Higher Activity Levels May Reduce VTE Risk After Knee Replacement

Study finds lower postoperative step counts linked to higher rates of venous thromboembolism in TKA patients.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting found that higher activity levels in the immediate postoperative recovery period after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may reduce the risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). Researchers analyzed insurance claims data from 617 patients who received a smart implantable device during TKA and found that lower cumulative step counts were associated with significantly higher rates of VTE compared to those with higher step counts.

Why it matters

This research suggests that activity level is a modifiable risk factor for VTE after TKA, as technology can now be used to monitor patient activity and potentially prevent this serious complication. Identifying ways to encourage higher activity levels in the recovery period could lead to better outcomes for TKA patients.

The details

The study compared cumulative step counts in the postoperative recovery period (weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12) between patients with and without VTE. Researchers found that a lower cumulative step count was associated with significantly higher rates of VTE compared to those with a higher cumulative step count at postoperative weeks 4, 8 and 12. Patients in the lower step count group were also 2.6 times more likely to develop VTE than those in the higher step count group.

  • The study reviewed insurance claims data from patients who received a smart implantable device during TKA between October 2021 and November 2024.

The players

Michele R. D'Apuzzo, MD

A researcher from the University of Miami who presented the study findings at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting.

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What they’re saying

“As technology keeps developing, we want to use technology to our advantage and for the benefit of our patients. This is very promising as we are able to collect more and more data, and we are able to prevent more and more complications.”

— Michele R. D'Apuzzo, MD, Researcher, University of Miami (Healio)

What’s next

D'Apuzzo said his group plans to do further analysis on the data from this study to see what other complications can be avoided, especially with the potential of 24-hour at-home patient monitoring.

The takeaway

This study highlights the potential for using activity tracking technology to identify and address modifiable risk factors for complications like venous thromboembolism after total knee replacement surgery. By encouraging higher activity levels in the recovery period, healthcare providers may be able to improve outcomes for TKA patients.