Overview

Thrombophlebitis (throm-boe-fluh-BY-tis) is an inflammatory process that causes a blood clot to form and block one or more veins, usually in your legs. The affected vein might be near the surface of your skin (superficial thrombophlebitis) or deep within a muscle (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). Causes include trauma, surgery or prolonged inactivity.

DVT increases your risk of serious health problems. It's usually treated with blood-thinning medications. Superficial thrombophlebitis is sometimes treated with blood-thinning medications, too.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Symptoms

Superficial thrombophlebitis signs and symptoms include:

• Warmth, tenderness and pain in the affected area
• Redness and swelling

Deep vein thrombosis signs and symptoms include:

• Pain
• Swelling

When a vein close to the surface of your skin is affected, you might see a red, hard cord just under the surface of your skin that's tender to the touch. When a deep vein in the leg is affected, your leg may become swollen, tender and painful.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor right away if you have a red, swollen or tender vein — especially if you have one or more risk factors for thrombophlebitis.

If you have leg swelling and pain and develop shortness of breath or chest pain that worsens when you breathe, go to an emergency room. These might indicate that you have a dislodged blood clot traveling through your veins to your lungs (pulmonary embolism).

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Causes

The cause of thrombophlebitis is a blood clot, which can form in your blood as a result of:

• An injury to a vein
• An inherited blood-clotting disorder
• Being immobile for long periods, such as during an injury or a hospital stay

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Diagnosis

To diagnose thrombophlebitis, your doctor will ask you about your discomfort and look for affected veins near your skin's surface. To determine whether you have superficial thrombophlebitis or deep vein thrombosis, your doctor might choose one of these tests:

• Ultrasound. A wandlike device (transducer) moved over the affected area of your leg sends sound waves into your leg. As the sound waves travel through your leg tissue and reflect back, a computer transforms the waves into a moving image on a video screen.

This test can confirm the diagnosis and distinguish between superficial and deep vein thrombosis.

• Blood test. Almost everyone with a blood clot has an elevated blood level of a naturally occurring, clot-dissolving substance called D dimer. But D dimer levels can be elevated in other conditions. So a test for D dimer isn't conclusive, but can indicate the need for further testing.

It's also useful for ruling out DVT and for identifying people at risk of developing thrombophlebitis repeatedly.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Complications

Complications from superficial thrombophlebitis are rare. However, if you develop DVT, the risk of serious complications increases. Complications might include:

• Pulmonary embolism. If part of a deep vein clot becomes dislodged, it can travel to your lungs, where it can block an artery (embolism) and become potentially life-threatening.
• Post-phlebetic syndrome. This condition, also known as post-thrombotic syndrome, can develop months or even years after you've had DVT. Post-phlebetic syndrome can cause lasting and possibly disabling pain, swelling and a feeling of heaviness in the affected leg.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Prevention

Sitting during a long flight or car ride can cause your ankles and calves to swell and increases your risk of thrombophlebitis. To help prevent a blood clot:

• Take a walk. If you're flying or riding a train or bus, walk up and down the aisle once an hour or so. If you're driving, stop every hour or so and move around.
• Move your legs regularly. Flex your ankles, or carefully press your feet against the floor or footrest in front of you at least 10 times each hour.
• Wear loose clothing.
• Drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids to avoid dehydration.

Lifestyle and home remedies

In addition to medical treatments, here are self-care measures to help improve thrombophlebitis.

If you have superficial thrombophlebitis:

• Use a warm washcloth to apply heat to the involved area several times daily
• Elevate your leg
• Use a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others), if recommended by your doctor

If you have deep vein thrombosis:

• Take prescription anticoagulant medications as directed to prevent complications
• Elevate your leg if it's swollen
• Wear your prescription compression stockings as directed

Let your doctor know if you're taking another blood thinner, such as aspirin.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Risk factors

Your risk of thrombophlebitis increases if you:

• Are inactive for a prolonged period, either because you're confined to bed or are traveling in a car or plane for a long period
• Have varicose veins, which are a common cause of superficial thrombophlebitis
• Have a pacemaker or have a thin, flexible tube (catheter) in a central vein, for treatment of a medical condition, which may irritate the blood vessel wall and decrease blood flow
• Are pregnant or have just given birth
• Use birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, which can make your blood more likely to clot
• Have a family history of a blood-clotting disorder or a tendency to form blood clots
• Have had previous episodes of thrombophlebitis
• Have had a stroke
• Are older than 60
• Are overweight or obese
• Have cancer
• Smoke

If you have one or more risk factors, discuss prevention strategies with your doctor before taking long flights or road trips or if you're planning to have elective surgery, recovery from which will require you not to move much.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com