Risk Of Deep Vein Thrombosis
There’s a small chance of the blood clot travelling along the vein to where it meets a deeper vein and a deep vein thrombosis developing.
This is more likely if the surface clot extends into the upper thigh or groin, or behind the knee .
It’s also more likely to happen if:
- the affected vein is a normal vein rather than a varicose vein
- you have had a DVT before
- you’re immobile
A DVT can cause pain, swelling and a heavy ache in your leg. See a GP immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Page last reviewed: 01 May 2019 Next review due: 01 May 2022
Understand What Can Increase Your Risk For Blood Clots
Even if you travel a long distance, the risk of developing a blood clot is generally very small. Your level of risk depends on the duration of travel as well as whether you have any other risks for blood clots. Most people who develop travel-associated blood clots have one or more other risks for blood clots, such as:
- Older age
- Recent surgery or injury
- Use of estrogen-containing contraceptives
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Pregnancy and the postpartum period
- Previous blood clot or a family history of blood clots
- Active cancer or recent cancer treatment
- Limited mobility
- Catheter placed in a large vein
- Varicose veins
The combination of long-distance travel with one or more of these risks may increase the likelihood of developing a blood clot. The more risks you have, the greater your chances of experiencing a blood clot. If you plan on traveling soon, talk with your doctor to learn more about what you can do to protect your health. The most important thing you can do is to learn and recognize the symptoms of blood clots.
My name is Amaris White and I want to share my personal experience with blood clots. My hope is that by sharing this information, you will learn the signs and symptoms of this potentially fatal condition and know how to protect yourself and others.
Cleveland Clinic Heart Vascular & Thoracic Institute Vascular Medicine Specialists And Surgeons
Choosing a doctor to treat your vascular disease depends on where you are in your diagnosis and treatment. The following Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute Sections and Departments treat patients with all types of vascular disease, including blood clotting disorders:
Section of Vascular Medicine: for evaluation, medical management or interventional procedures to treat vascular disease. In addition, the Non-Invasive Laboratory includes state-of-the art computerized imaging equipment to assist in diagnosing vascular disease, without added discomfort to the patient. Call Vascular Medicine Appointments, toll-free 800-223-2273, extension 44420 or request an appointment online.
Department of Vascular Surgery: surgery evaluation for surgical treatment of vascular disease, including aorta, peripheral artery, and venous disease. Call Vascular Surgery Appointments, toll-free 800-223-2273, extension 44508 or request an appointment online.
You may also use our MyConsult second opinion consultation using the Internet.
The Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute also has specialized centers and clinics to treat certain populations of patients:
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Causes Of A Bakers Cyst
A fluid-filled sac surrounds the knee joint by lubricating and supplying it with much-needed nutrients to keep it healthy.
In case of knee damage or wound, it will produce more fluid to protect the knee joint, lubricate it, and speed up the healing.
However, when the fluid becomes excess, it will travel into the popliteal bursa through the joints and pool causing inflammation and later developing a Bakers Cyst.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of swelling behind the knees from a Bakers Cyst, and most knee arthritis patients suffer from one at some point.
Popliteal Cyst can also be caused by Gout knee, inflammatory arthritis, ligament strain, or knee injuries such as meniscus rupture.
Here are the main symptoms of a Bakers Cyst:
- Swelling and discomfort behind the knee
- Throbbing pain in the knee and calf
- It may feel as if your knee is giving way
A Baker’s Cyst in the popliteal fossa causes a palpable pocket of swelling that feels like a squashy orange.
People with a Popliteal Cyst may detect a modest amount of swelling at the back of their knee before experiencing any knee pain.
There will be more noticeable swelling, and pain below the knee as the knee cyst fills with fluid and grows, especially while bending the knee, which squashes the popliteal cyst.
The fluid will leak into the leg when a popliteal cyst behind the knee bursts, causing pain to travel to the ankle.
Exercise Or Physical Therapy
You will likely work with a physical therapist to perform specific exercises that are designed to restore joint range of motion, strengthen your lower body, and improve circulation in your deep veins. For knee replacement, your doctor may recommend the use of a continuous passive motion machine that slowly moves your knee.
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What Are The Risks Of Percutaneous Transcatheter Treatment Of Deep Venous Thrombosis
All procedures have risks. The risks of this procedure include:
- Excess bleeding that can be severe enough to cause death
- Infection
- Damage to the vein at the site of the blood clot
- Reaction to anesthesia
- Detaching of the stent, if one is used
There is also a risk that your blood clot will form again. Your own risks may vary depending on your general health and how your blood clots. They may also vary depending on how long youve had the clot, and where it is in your body. Talk with your healthcare provider about all your concerns and questions.
Can You Naturally Dissolve Blood Clots In Your Legs
A blood clot should be assessed and treated by a medical professional. Theres no proven way to treat a blood clot at home with natural remedies.
If you try to dissolve a blood clot at home, it may take longer for you to get proper medical treatment. This can increase your risk of developing a potentially life threatening condition.
