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Often a person's legs become swollen. This indicates that his body is not functioning properly. The volume of fluid contained in the cells, as well as in the intercellular space, is likely increased. Excessive amounts of fluid can come from the vascular bed due to many factors. Thus, the causes of swelling of the leg below the knee may be due to an imbalance of water balance. This symptom is dangerous to health. If your leg is red, swollen and painful, you should consult a doctor to identify the causes of the pathology. Symptoms can indicate many different diseases.
During normal functioning of the body, small human capillaries remove all the liquid that accumulates in the intercellular space. Subsequently, it is transported through the veins . The functioning of capillaries may be impaired due to changes in the permeability of the vessel walls, as well as blood pressure and sodium and protein levels in the blood. Due to a malfunction in the mechanisms, water output is disrupted. As a result of this, edema forms.
Most often, a person notices marks from the elastic bands of socks, as well as discomfort while moving. After a short time, without treatment, the place where the swelling is located becomes more noticeable, the shape of the legs may change slightly.
As a rule, swelling appears in the late afternoon . Especially if a person walked a lot during the day, drank liquids or ate a lot of junk food.
If swelling appears due to a pathology in the body, then it can occur at any time of the day. This defect is almost impossible to eliminate without the use of drugs.
Certain symptoms indicate illness:
This happens due to the following:
It happens that the left leg swells from the knee to the foot due to allergies to medications, foods, and insect bites. In this case, you should stop taking the allergen, and then take Suprastin.
Sometimes swelling of parts of the ankle appears due to fasting. There is a lack of protein in the body. In this case, you should normalize your diet. If the condition is advanced, you may need the help of a nutritionist who will correctly formulate a diet.
In addition, swelling may be due to limb injury . In this case, a hematoma occurs at the site of the injury, which forms after a few days. The leg doesn't move well.
But you cannot diagnose yourself; you need to know the structure of the leg below the knee, the causes of swelling and the prerequisites for the disease. If there are violations, you should consult a specialist in order to choose the right treatment and avoid complications.
First of all, you can contact a therapist. If necessary, he will send you for examination to a cardiologist, nephrologist, or endocrinologist.
If the knee is swollen, the person does not feel well. There is discomfort when bending the leg. Swelling may also indicate a metabolic disorder in the body, a malfunction of internal organs, infection or allergies.
Many people are confident that if there is swelling in the knees, but there is no pain in the leg, there is no danger. But this statement is erroneous, because the degree of complexity of tissue damage does not always determine pain. In this case, serious diagnostics are needed.
Knee swelling may be due to a knee injury that has not received sufficient treatment. This also provokes swelling of the knee joint. If measures are not taken, swelling and pain will intensify until they become chronic. This threatens that the patient will experience deformation of the joints in the area of the kneecap, and the functions of the musculoskeletal system may also suffer.
If your knee is swollen, but there is no bruise, you should understand the causes of the swelling. Knee swelling itself is unpleasant . Movement is limited and there is a lot of inconvenience .
The causes of this disease can be different: both diseases and injuries. Sometimes the leg below the knee swells, and the cause may be pelvic vascular disease.
When the knee is swollen, pain occurs, accompanied by redness of the skin and impaired mobility, the inability to fully straighten and bend the leg.
The causes of the disease may be:
If a limb is swollen around the foot, you can do the following.
If the water balance in the human body is disturbed, salt should be removed from the diet. Drink no more than two liters of liquid per day. Thanks to this, the kidneys will function normally and successfully remove excess fluid from the body.
If people sit for a long time at their workplace or stand, it is better to treat edema using elastic stockings (wearing), massage of the feet, calves, and contrast foot baths. If a person has heart failure, the doctor prescribes diuretics that normalize heart function, a special diet and exercise.
If there is swelling due to thrombophlebitis and varicose veins, treatment is also carried out under the supervision of a doctor. He prescribes ultrasound, venography and Doppler ultrasound for the patient.
To successfully get rid of swollen legs, the underlying disease must be eliminated. To get rid of accumulated fluid in the leg below the knee, the doctor prescribes diuretics and medications that improve microcirculation.
To alleviate swelling of the legs at home, you can do the following:
Traditional medicine offers the following methods. Taking a diuretic has an excellent effect. It consists of horsetail, birch and knotweed. Decoctions of elderberries and flaxseed have a similar effect.
