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Is Flying Safe While Having A Serious Bruising On Lower Leg?
Question: I will be taking a 3 hour flight in 3 days time. However I have serious bruising to my lower leg. Is there any risk attached?
Brief Answer:
Slight risk is there and taking precautions will help minimize it
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. The risk of blood clots in deep veins of the leg due to travelling is more in those taking flights over 3 hours in duration.
2. Rarely a flight less than 3 hours might cause small blood clots in people having a tendency of clot formation. The incidence of pulmonary embolism from short duration flights is about than 0.35 percent as found in a research study.
3. Since you have got evaluated probably by a chest X ray and ultrasound Doppler of leg veins and the reports are normal, therefore the relative risk for clot formation is extremely low.
4. It is suggested that you take preventive steps to further reduce your risk by doing the following
(i) Please avoid sitting for long at the airport waiting area and take small strolls
(ii) When at your seat, please stretch your legs at the knee every 30 minutes.
(iii) You might also lift each knee for 2 -3 seconds keeping the knee bent, one at a time approximately every 30 minutes.
(iv) You might also wear a pair of flight socks
(v) Avoid alcohol before taking the flight
5. Having the above precautions in place, I wish you a comfortable journey in 3 days time.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Slight risk is there and taking precautions will help minimize it
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. The risk of blood clots in deep veins of the leg due to travelling is more in those taking flights over 3 hours in duration.
2. Rarely a flight less than 3 hours might cause small blood clots in people having a tendency of clot formation. The incidence of pulmonary embolism from short duration flights is about than 0.35 percent as found in a research study.
3. Since you have got evaluated probably by a chest X ray and ultrasound Doppler of leg veins and the reports are normal, therefore the relative risk for clot formation is extremely low.
4. It is suggested that you take preventive steps to further reduce your risk by doing the following
(i) Please avoid sitting for long at the airport waiting area and take small strolls
(ii) When at your seat, please stretch your legs at the knee every 30 minutes.
(iii) You might also lift each knee for 2 -3 seconds keeping the knee bent, one at a time approximately every 30 minutes.
(iv) You might also wear a pair of flight socks
(v) Avoid alcohol before taking the flight
5. Having the above precautions in place, I wish you a comfortable journey in 3 days time.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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