Thrombophlebitis is a blood clot (thrombus) inside an inflamed vein. It mainly affects the body’s superficial veins — those that are seen easily near the surface of the skin, especially in the legs. Thrombophlebitis is very common in people who have varicose veins. However, it also can occur in people with medical conditions that lead to sluggish blood flow in the legs, especially pregnant women and people who are immobilized because of stroke or cancer. People who receive injections or medications intravenously (into a vein) also are more likely to get thrombophlebitis.
Symptoms
Thrombophlebitis causes pain in the area of the clotted vein, together with redness and sometimes swelling in the surrounding skin.
Diagnosis
Medical consultation with a Phlebologist (or angiologist, vascular surgeon, dermatologist) is mandatory and urgent, because phlebitis of superficial veins can lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Prognosis
Thrombophlebitis often cures automatically after delivery for pregnant women. However, for people suffering with varicose veins, thrombophlebitis might be prevented by usage of support stockings, regularly strolls, and sitting posture with elevated leg position.
Medical tip
Basic therapy against this medical condition is medical compression stockings like
Medical compression stockings are prescribed by the doctor if required, and the patients are measured for the correct fit by specialist medical retailers (e.g. surgical appliance dealers): the user’s leg circumferences are measured in several places so that the compression stocking matches his anatomy exactly.
