Thrombophlebitis

Thrombophlebitis is swelling (inflammation) of a vein. A blood clot (thrombus) in the vein is the most common cause of this swelling.

Blood clot

Blood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...

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Causes

Thrombophlebitis may affect deeper, larger veins or veins near the skin surface. Most of the time, it occurs in the pelvis and legs.

Deeper, larger veins

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep inside a part of the body. DVT mainly affects the large...

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Veins near the skin surface

Thrombophlebitis is a swollen or inflamed vein due to a blood clot. Superficial refers to veins just below the skin's surface.

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Blood clots may form when something slows or changes the flow of blood in the veins. Risk factors include:

• A pacemaker catheter that has been passed through the vein in the groin
• Bed rest or sitting in one position for too long, such as plane travel
• Family history of blood clots, which may imply the presence of inherited disorders that lead to increased risk of clots. Common ones include deficiency or lack of antithrombin 3, protein C, and protein S, factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin abnormalities
• Fractures in the pelvis or legs
• Giving birth within the last 6 months
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Recent surgery (most commonly hip, knee, or female pelvic surgery)
• Too many blood cells being made by the bone marrow, causing the blood to be thicker than normal (polycythemia vera)
• Having an indwelling (long-term) catheter in a blood vessel

Blood is more likely to clot in someone who has certain problems or disorders, such as:

• Cancer
• Certain autoimmune disorders, such as lupus
• Cigarette smoking
• Conditions that make it more likely to develop blood clots
• Taking estrogens or birth control pills (this risk is even higher with smoking)

Symptoms

Thrombophlebitis often causes the following symptoms:

• Swelling in the part of the body affected
• Pain in the part of the body affected
• Skin redness (not always present)

  Skin redness

  Rashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.

  

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• Warmth and tenderness over the vein

Exams and Tests

The health care provider can often diagnose the condition based on how the affected area looks. Your provider will frequently check your vital signs. This is to make sure you don't have complications.

Vital signs

Vital signs reflect essential body functions, including your heartbeat, breathing rate, temperature, and blood pressure. Your health care provider m...

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If the cause cannot be easily identified, one or more of the following tests may be done:

• Blood coagulation studies
• Doppler ultrasound

  Doppler ultrasound

  This test uses ultrasound to look at the blood flow in the large arteries and veins in the arms or legs.

  

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• Venography

  Venography

  Venography for legs is a test used to see the veins in the leg. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, like visible light is. However, thes...

  

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• Genetic testing

Treatment

Support stockings and wraps can help to reduce discomfort. Your provider may prescribe medicines such as:

• Painkillers
• Blood thinners to prevent new clots from forming, most often only prescribed when deep veins are involved
• Medicines such as ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling
• Medicines injected into the vein to dissolve an existing clot

You may be told to do the following:

• Keep pressure off the area to reduce pain and decrease the risk for further damage.
• Raise the affected area to reduce swelling.

  Swelling

  Swelling is the enlargement of organs, skin, or other body parts. It is caused by a buildup of fluid in the tissues. The extra fluid can lead to a ...

  

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Rare treatment options are:

• Surgical removal of a vein near the surface
• Vein stripping
• Bypass of the vein

Outlook (Prognosis)

Prompt treatment can treat thrombophlebitis and its other forms.

Possible Complications

Complications of thrombophlebitis include:

• Blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)

  Pulmonary embolism

  A pulmonary embolus is a blockage of an artery in the lungs. The most common cause of the blockage is a blood clot.

  

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• Chronic pain at the location of the thrombophlebitis
• Chronic swelling at the location of the thrombophlebitis

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if you have symptoms of thrombophlebitis.

Contact your provider right away if:

• Your symptoms do not improve with treatment.
• Your symptoms get worse.
• New symptoms occur (such as an entire limb becoming pale, cold, or swollen).

Prevention

Routine changing of intravenous (IV) lines helps to prevent thrombophlebitis related to IVs.

If you are taking a long car or plane trip:

• Walk or stretch your legs once in a while
• Drink plenty of liquids
• Wear support hose

If you are hospitalized, your provider may prescribe medicine to prevent thrombophlebitis.