The lower extremities of a person have an extensive venous network, which ensures the outflow of venous blood into the inferior vena cava. There are three types of venous vessels of the legs: superficial, deep and communicating veins connecting them. Normally, venous blood flows through the superficial vessels through the communicative vessels into the deep veins, from which it enters the vena cava and then into the heart. Venous valves provide a one-way flow of blood. If, due to any reason, the valve condition is impaired, blood stagnation in the vessels occurs and varicose expansion occurs. With this disease, a person can live for years.
A more dangerous disease is deep vein thrombosis. It represents the formation of blood clots in the lumen of the vessels of the legs or pelvis. These phenomena are accompanied by inflammation of the venous wall, severe pain and impaired blood flow. Deep vein thrombosis can be complicated by a life-threatening condition - pulmonary embolism.
Causes of the disease
The occurrence of the disease is facilitated by traumatic wall injuries, venous congestion , overweight, pregnancy, a sedentary lifestyle, inflammatory lesions of the veins and bacterial infections, some medications (contraceptives), tumor diseases, over forty years of age, and blood clotting disorders.
As a result of the slowdown of blood flow, a blood clot forms, which mainly consists of red blood cells and platelets. The resulting thrombus can be firmly attached to the venous wall with one end, its other end is freely located in the lumen of the vessel. Thrombi can reach a large extent, partially or completely blocking the lumen of the vein.
Clinical manifestations of the disease
As mentioned above, blood stasis causes deep vein thrombosis. Symptoms of the disease are expressed in the appearance of acute and bursting pain in the affected limb, persistent edema and a feeling of warmth. Inflammation of the venous wall is often accompanied by fever. A thrombosed limb is colder to the touch than a healthy one. Externally, the leg is edematous, hyperemic. The skin in the area of the affected area is ugly and shiny, with a clearly visible venous network. Often, deep vein thrombosis is already initially manifested by embolism of the arteries of the lungs with blood clots that have come off the vessels. At the same time, the patient experiences severe pain in the chest, he develops a paroxysmal cough with blood, and blood pressure drops. Blockage of large pulmonary vessels often leads to death. If pelvic vascular thrombosis occurs, a bowel obstruction clinic may be observed.
Diagnostic measures
The diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis, is based on complaints, local manifestations, and diagnostic examination data. There are a number of symptoms that can be used to diagnose deep vein thrombosis of the lower leg. These are the symptoms of Pratt, Homans, Payr and others.
Of the instrumental methods, one can note ultrasound, dopplerography, angiography.
The disease is differentiated with lymphostasis, erysipelas, muscle strain.
Thrombosis treatment
Uncomplicated forms of shin thrombosis are treated on an outpatient basis. The remaining cases require inpatient treatment. The patient is required to comply with strict bed rest with the elevated position of the sore leg. Thermal procedures are contraindicated. Anticoagulants ( Heparin, Fraxiparin, Kleksan, etc.) and antiplatelet agents (Trental, Curantil) are prescribed, under the control of coagulation. Anesthetics are administered, blockade with novocaine is possible.
In more severe forms of thrombosis, an operation is indicated (removal of a thrombus, installation of a venous filter in a vena cava, etc.).