Some foods and supplements may help reduce your chance of developing future blood clots, but they shouldnt be used as substitutes for medical treatment. Talk with a doctor before making any dietary changes, since some foods and supplements may interact with anticoagulant medications.
- Turmeric. A
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How Is Dvt Prevented
If you are travelling or are hospitalised, you can reduce your risk of developing DVT by wearing compression stockings, moving your feet and legs as much as possible, and drinking plenty of water.
If you have already had a DVT, it is very important to quit smoking, keep fit and maintain a healthy weight. Some people may need to stay on low-dose anticoagulant medication long-term or use it prior to long haul flights.
Know What To Look For And Avoid Serious Complications
The first sign of a blood clot is mild pain. As the pain intensifies, the skin near the blood clot may become red and very warm to the touch. Since blood clots restrict blood flow, the pain often limits a persons ability to move.
Most blood clots occur in the veins in the legs, but they can develop in arteries and other parts of the body, too.
Blood clots are serious.
If the blood clot breaks loose and travels through the veins or arteries to the heart, lungs, or brain, it could cause a heart attack, pulmonary embolism, stroke, or even death.
How do blood clots form?
In healthy people, blood clots form naturally after an injury or surgery. The platelets and plasma in the blood combine to start the clotting process. The first job of these cells is to build a dam to stop the blood, which prevents people from bleeding to death after a minor cut or scratch. The second job of this group of cells is to create a scab to protect the skin from infection while the body heals.
This is the bodys normal response to injury. As the tissues heal, the scab dissolves and is absorbed back into the body.
But blood clots that develop in the veins and arteries can be dangerous.
When circulation inside the blood vessels slows because of injury or other constricting conditions, the blood thickens. Platelets and plasma bond blood cells together and create the clot.
Blood clots that form for no apparent reason are the most dangerous.
Are you at risk for a DVT blood clot?
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What Can I Expect If I Have Deep Vein Thrombosis
A DVT can take several months to a year to come apart, so youll need to keep taking blood thinner medicines as instructed and keep wearing compression stockings until your provider tells you to stop. You may need blood tests to make sure youre getting the right dose of blood thinners. Your provider may want to do more ultrasounds later to find out if your blood clot is still in the same place, improving or getting larger.
What To Expect With Cvm When Treating A Blood Clot
At the Center for Vascular Medicine, our mission is to help patients with their vascular diseases in a cost-effective and compassionate manner. We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of venous and arterial diseases in the legs, feet, and pelvis. Our world-class providers are the most experienced in the specialty and work with patients to develop a treatment plan that is custom-tailored to their unique situation.
Typically, this process involves an initial consultation and ultrasound scan at one of our accredited facilities. After reviewing the results of your scan and obtaining a thorough medical history, our providers will discuss the results with you and help you decide on the next steps.
Our health care providers use several diagnostic tests to help determine what vascular diseases may be causing your symptoms. Our initial evaluations utilize ultrasound because this non-invasive imaging modality helps us verify our suspicions on whether your symptoms are caused by underlying vascular disease.
Think you may have a Blood Clot?
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Why Might I Need Percutaneous Transcatheter Treatment Of Deep Venous Thrombosis
You may need this procedure if you have DVT. DVT can lead to possible problems such as:
- Blood clot that moves to the lung and causes breathing trouble and risk of death
- Leg swelling and pain
- Loss of the limb
- Shock and death
Your healthcare provider might advise this procedure if certain conditions apply to you. These may include if you:
- Are having symptoms from your DVT
- Are at high risk of pulmonary embolism
- Have a clot above your knee
- Have a very large and severe clot
- Want to decrease the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome
Transcatheter treatment is not the only kind of treatment for a blood clot. You must have specific clinical factors to be a candidate for this procedure. Many people with blood clots are treated with medicines called blood thinners. These are given as an injection or through an IV. They can prevent a blood clot from getting larger.
All treatments for blood clots have their own risks and benefits. Ask your doctor if surgical thrombectomy might be a good choice for you. You might find it helpful to talk to a doctor who specializes in blood vessel problems. This type of doctor is called a vascular specialist.
When Is Surgery Necessary For A Dvt
Surgery is a rare option in treating large deep venous thrombosis of the leg in patients who cannot take blood thinners or who have developed recurrent blood clots while on anticoagulant medications. The surgery is usually accompanied by placing an IVC filter to prevent future clots from embolizing to the lung.
Phlegmasia cerulea dolens describes a situation in which a blood clot forms in the iliac vein of the pelvis and the femoral vein of the leg, obstructing almost all blood return and compromising blood supply to the leg. In this case surgery may be considered to remove the clot, but the patient will also require anticoagulant medications.
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Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Posterior cruciate ligament injuries can also cause pain at the back of the knee. The PCL is a ligament that keeps the knee from bending back the wrong way and is injured when the knee is forced the wrong way. Symptoms can also include minimal swelling and a feeling of instability.
JOI Rehab since its inception has routinely treated these conditions successfully with experienced clinicians. With our new state of the art additions of laser and Graston therapy, we can further speed your recovery.