However, it must be remembered that any medicine, even herbs, should be taken after consulting a specialist. This is especially true for pregnant women and people suffering from diseases of the heart and blood vessels, kidneys or metabolism.
Edema with thrombophlebitis forms only in case of exacerbation of the pathological condition. The chronic course of the disease is characterized by mild specific symptoms. Moreover, the external manifestations of the disease are so insignificant that a person rarely seeks medical help to relieve the disease. Such a sign in thrombophlebitis is one of the first alarming signals, indicating a violation of the functionality of the vascular bed.
In the acute phase of development of the inflammatory-thrombotic process in the venous line, the patient complains not only of severe pain throughout its entire length, but also of significant swelling of the limb where the pathogenic area is localized. In addition to specific treatment, the patient is advised to adhere to strict bed rest with an elevated position of the affected limb. This allows you to simultaneously not only reduce the intensity of pain and prevent the generalization of pathology, but also relieve swelling in thrombophlebitis.
Varicose veins are the terrible “plague of the 21st century.” 57% of patients die within 10 years of.
In most clinical cases, it is possible to eliminate the symptoms of the pathological condition and restore the patency of the veins using conservative treatment methods. In some situations, when a person is diagnosed with thrombophlebitis and the leg is swollen in all its parts, the patient needs urgent hospitalization and therapy, which includes not only medications, but also surgical methods to eliminate the causes of the disease.
If the damage to the vascular lines is protracted, with thrombophlebitis the legs swell after a long stay in an upright position or when using uncomfortable, excessively narrow shoes. The appearance of such a symptom in the peripheral parts of the legs occurs against the background of the development of increased fatigue syndrome of the lower extremities. Manifestations of this condition intensify as the pathology worsens. In the initial stages of the disease, swelling of the leg with thrombophlebitis goes away on its own after the patient rests. It is possible to speed up the process if you use cool foot baths and then elevate your limbs.
As the pathological process develops, it is necessary to make efforts not only to eliminate, but also to prevent the formation of congestion in the lower extremities. If a person is diagnosed with thrombophlebitis, local application of ointments belonging to the group of venotonics helps relieve swelling. They have anti-inflammatory and regenerating effects. Regular wearing of individually selected therapeutic compression hosiery can also prevent the formation of swelling.
This symptom is a sign of a serious illness, so if it appears, you should not try to cope with it yourself. Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe effective therapeutic measures.
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Among vascular diseases, there is one that doctors consider the most insidious, with consequences that are difficult to predict. This is thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities. This is the name of the inflammatory process of the venous walls, which leads to the formation of a blood clot in the venous lumen. A disease that develops in the vessels of the legs is the most common form. But sometimes ( albeit much less frequently ) other forms occur - thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities, as well as the cervical and thoracic regions.
Each person has a network of veins located on the surface ( under the skin ) and hidden in deeper layers. Depending on this, two types of the disease are distinguished:
Sometimes the walls of the venous vessels become inflamed, but a blood clot does not form. In this case, the disease is called phlebitis.
There are many reasons that cause thrombophlebitis. But the following are considered the main ones:
In addition, thrombophlebitis can occur after infection from outside. An example of such a case is described in the video below:
A characteristic feature of the disease is that the symptoms of thrombophlebitis most often appear when the disease has already spread over large areas. And in the initial stage, most patients do not even suspect that their body is in danger, which is that the blood clot rises too high. At the same time, the likelihood of its tearing off significantly increases, after which it goes “free floating” through the vascular system. It is impossible to predict its movement. The most dangerous is considered to be the entry of a detached blood clot into the blood vessels of the lungs, leading to embolism ( blocking ) of an artery of the respiratory system. This can cause instant ( sudden ) death.
As the blood clot grows, it affects ( and can subsequently lead to blockage ) the main veins. What causes chronic venous insufficiency? In this case, the treatment of thrombophlebitis is significantly complicated.
The onset of inflammation in the venous vessels is indicated by the following signs, which most people do not always pay attention to:
In most cases, patients seek medical help when the disease progresses. At the same time, the swelling of the legs increases, and in the area of the formation of a blood clot, the skin acquires a bluish tint. In a neglected state, the limb may turn black. The blood clot is usually located in the veins of the thigh, leg, or ankle.
