Deep vein thrombosis

Deep venous thrombosis also occurs most frequently in the leg (limb thrombosis). In 60% of the cases, thrombosis occurs in the legs, in 30% in the pelvic veins and in the arm veins the least frequently with 0.5-1.5% of cases. In these cases, there is a pulling pain with the above described character of a sore muscle.

In addition, there is a swelling with a clear difference in the circumference of the legs, a bluish shining skin and so-called Pratt’s warning veins. Pratt’s warning veins are an increased protrusion of veins in the tibial edge region. They are caused by the increased pressure in the vascular system caused by deep vein thrombosis, because this causes blood to congestion in the superficial veins, which leads to the protrusion of superficial veins.

There is also pressure sensitivity in the area of the deep veins and calf pain when the calf is compressed. In addition, there is sometimes pain when bending the foot or pain in the sole of the foot when pressure is applied to the inner edge of the sole. The complications of deep vein thrombosis of the leg should not be underestimated.

In 50% of cases, the blood clot can be carried into the pulmonary vessels. In deep vein thrombosis of the arm, however, a complication in the form of pulmonary embolism occurs in only 6% of cases. Another complication in deep vein thrombosis is a permanent injury to the veins in the form of congestion syndrome.The congestion problems in the veins are caused by an injury to the venous valves, which normally prevent the blood from flowing back.

If the veins are injured, the result is an orthostatic congestion of the blood and an overfilling or strain of the veins. In addition, there is a particular risk of a recurrence of a blood clot, which again blocks the vein, due to the blood congestion in the venous system. The congestion symptoms can also lead to the so-called post-thrombotic syndrome (i.e. complaints after thrombosis).

These are swollen legs, varicose veins and also skin changes. The skin changes lead to a brown coloration of the affected area, especially in the ankle area. The skin changes can mature into an ulcer.

In addition to the limb veins, other organ systems can of course also be affected by thrombosis. In the case of the liver, this is thrombosis of the portal vein, but the kidney, jugular vein and other organ systems can also be affected, which is explained below.

Deep leg vein thrombosis
Pain in the calf – What are the indications that I have a thrombosis?
Thrombosis of the portal veinThe portal vein collects the blood from the abdominal organs such as the intestines, stomach, spleen and pancreas and supplies the blood as the largest feeding vessel to the liver.
The most common symptoms here are the occurrence of unspecific abdominal pain, hemorrhoids (formation of an arterial and venous cushion of vessels in the transition from the anal canal to the rectum), enlargement of the spleen, swelling of the liver, diarrhea, a feeling of fullness and also nausea.
Budd-Chiari syndromeIf the other liver veins are affected by the thrombosis, it is called Budd-Chirari syndrome. However, this is a rare disease. The disease usually manifests itself as abdominal pain, water retention in the abdominal cavity (also known as ascites) and swelling of the liver.
Renal vein thrombosisWhen a renal vein is affected by a thrombosis, a renal vein thrombosis occurs.
This results in a kidney outflow disorder. In 70% of cases, the symptoms are flank pain, bloody urine, nausea, loss of appetite, trembling of the hands or even fever.
Jugular vein thrombosisJugular vein thrombosis is a thrombosis in the jugular vein of the neck. Diagnosis is usually difficult, since the pain usually occurs by chance and very suddenly.
This results in a sharp pain in the region of the jugular vein.
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosisThis is a special form of stroke that also occurs very rarely. In this disease, the thrombosis lies in the cerebral sinus. The cerebral sinuses are not classic veins, but are formed by duplications of the meninges, which thus enclose venous blood.
The symptoms are mainly very severe headaches, which also last for a long time. In addition, paralysis of the face or limbs and impaired vision can occur. In contrast to the classic stroke, the prognosis here is significantly better and the probability of lifelong complaints or secondary symptoms is lower.