Wells Score for DVT
Wells Score for DVT - a deterministic tool in Sophie Well's Clinical Scoring & Risk group.
Open the Wells Score for DVT → Runs in your browser. No signup, no tracking.
What this is
Score the Wells criteria for deep-vein thrombosis (Lancet 1997) - active cancer, paralysis or recent immobilization, recent bed rest >3 days or major surgery, localized tenderness along the deep venous system, entire-leg swelling, calf swelling >3 cm vs the asymptomatic side, pitting edema confined to the symptomatic leg, collateral superficial veins, prior DVT, and the -2 modifier for an alternative diagnosis at least as likely. Sophie Well returns the total and the published pretest-probability band.
When to use it
Use this in the workup of a swollen, painful lower limb to decide whether to go straight to compression ultrasound or to start with a D-dimer. The two-tier (likely / unlikely) interpretation is the version validated for the D-dimer rule-out path; it does not by itself diagnose DVT and does not apply to upper-extremity, post-thrombotic, or pregnancy-related presentations.
References
Wells PS, et al. Value of assessment of pretest probability of deep-vein thrombosis. Lancet. 1997;350(9094):1795-1798.
Worked example: Wells DVT total 3 (High probability).
Sophie Well is a reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice. Does not replace clinician judgment, professional billing review, or legal counsel.