If you would like to learn more about these injuries and others go to the JOIONLINE.NET Trending Section: or if you need physical therapy, please call 904 858-7045.
- To schedule a new patient or follow up patient appointment with your MD, please call JOI-2000 or read more here about our orthopedic telemedicine providers.
- To schedule an appointment for physical or occupational therapy, call 904-858-7045 or call any of the 12 area JOI Rehab Centers.
Prevention And Treatment Of Blood Clots After Hip And Knee Replacement Surgery
Taking steps for the prevention and treatment of blood clots after hip and knee replacement surgery is an important part of your recovery. Joint replacement patients are at highest risk for developing a DVT two to 10 days after surgery, and remain at risk for approximately three months.To prevent the occurrence of a blood clot, your doctor will likely prescribe a combination of treatment approaches for you, which may include:
- Exercise/physical therapy beginning the first day after surgery and continuing for several months
- Compression stockings
- Anti-clotting medicine to reduce the bodys ability to form blood clots
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Compression Socks Or Stockings
Compression socks apply pressure to your foot and leg to help bring down swelling and improve blood flow.
Compression stockings extend to your upper thigh. They apply more pressure around your foot and less pressure higher on your leg. This helps keep blood and fluid from pooling in your lower body.
A 2018 review followed 1,681 people before and after having surgery. The researchers found that only 9 percent of people who wore compression stockings on the day before or on the day of surgery developed blood clots. In comparison, 21 percent of people who didnt wear compression stockings developed blood clots.
What Is Percutaneous Transcatheter Treatment Of Deep Venous Thrombosis
Percutaneous transcatheter treatment is one type of therapy for deep venous thrombosis . DVT is a blood clot that forms in a large vein deep in the body. It happens most often in a leg. The procedure uses a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to help remove the blood the clot.
During the treatment, a healthcare provider will insert a catheter into a blood vessel in your groin. Then he or she will move the tube through your blood vessels until it reaches the site of the clot. Percutaneous means that the procedure is done through a small puncture in the skin instead of a large incision.
Your healthcare provider might use one of several types of percutaneous transcatheter treatments. The catheter may be used to send clot-dissolving medicine to the DVT. This can help break up the clot. Or, your healthcare provider might use small tools to help break up the clot. In some cases, a tiny balloon or metal, mesh coil is inserted in the vein to help hold it open.
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Recommened For Knee Pain
Meniscus Tear – The menisci of the knee are the pieces of cartilage that cushions the knee joint. When the posterior portion of the meniscus is torn, it may cause pain behind the knee .
Other causes – Direct trauma to the knee may also cause behind knee pain. Your doctor will diagnose whether it is a knee sprain or a ligament tear.
Back Of The Knee Pain Caused By Bakers Cyst
A Bakers cyst will cause a lump at the back of your knee along with pain and discomfort.
The cyst that forms at the back of your knee is usually caused by arthritis or tearing a cartilage. This results in a buildup of fluid that causes a lump behind your knee.
Doctors from the Mayo Clinic say that the swelling behind your knee can be a cause of knee pain. You will probably find it difficult to flex the knee and your symptoms may be worse after physical activity. To treat a Bakers cyst, doctors usually drain the fluid to reduce the swelling and ease knee discomfort.8
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When To Seek Care For A Possible Blood Clot
If you think that you or your child may have a blood clot in the leg, seeing a doctor that day may help you avoid complications. If you cant get a same-day appointment with your regular doctor, visit an urgent care center or emergency room. Quick care may help you ward off a pulmonary embolism, which may be deadly.
Whether or not youve noticed symptoms of DVT, seek emergency care if you have symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, including:
- sudden difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- chest pain that worsens when you try breathing deeply
- a sudden cough, especially if you produce bloody mucus
- a fast heartbeat
- dizziness or losing consciousness
There Are Three Main Problems With A Blood Clot In The Veins Of The Calf
1The first problem is that blood clots in the calf are often painful and cause lots of swelling. A number of medications can be used to treat the pain and it is important to limit the swelling as much as possible. The best way to decrease swelling is to use tight stockings. These stockings are very tight at the ankle and less tight in the calf and so they help the blood return uphill to the heart. . It is also important to keep your leg up as much as possible.
2The second problem is that blood clots can sometimes grow along the veins of the calf and enter the veins of the thigh. Blood clots can even break off and travel to the lungs. If a blood clot is big enough it can block the blood flow to the lungs causing problems with breathing. Only 1 in 5 blood below knee DVTs will grow along the veins, but once a blood clot reaches the veins in the thigh the risk of the blood clot traveling to the lungs is high. .
3The third problem of blood clots in the calf is that once a vein is blocked with a clot, other veins will need to take over the role of the blocked vein. Sometimes this can cause long term swelling of the leg which can be uncomfortable and lead to skin changes including ulcers (this is called Post Thrombotic Syndrome or PTS. Fortunately PTS is uncommon in clots that are limited to the veins of the calf.
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