Thrombosis of the lower extremities

Thrombosis of the extremities is the formation of blood clots in the lumen of the vessels, in this case, in the lower limbs. In medicine, there are arterial and venous thromboses. Thrombosis of superficial veins of the lower limbs is thrombophlebitis, deep vein thrombosis of the extremities - phlebothrombosis.

The causes of thrombosis of the lower extremities

There are three factors that contribute to the formation of thrombosis of the lower extremities.

This is a state of hypercoagulability, in other words, increased blood coagulability. There are many reasons for increasing blood clotting. This pregnancy, surgery, childbirth, excess fats in food, diabetes, dehydration, oral contraceptives, genetic factors, etc.

The next factor is the trauma of the inner wall of the vessel, otherwise the endothelium. The vascular wall may be injured by the installation of a venous catheter, with radiation therapy, trauma, chemotherapy, with injection into the veins of the shin, etc.

The next factor is the slowing of the blood flow. This phenomenon can be observed in pregnancy, obesity, varicose veins, limb immobilization( for example, wearing gypsum), also with heart failure, involuntary sedentary body position, with the compression of veins, etc. Thrombosis of the extremities can develop with the action of one factor and with theirCombination.

Clinical manifestations of thrombosis of lower extremities

There is a thrombosis of deep and superficial veins of the lower extremities. Deep vein thrombosis is very dangerous. A clot can come off and migrate to the pulmonary artery( this is pulmonary embolism).This leads to very serious consequences, even to instant death.

In varicose veins, the superficial veins of the lower extremities are most often affected. Associated with obstruction of blood vessels inflammation of surrounding tissues.

In the field of varicose veins, tenderness, redness usually appears on the lower leg. The vein itself in the reddening zone is found to be dense during palpation. This may increase body temperature. Thrombophlebitis of superficial veins as a whole is not dangerous, since there is no clot laceration. With proper treatment, inflammatory conditions decrease, in part or in whole, the patency of the veins is restored with time.

A large subcutaneous vein passes under the skin along the inner surface of the leg from the ankle to the inguinal fold. In the groin, the vein flows into the femoral deep vein. Therefore, thrombophlebitis is dangerous precisely by the transition of thrombosis from the superficial vein to the deep vein - this is an ascending thrombophlebitis. But thrombosis of the femoral vein is dangerous with thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery. With signs of thrombosis, you urgently need to see a surgeon.

Rare, but a similar situation occurs with thrombophlebitis of a small vein( subcutaneous).It passes along the back of the shin, flowing into the popliteal vein in the popliteal fossa.

What is the treatment for lower limb thrombosis?

Symptoms of thrombosis are quite serious reasons for contacting a phlebologist. To determine the condition of thrombi and the permeability of deep veins, ultrasonic duplex scanning is necessary. With a small area of ​​thrombosis of the lower limbs and the defeat of the subcutaneous veins, treatment is carried out at home. Specialist anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to the patient. Compresses are applied twice a day or overnight, which are fixed with an elastic bandage. A special ointment is applied to the skin of the foot and covered with cotton wool soaked in vodka, then wrapped in foil. Such procedures are carried out only after the recommendation of a specialist.

In thrombosis of venous nodes, a procedure is necessary - removal of thrombi by puncture. With thrombophlebitis of veins( subcutaneous), the vein is ligated under local anesthesia.

For deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities, immediate hospitalization, assessment of the condition with ultrasound, and surgical procedures are necessary. This is the removal of blood clots, otherwise thrombectomy and, if thrombi are mobile, vein ligation. With fixed thrombi appoint a drug that helps to thin the blood, elastic bandages are applied. People suffering from varicose veins, for the prevention of thrombosis of the lower limbs, are recommended: wearing special stockings and elastic bandages, copious drinking and walking daily at a slow pace.