Anticoagulant drugs can prevent deep vein thrombosis and related complications after total knee arthroplasty. Traditional anticoagulant drugs (unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin, warfarin, etc.) take preventive effects. At present, some new oral anticoagulants (rivaroxaban, apixababan) have been widely used in clinical practice to provide patients with a safer, more convenient and effective option for the prevention of postoperative venous thrombosis. This review focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of traditional anticoagulants such as low molecular weight heparin, vitamin K antagonists, and novel oral anticoagulants rivaroxaban, apixaban. Clinical comparison of traditional anticoagulant drugs with novel oral anticoagulants is taken to provide a reference.