Thrombophlebitis of superficial veins (left) and deep veins (right)
There are certain categories of people that doctors classify as a so-called risk group. They have the highest risk of thrombophlebitis. These include:
There are several subtypes of thrombophlebitis:
Signs of thrombophlebitis are most clearly manifested in the acute course of the disease, which begins with the appearance of sharp pain along the direction of blood flow of the affected vein. In this case, a noticeable change in the color of the skin is observed. It becomes cyanotic with an expanded network of blood vessels on the surface. Against the background of increased body temperature, the sore leg remains cold. The pain seems to be bursting through her. Instinctively, the patient tries to keep it elevated, trying to reduce the pain syndrome.
At the first symptoms of acute thrombophlebitis, you should immediately call a doctor and put the patient to bed. At the same time, before the arrival of doctors, it is strictly forbidden to carry out any treatment ( rubbing in ointments, performing massage procedures , applying compresses, etc.). This can cause part of the blood clot to break off and carry it into the lungs or other internal organs.
Blood clot detachment during exacerbation of thrombophlebitis
In addition, the acute form of thrombophlebitis very quickly turns into complications - gangrenous or ischemic thrombophlebitis, white or blue phlegmasia. They are accompanied by increased pain and swelling, literally every minute. The skin first turns pale, then acquires a purple tint. Therefore, the faster medical assistance is provided, the greater the likelihood of avoiding serious consequences.
Treatment for the acute form of the disease is selected based on the condition of the blood vessels, the nature of the disease, and the location of the blood clot. Typically, conservative therapy is used for this, which includes local and general treatment. Patients diagnosed with acute thrombophlebitis of the forearm and lower leg can be treated on an outpatient basis. For all other types, patients are sent to the hospital. They are prescribed bed rest, the sore leg is in an elevated state.
Local therapy includes the following procedures:
After the acute inflammatory process has been relieved, to increase the efficiency of thrombus resorption, physiotherapeutic treatment with a Sollux lamp, diametric currents, and UHF is recommended. Good results are obtained by iontophoresis with heparin, proteolytic enzymes ( chymotrypsin, trypsin, etc. ), as well as with potassium iodide. Elastic compression should be continued for another two months after completion of the main treatment, while taking phlebodynamic drugs.
Surgical intervention is performed in emergency cases, for the following indications:
In the treatment of ascending thrombophlebitis, laser obliteration is also used, the essence of which is to heat the vein wall just above the thrombus. This allows you to remove pathological venous nodes from the main vessels, stopping the growth of a blood clot with an inflammatory process. An alternative technique for conducting a laser beam directed opposite to the movement of blood flow helps eliminate the likelihood of pushing a blood clot into the vessels. It is unique at this moment in time.
In case of ascending thrombophlebitis, an effective method that does not allow a blood clot to develop and penetrate into deep vessels is an operation associated with ligation of the place where the superficial vein passes into the deep one. It's called a crossectomy. The manipulation is performed using local anesthesia on an outpatient basis.
During sclerotization of blood vessels affected by varicose veins, sometimes a violation of the compression sclerotherapy technique occurs. At the same time, reduced compression of the vein at the site of administration ( injection ) of the sclerosant often leads to inflammation. A blood clot begins to form in the lumen of the veins, with the threat of developing into a subsequent pulmonary embolism. This complication is called post-injection thrombophlebitis. To avoid it, it is recommended to increase compression by using foam rubber and latex pillows, as well as special-purpose adhesive bandages.
Post-injection form using the example of a hand, following the insertion of a catheter
In particular, insufficient compression results in the occurrence of intravenous hematomas, which externally resemble areas of veins with blood clots. In their lumen a tar-like mass is visible, containing sclerosant and blood clots. It is intravenous hematomas that lead to acute thrombophlebitis.
Treatment of post-injection thrombophlebitis involves applying bandages with medicinal ointments, using elastic compression and appropriate medications ( as in the acute form ). Sometimes, a special incisional puncture is made in the vein to remove the bloody sclerosant mass.
Chronic thrombophlebitis, unlike the acute form, does not have pronounced signs and symptoms. In this form of the disease, pain is periodic in nature, mainly bothering after putting stress on the legs (long walking, etc.). At rest they are practically absent. Swelling is also minor. Therefore, a person is in no hurry to seek medical help.
In the treatment of the chronic form, an ointment for thrombophlebitis is used, constant elastic compression using special bandages or stockings, physical therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures and treatment at balneological resorts and mud baths are recommended.
