Therapy

Thromboses in the leg indicate that blood clots no longer dissolve properly. Therapeutically, therefore, substances are generally used to reactivate this mechanism. Heparin is the agent of choice here, it prevents the formation of further thromboses.

To dissolve the thrombosis in the leg, a recanalization can also be performed. In this procedure, the vein is dilated by means of a catheter so that a regulated blood flow is possible again. Drug-based dissolution (lysis) uses substances such as streptokinase, which is obtained from bacteria and is able to dissolve blood clots. In addition, the swelling of the leg is treated by compression therapy. With elastic bandages in the initial stage and compression stockings after the acute phase, the venous blood flow is promoted and a dissolution of the clot prevented.

What to do in case of thrombosis in the leg?

If a thrombosis in the leg is suspected, some points should be observed in any case. The painful leg should be moved as little as possible, elevating it can improve the pain, and is also recommended for pressure relief. However, the leg should not be placed on hard surfaces; pillows or rolled up blankets can help.Leg thromboses are medical emergencies and require hospital treatment.

Nevertheless, it is important to remain calm and not to panic. You can either be taken to an emergency room or alert the emergency services. You should not even drive a car, as the thrombus can become loose and travel with the bloodstream to the heart.

Duration

How long the clinical picture of thrombosis lasts depends on many different factors. A very small thrombosis can be controlled by the conservative measures mentioned above. The larger the thrombus, the more severe the symptoms and the more complex the subsequent therapy, the longer the patient is affected.

There are also thromboses that are operated on in special clinics by doctors with particular specialization (Trendelenburg surgery). These patients usually have to take anticoagulants and/or wear compression stockings for the rest of their lives. As a rule, therapy with compression stockings or bandages is carried out for at least 3 months.

How quickly the patient improves also depends on how healthy or sick he or she is overall. It is clear that early movement (called mobilization), adapted to the patient’s complaints, has a positive influence on the course of the treatment. If a patient with thrombosis has had an operation as the last therapy option, a longer period in hospital follows.

A distinction is made between a minor and a major surgery option. In the smaller surgery, a probe (catheter) is inserted under X-ray control into the corresponding vessel up to the clot. There, the thrombus can be cut into small pieces on the spot, so to speak, or it can be triggered by a drug that is passed through the probe. The other option, which is reluctant to be chosen, is the larger one, where the leg is cut along the vessel and the clogged vessel is removed (thrombectomy). This is the surgery that is mainly performed by specialists.