Guideline Development Group

Action Statement 5: IDENTIFY THE LIKELIHOOD OF LE DVT WHEN SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS ARE PRESENT

Physical therapists should establish the likelihood of LE DVT when the patient presents with pain, tenderness, swelling, warmth, and/or discoloration in the lower extremity. (Evidence Quality: II; Recommendation Strength: Moderate)

Action Statement Profile

Aggregate Evidence Quality: Level II

Benefit: Early intervention and prevention of adverse effects of LE DVT.

Risk, Harm, Cost: None

Benefit-Harm Assessment: Preponderance of benefit over harm

Value Judgments: While the Wells’ Criteria for LE DVT is recommended by this GDG, there are other tools that may be preferred by other inter-professional teams.

Intentional Vagueness: None

Role of Patient Preference: None

Exclusions: None