One of the most common acute forms of the disease is the varicose type of thrombophlebitis, which is accompanied by intense pain, redness in the direction of the vein, reaching the groin area. In this form of the disease, the vein with blood clots is surrounded by pronounced swelling, and the vein itself becomes tense. As the blood clot develops, the swelling moves to deeper veins, which is a very dangerous symptom. The main symptom of this form of thrombophlebitis is severe pain while walking, as well as with any touch to the varicose vein. The disease is accompanied by high fever and weakness, reminiscent of the symptoms of a common cold.
Varicose veins and thrombophlebitis are interrelated diseases. Often, varicose veins provoke the development of blood clots in the superficial and deeper veins, as they are characterized by a slow blood flow rate in the main nodes. In this case, thrombophlebitis is the most serious complication of varicose veins. It much more often turns into thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery and becomes the cause of postthrombophlebitis syndrome.
When treating thrombophlebitis caused by varicose veins, anti-inflammatory therapy is used to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. It includes hormonal ointments, compresses with 50% alcohol, as well as suppositories with diclofenac or butidione.
An obstacle to the transition of thrombophlebitis to veins located in deeper layers is elastic compression with special knitted underwear ( stockings, tights ) or bandages. To reduce swelling and inflammation, drugs are prescribed to improve blood circulation - Anistax, Detralex, etc.
Pregnancy is the period during which a woman is most often exposed to diseases such as varicose veins of the lower extremities and thrombophlebitis. This is due to an increase in their intrauterine pressure and physiological changes in blood composition. Thrombophlebitis poses the greatest danger in the first days of the postpartum period. Since most complications in the form of thromboembolism occur after childbirth. Childbirth is a huge overload on the vascular system.
All this leads to disruption of natural blood flow in the lower extremities and the formation of blood clots.
The first signs of varicose veins are usually observed in the second trimester of pregnancy, when the expectant mother begins to noticeably gain weight. First, it is the appearance of spider veins on the skin of the lower legs, thighs or ankles, then the veins become enlarged and pain occurs. In the evening, the legs begin to swell more and more often, and sometimes cramps occur.
As soon as these symptoms occur, you must immediately consult a phlebologist. He will conduct a duplex color scan to examine the state of the circulatory system and give recommendations on how to prevent the development of a more severe form of the disease and avoid complex treatment.
During this period, prevention of thrombophlebitis is very important, which includes the following:
Thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins during pregnancy is often accompanied by severe pain. It must be remembered that taking medications is not recommended during this period. Venocentesis will help quickly relieve the patient of discomfort and prevent the blood clot from penetrating into the veins located in the deeper layers . This is a puncture of the affected node to remove the blood clot. This method is safe for the fetus, since the manipulation is performed under local tumescent anesthesia ( an anesthetic drug is injected under the skin, forming a protective cushion around the operated vessel ).
In some cases, for the treatment of varicose veins, a phlebologist may decide to prescribe the drug Detralex. But there is a limitation: it can be used by expectant mothers only in the second half of pregnancy. This is an effective drug for the treatment of varicose veins of any stage and other diseases of the circulatory system, which is considered completely safe. It contains components of plant origin. It does not change the composition of the blood, but only increases the tone of the walls of blood vessels. It has no side effects, but there is a possibility of an allergic reaction.
But in the treatment of thrombophlebitis it gives positive results in combination with disaggregants and thrombolytic drugs. It is rarely used as an independent treatment for thrombosis , mainly to relieve attacks of chronic venous insufficiency. But it is often prescribed after surgical treatment of thrombophlebitis, as a maintenance, long-term therapy.
Treatment of thrombophlebitis with folk remedies will help alleviate the course of the disease, reduce pain and swelling in the legs, and relieve other symptoms. These are methods that have been proven over more than one generation. Some of them are much more effective than drugs of synthetic origin. Beekeeping products are considered the most effective against this disease: honey, propolis and dead bees. We offer several recipes using these products.
**The body of a bee contains substances that are part of various medications. These are poison, nectar and pollen, propolis and microparticles of wax. It is essentially a ready-made medicine, only in microscopic doses.
External remedies alone are sometimes not enough to get rid of the disease. Traditional medicine also recommends taking orally decoctions of medicinal herbs that improve blood circulation and increase the elasticity of the walls of venous vessels.
** Young nettle can be used to make kvass, which has medicinal properties and invigorates. To prepare it, pick fresh nettles. Rinse well, you can scald with boiling water. Place it in a three-liter jar, add three tablespoons of sugar and pour boiling water over it. Tie the neck with gauze and place in a warm place for three to four days to ferment. After the kvass has fermented, strain and you can begin treatment , drinking half a glass three times a day 20 minutes before meals.
