Definition – What is phlebitis in the thigh?
An inflammation of the veins in the thigh is not uncommon and describes an inflammation of the superficial veins, or more precisely their vascular wall. Such inflammation is usually accompanied by redness, hardening of the vein and pain. The cause of such inflammation can be diverse.
In the area of the thigh, however, the cause is usually varicose veins (varices). Due to the increased blood pressure in the lower extremity, varicose veins occur almost exclusively on the lower and upper thigh, which can then lead to inflammation of the veins. It is not uncommon for phlebitis to lead to the formation of thrombus, i.e. blood clots, which then further restrict the blood flow in the vein.
Depending on its severity, the inflammation and the associated thrombosis can also affect the deep leg vein system. This is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can be associated with considerable risks, such as pulmonary embolism. Therefore, a phlebitis in the thigh should always be presented to a physician in order to initiate an adequate therapy and to be able to prevent possible severe courses.
Causes
The causes of phlebitis of the thigh are very diverse. Nevertheless, varicose veins are by far the most common underlying cause of such an inflammation. In this case one speaks of a so-called varicophlebitis.
However, a reduced blood flow can also lead to a slow thrombosis of the superficial leg veins, which can then be accompanied by an inflammation. Risk factors for this are all circumstances that reduce venous blood flow, such as clothing that is too tight, little physical activity, long periods of bed rest and orthopedic surgery. However, the risk of leg vein thrombosis is also increased during pregnancy and by taking the pill.
In contrast to varicophlebitis, the term thrombophlebitis is used in this context. A further cause is injury to the vein wall. Such vein injuries to the thigh are mainly due to injuries or medical interventions, such as a catheter examination. In rare cases, autoimmune diseases such as Behcet’s disease can also lead to inflammation of the vein wall in the thigh.
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