Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein located deep inside your body. A blood clot is a clump of blood that’s turned to a solid state.
Deep vein blood clots typically form in your thigh or lower leg, but they can also develop in other areas of your body. Other names associated with this condition may include thromboembolism, post-thrombotic syndrome, and postphlebitic syndrome.

DVT symptoms

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of DVT only occur in about half of the people who have this condition. Common symptoms include:

  • swelling in your foot, ankle, or leg, usually on one side
  • cramping pain in your affected leg that usually begins in your calf
  • severe, unexplained pain in your foot and ankle
  • an area of skin that feels warmer than the skin on the surrounding areas
  • skin over the affected area turning pale or a reddish or bluish color
People with an upper extremity DVT, or a blood clot in the arm, may also not experience symptoms. If they do, common symptoms include:
  • neck pain
  • shoulder pain
  • swelling in the harm or hand
  • blue-tinted skin color
  • pain that moves from the arm to the forearm
  • weakness in the hand
People may not find out that they have deep vein thrombosis until they’ve gone through emergency treatment for a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung).
A pulmonary embolism can happen when a DVT clot has moved from the arm or leg into the lung. When an artery in the lung becomes blocked, it’s a life-threatening condition and requires emergency care.

CAUSES OF DVT

DVT is caused by a blood clot. The clot blocks a vein, preventing blood from properly circulating in your body. Clotting may occur for several reasons. These include:
  • Injury. Damage to a blood vessel’s wall can narrow or block blood flow. A blood clot may form as a result.
  • Surgery. Blood vessels can be damaged during surgery, which can lead to the development of a blood clot. Bed rest with little to no movement after surgery may also increase your risk for developing a blood clot.
  • Reduced mobility or inactivity. When you sit frequently, blood can collect in your legs, especially the lower parts. If you’re unable to move for extended periods of time, the blood flow in your legs can slow down. This can cause a clot to develop.
  • Certain medications. Some medications increase the chances your blood will form a clot.

TREATMENT

DVT is a serious medical condition. Tell your doctor right away if you think you’re experiencing symptoms of DVT or go to the closest emergency room. A healthcare provider can check out your symptoms.
DVT treatments focus on keeping the clot from growing. In addition, treatment may help prevent a pulmonary embolism and lower your risk of having more clots.

MEDICATION

Your doctor might prescribe medications that thin your blood, like heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), or fondaparinux (Arixtra). This makes it harder for your blood to clot. It also keeps existing clots as small as possible and decreases the chance that you’ll develop more clots.
If blood thinners don’t work, or if you have a severe case of DVT, your doctor might use thrombolytic drugs. People with upper extremity DVT may also benefit from this medication.
Thrombolytic drugs work by breaking up clots. You’ll receive these intravenously. Read more about these drugs and how they can help prevent and destroy blood clots.

 

Compression stockings

Wearing compression stockings can prevent swelling and might lower your chance of developing clots.
Compression stockings reach just below your knee or right above it. Your doctor may recommend you wear these every day.

Filters

You might need to have a filter put inside the large abdominal vein called the vena cava if you aren’t able to take blood thinners. This form of treatment helps prevent pulmonary embolisms by stopping clots from entering your lungs.
But filters do have risks. If they’re left in for too long, they can actually cause DVT. Filters should be used for a short-term period, until the risk of thromboembolism is reduced and blood thinning medications can be used.

SURGERYS

The doctor may suggest surgery to remove a DVT clot in the arm or leg. This is typically only recommended in the case of very large blood clots or clots that are causing serious issues, like tissue damage.
During a surgical thrombectomy, or surgery to remove a blood clot, your surgeon will make an incision into a blood vessel. They’ll locate and remove the clot. Then, they’ll repair the blood vessel and tissue.
In some cases, they may use a small inflating balloon to keep the blood vessel open while they remove the clot. When the clot is found and removed, the balloon is removed with it.
Surgery isn’t without risks; so many doctors will only use this treatment in severe cases. Risks include infection, damage to the blood vessel, and excess bleeding.

DVT EXERCISE

The longer you sit, the greater your risk of developing a blood clots. If you have to be seated for long periods, there are exercises you can do while sitting to keep your legs moving and help circulate blood.

Knee pulls

Bend your leg, and raise your knee toward your chest. Wrap your knee with your arms for a greater stretch. Hold this position for several seconds, then do the same exercise on the other side. Repeat these stretches several times.

Foot pumps

Place your feet flat on the floor. Keeping the balls of your feet on the floor, raise your heels. Hold for a few seconds, then lower the heels. Raise the balls of your feet off the floor, keeping your heels in place. Hold for a few seconds, then lower the balls of your feet.
Repeat these pumps several times.

 

Ankle circles

Lift both feet off the floor. Draw circles with your toes in one direction for a few seconds. Switch directions, and draw circles for a few seconds. Repeat this exercise several times.

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