All proposed methods of treatment with folk remedies must be agreed upon with the attending physician before use . It is better to use them in combination with drug therapy.
Medical luminaries have been arguing for many years about the need for physical exercise for diseases of the veins of the lower extremities. Some argue that complete rest is necessary, others are ardent supporters of physical activity. Both are right.
During the period of exacerbation, when the risk of blood clot rupture and serious complications occurring is quite high, it is necessary to maintain bed rest without exposing the sore legs to stress. During this period, thermal baths and all types of massage are strictly prohibited.
But, upon completion of treatment, during the rehabilitation period, as well as as a preventive measure for the disease, exercises that help increase the elasticity of the venous walls and improve blood circulation are very useful. The only condition is not to overdo it. The complex of therapeutic gymnastics includes the following exercises:
All these exercises effectively massage the veins and prevent stagnation of blood in the veins. By following all the doctor’s instructions and taking preventive measures, you can get rid of the unpleasant symptoms that accompany the disease and avoid complications that require long-term treatment.
One of the causes of the described disease is obesity. Therefore, everyone who is susceptible to any disease of the venous system needs to limit themselves in the consumption of certain foods.
For example, the diet for thrombophlebitis ( for the period of treatment ) recommends avoiding fried, spicy, too salty and spicy foods. It is advisable to refrain from fatty fish and meats and include dietary varieties in your diet: chicken breasts, rabbit, turkey. There should always be fresh vegetables and fruits on the table, except bananas, peas and beans.
In winter, take multivitamins. Make it a rule to eat a clove of garlic every day, and be sure to eat onions.
People who are at risk for thrombophlebitis need to be very attentive to the condition of their hands and feet. Follow the recommendations given by the phlebologist. You should lead an active lifestyle. Try to walk more, master special exercises that prevent the development of the disease. It's good to go swimming and ride a bike. At home, you can maintain the tone of blood vessels with vitamin teas, drink cranberry juice and St. John's wort tincture more often.
At the same time, avoid static tension, which occurs when a person sits or stands for a long time (for example, working at a machine). Steam baths and dehydration are contraindicated for thrombophlebitis. Shoes should be as comfortable as possible, with optimal heel height and orthopedic insoles. It is recommended to rest while lying down, slightly raising your legs and placing a small pillow under them. Compression garments should also be worn while lying down, with your legs raised up.
As a rule, swelling indicates that nearby lymph nodes cannot cope with the load and cease to fully evacuate lymph from the affected area. Typically, swelling spreads to neighboring areas, for example, with liver cancer, swelling of the limbs is observed.
Edema syndrome in cancer patients can be associated with several reasons:
Symptoms of edema depend on the location of the tumor. For example, in a patient with lung cancer, fluid from large arteries leaks into nearby soft tissue. Symptoms such as decreased urine output and weight gain appear. Subsequently, pronounced swelling of the legs develops, the sensitivity of the skin changes, it becomes dry and flaky. When pressing on a swollen limb, a dimple appears that persists for several minutes.
In breast cancer, swelling of the breast tissue is associated with impaired lymphatic drainage due to an increase in the size of the chest area and arm.
In patients with liver cancer, swelling is associated with blockage of the inferior vena cava or involvement of lymph nodes. The pathological process involves the lumbar region and legs. Swelling of the legs due to liver cancer is complicated by ascites, an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, which causes the abdomen to become enlarged. It takes on a dome shape, which is maintained even in a lying position. In patients with stage 4 liver cancer, swelling is accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms - weakness, abdominal pain, shortness of breath and others.
Facial swelling is observed due to compression of the lymphatic and blood vessels in the mediastinum. Because of this, the tissues of the neck are also involved in the process, and the palpebral fissure and pupils narrow.
Swelling of the legs in oncology also occurs due to damage to the stomach and pancreas. The limbs become swollen both due to anemia and the inability to eat properly. It is swelling of the lower extremities that is often an early sign of an oncological process in the gastrointestinal tract.
An oncologist is involved in identifying edema and treating it in cancer patients.
