Deep venous thrombosis
Since the deep veins in the legs can become filled with blood clots, the drainage of blood to the heart may be hindered, resulting in a thickened, swollen, painful leg.
Cause of deep venous thrombosis
Deep venous thrombosis occurs frequently in bed-bound patients, cancer patients, people who are dehydrated, in the presence of certain blood clotting disorders and after operations on the lower limbs. Wearing a plaster below the knee or long periods of immobilisation (during a long aeroplane journey) can also cause deep venous thrombosis.
Possible complication
When a piece of clot comes away and then lodges in the pulmonary artery, this is referred to as a pulmonary embolus. This is a life-threatening situation in which the patient may have chest pain, become short of breath and faint.
Possible treatments
- Giving blood thinners (anticoagulants) to prevent the clot from growing larger
- Local compression using an elastic bandage or stocking to promote drainage of the leg
- Analgesia
If these treatment options are insufficient or if they cannot be provided, in rare cases a filter can be placed in the patient’s abdomen to capture any clots that are released from the legs.
Follow-up is necessary to assess the blood thinning (anticoagulant) medication. This can be provided in the form of small injections under the skin on the abdomen (short-term treatment) or oral medication (long-term treatment).