"Tap and twist": preventing deep vein thrombosis in neuroscience patients through foot and ankle range-of-motion exercises.

Neurosurgical patients tend to have the highest rate of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) rate among other postsurgical patients. The methods and timing of DVT prevention and treatment continue to be debated among neurointensivists. The greatest opportunity to intervene is early during the stay in the intensive care unit.