Diagnostic measures in patients with oncology are carried out in order to clarify the cause of edema - whether they are caused by the underlying disease or associated with concomitant pathologies. To do this, the doctor prescribes:
It is known that edema associated with lymph stagnation can affect the rate of spread of cancer cells. That is why it is necessary to relieve the unpleasant symptom as soon as possible and remove excess fluid. To achieve this, several therapeutic measures are carried out:
All these methods help remove stagnation of excess fluid, but the procedures are carried out only under the supervision of a doctor. Skin care involves daily cleansing and moisturizing to prevent infection. Swelling of the legs due to cancer is in some cases alleviated by applying a compression bandage or wearing tight tights. Read more about compression hosiery>
Compression therapy involves installing a pneumatic compression pump that compresses the tissue, preventing fluid from accumulating. The main disadvantage of this method is the possibility of worsening the condition and a feeling of discomfort.
Manual lymphatic drainage massage helps to improve the drainage of lymph from the swollen area. The procedure is carried out only by a specialist.
Physical exercises for edema should be light, strengthen muscles and support the patient’s physical activity. They are carried out in special compression tights or with pressure bandages.
Following a diet will help relieve swelling a little. The patient should not eat a lot of salty and carbohydrate foods; if the kidneys are damaged, the amount of protein foods should be reduced.
As a medicinal treatment, drugs are prescribed that remove fluid from the body - Canephron, Furosemide, Veroshpiron and others. Various ointments are prescribed as local remedies - Troxevasin, heparin ointment and others.
Patients suffering from cancer are advised to monitor their weight - obesity aggravates the situation. It is necessary to care for the skin of the extremities, moisturize it with cream, and avoid injury. It is unacceptable to apply warming or cooling compresses. When sitting motionless for a long time, you should move your legs more often and warm up.
When edema appears in people with cancer, the situation should be assessed holistically, taking into account all the symptoms and the treatment being given. It is prohibited to prescribe treatment on your own without the help of specialists - the consequences can be very serious.
Thrombophlebitis is a venous disease caused by the formation of a blood clot and inflammation of the vascular wall.
The inflammatory process can develop, as with an existing blood clot (thrombosis), or, on the contrary, inflammation of the venous wall leads to further thrombus formation.
The causes of the disease may be:
In the clinical picture, the symptoms of thrombophlebitis are expressed more as signs of an inflammatory process than as a violation of venous outflow.
In case of acute thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities: treatment can only be conservative (non-surgical), aimed at eliminating the symptoms, and only after the inflammation has stopped, radical measures are used - surgical removal of the affected veins.
Depending on the location of the pathological process, thrombophlebitis of the legs is divided into 2 groups:
Thrombophlebitis always has an acute course . There is no official term “chronic thrombophlebitis” in medicine; this phrase refers to the recurrent course of varicothrombophlebitis, or the possible consequences of acute thrombosis or post-thrombotic disease.
General symptoms of acute thrombophlebitis, both deep and superficial veins, have the same clinical picture :
When the veins of the leg are affected by the pathological process, patients complain of pain in the calf muscles, which intensifies with physical activity and prolonged standing.
The swelling begins in the lower leg and does not spread to the area above the knees; it is expressed by a burning sensation and swelling in the limb. The skin has a pale, marbled color, with a clearly visible venous pattern. When pressing the calf muscle with your fingers, the patient feels pain.
With phlebothrombosis of the veins of the femoral-popliteal segment, the patient feels acute pain in the popliteal region. The swelling starts in the lower leg and spreads to the middle of the thigh. The skin throughout the limb has a marbled tint, with an enhanced venous pattern protruding in the femoral part.
Phlebothrombosis of the pelvis and thigh is designated by the term “ileofemoral thrombosis” . The pain is expressed in the calf muscles, along the front of the thigh and in the groin area. The affected limb is swollen to the groin area, hot to the touch.
There are primary (non-traumatic) and secondary (traumatic) thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins.
Primary is caused by the transition of inflammation from surrounding tissues to the vein, followed by the formation of a blood clot. Secondary develops as a result of mechanical damage to the vein during medical procedures (injections, surgeries).
Patients complain of acute throbbing pain in the extremities. The skin at the site of the lesion is hot, swollen and inflamed, an infiltrate forms on its surface, painful to the touch. With a purulent abscess, the infiltrate softens and the skin acquires a bluish tint.
Postthrombophlebic disease or chronic venous insufficiency develops in many patients who have undergone deep vein phlebothrombosis.
Depending on the severity of symptoms, there are three degrees of post-thrombotic disease:
Treatment of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities, in the acute stage, is most often conservative (non-surgical therapy), less often - surgical, in cases where there is a likelihood of complications in the form of pulmonary embolism , or the condition threatens the patient’s life.
