Deep vein thrombophlebitis of lower extremities

Thrombophlebitis is characterized by inflammation in the venous wall with the formation of a thrombus in the lumen.

This process can be a complicationindividual infectious diseases (influenza, typhoid and typhus, dysentery), abortions and childbirth, purulent inflammatory processes and can occur in any part of the body.

One of the most common types of inflammationis a deep vein thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities. The changes cause a reflex spasm in the adjacent arteries and lymphatic vessels. In this case, the outflow of lymph, arterial and venous blood flow is disturbed.

Thrombus formation in the vein can occurdue to her varicose veins, squeezing of the tumor, injury or trauma. After puncture, with a sufficiently long presence in its lumen of a cannula or needle with infusions, its wall can also become inflamed.

Thrombophlebitis of the deep veins of the lower extremities can be manifested in a chronic, subacute and acute form. In this case, the damage also affects the surface vessels.

Subacute thrombophlebitis of deep veins of lowerlimbs arises suddenly, accompanied by pain in the limb, increased (up to 39º) temperature, and chills. Touching the affected area is also very painful. On the expiration of the first day there is a strong puffiness. The skin of the affected limb acquires a pale, strained appearance, becomes colder, glossy. The lymph nodes of the inguinal region increase significantly and become painful.

Acute thrombophlebitis of deep veins of lowerlimbs also occurs as a sudden manifestation of pain. A moderate development of the edema of the limb is observed. The skin on it becomes cyanotic. Localization of the process most often occurs in large subcutaneous veins, which are probed by a dense, painful tract with swelling and reddened skin. The body temperature at the first manifestations of the disease is about 38º, in the course of its course it decreases to normal values.

In severe manifestations, deep vein thrombophlebitistoday they refer to chronic insufficiency in the veins of the legs. In this case, the outflow of blood is disturbed. The transferred acute thrombophlebitis and the subsequent formation in the thrombus of the channels (recanalization) causes the destruction of the valves of the veins of deep and connecting the surface and deep system. The disease is accompanied by puffiness and blunt pain in the legs, trophic changes in the skin of the lower leg in the lower third. In some cases, the formation of varicose ulcers.

Treatment of deep vein thrombophlebitis should be carried out in a complex manner in accordance with the specific form of the disease.

When a disease in an acute form shows rest. In this case, the affected limb should be fixed in an elevated position, which helps to reduce swelling and pain and improve blood outflow. Along with this, it should be noted that prolonged stay at rest can cause thrombosis to spread to the deep veins. Therefore, patients with a fourth-fifth day are allowed a small functional load. He can move his foot and fingers. On the sixth-seventh day, in the absence of acute symptoms, the patient is allowed to sit. On the eighth-ninth day, an elastic bandage is fixed on the affected limb, and the patient is allowed to walk. In this case, the thermal procedures on the affected limb are contraindicated.

On the first day, the patient is prescribed antibiotics, anesthetic, reducing coagulability, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs.

Surgical intervention (excision of the affected area) is prescribed when purulent fusion of the vein and abscesses is manifested.