Postthrombotic Syndrome: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate postthrombotic syndrome:

  • Feeling of heavy legs, especially after long periods of sitting and standing.
  • Painful legs, especially after long periods of sitting and standing.
  • Cramps in the calves, hardening

According to Widmer, one can distinguish the following three stages:

  1. Swelling of the legs, reversible (reversible)Corona phlebectatica – appearance of dark blue skin veins at the edge of the foot.
  2. Persistent swelling of the legs with changes in the skin such as.
    • Atrophy blanche – usually painful depigmentation of the skin in the area of the lower leg.
    • Eczematization – often itchy stasis eczema.
    • Reddish-brown hyperpigmentation due to local hemosiderosis (increased iron deposition) in the ankle/lower leg area.
    • Hyperkeratosis – excessive horn formation of the skin.
    • Lipodermatosclerosis – proliferation of connective tissue and reduction of the subcutaneous fat layer, especially in the area of the ankle.
    • Cyanotic skin (localized peripheral cyanosis) – purple to bluish discoloration of the skin.
  3. Ulcus cruris venosum (“open leg“) or scar as a secondary condition.