Diagnosis and treatment are carried out by a surgeon - phlebologist. Therapy is carried out in most cases in a hospital setting in a surgical or specialized angiosurgical department, if available.
General principles of conservative therapy for acute thrombosis:
Phlebothrombosis is an indication for immediate hospitalization . Patients are transported to the hospital in a lying position; bed rest is indicated.
If dangerous thrombosis with a risk of thromboembolism is detected, surgical treatment is indicated for all patients.
If the threat of pulmonary embolism is not identified, patients are recommended to get up earlier, special gymnastics to improve blood flow with the mandatory use of elastic compression on the limbs.
Treatment of thrombophlebitis of the deep veins of the lower extremities. Drug therapy is indicated for all patients with phlebothrombosis , it includes:
Local treatment is aimed at reducing the temperature of the affected limb and eliminating inflammation.
The following surgical methods are used:
Acute thrombophlebitis is always treated conservatively (not surgically), including:
Thrombophlebitis in varicose veins, after eliminating inflammation, undergoes surgical treatment based on removal of the thrombosed segment of the vein.
Therapeutic methods for treating postthrombotic disease in people who have undergone phlebothrombosis are aimed at eliminating local symptoms, improving blood properties, stimulating lymphatic drainage, and preventing relapses.
Surgical tactics are indicated for patients with varicose veins to improve blood flow in the affected limb.
In the treatment of acute thrombosis, the following groups of drugs are used:
Thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities: surgery. The goals of radical surgical treatment are to prevent thromboembolism and restore vein patency.
There are direct and indirect methods of surgical intervention.
Direct methods include removal of trunks and varicose tributaries of the large and small saphenous veins, and correction of valves.
They can be used in a limited number of patients, involve the development of complications, including those associated with general anesthesia, and do not exclude repeated relapses. Therefore, preference is given to indirect or endovascular methods.
Endovascular interventions are performed under the control of specialized video equipment. They are performed under local anesthesia, are low-traumatic and allow you to specifically target the lesion.
Using special devices, the clot is removed or crushed into particles comparable to blood elements, thereby restoring blood flow. In case of a wandering thrombus, a vena cava filter is installed to prevent pulmonary embolism.
Traditional methods of treatment for thrombosis can be used after stopping the inflammatory process in the acute stage and in chronic thrombophlebitis as an auxiliary therapy.
Treatment of thrombophlebitis with folk remedies. It is advisable to take medicinal decoctions of diuretic plants internally: lingonberry leaves, bearberry leaves.
To eliminate edema, it is recommended to use herbal decoctions containing rutin - rose hips, currants, St. John's wort. It is useful to brew buckwheat (a source of rutin) in a thermos without adding sugar and salt and take it on an empty stomach.
Also, for the treatment of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities at home, decoctions of the fruits and flowers of horse chestnuts are used. Because it reduces capillary permeability, prevents the formation of blood clots, and relieves swelling.
Treatment of the lower extremities with leeches. Hirudotherapy refers to methods of alternative medicine and can be used in the treatment of acute thrombophlebitis , or as its prevention in people with venous insufficiency.
The salivary glands of the leech contain a large amount of natural anticoagulant hirudin , which, when released into the blood, thins it, increasing blood flow, preventing the development of blood clots.
In case of existing thrombosis, hirudin blocks further growth of the thrombotic mass, and the enzyme destabilase, also secreted with leech saliva, is able to dissolve the thrombus.
Massage for thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities. In the acute stage of thrombophlebitis or phlebothrombosis, massage is contraindicated due to the risk of developing pulmonary embolism. Massage is useful during the rehabilitation stage and as a prevention of thrombosis. It affects blood capillaries, improves overall lymph and blood flow. The main massage techniques for venous insufficiency are stroking and rubbing the limb .
Stroking should be performed along the vein, starting from bottom to top. It helps increase blood flow, has a training effect on blood vessels, and reduces swelling. An auxiliary element of stroking - rubbing - is also used along the flow of lymph. Techniques are performed with both hands, clasping the limb on both sides in the shin area, gradually moving to the groin area.
In case of acute phlebothrombosis of the deep veins, any physical activity is contraindicated . Exercise therapy can only be used at the rehabilitation stage.
With thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins, a moderately active motor regimen, on the contrary, is necessary.
Basic exercises for diseases of the veins of the lower extremities:
Visually familiarize yourself with the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis: