your right ear to your right shoulder and gently roll your head forward and to the other side, holding each position about 5 seconds. Repeat 5 times.