DVT (Blood Clot in the Leg) Topic Guide

Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg, DVT) is a blood clot imbedded in one of the major veins of the lower body, including the legs, thighs, or pelvis. Disease and conditions that put you at risk of DVT are many, and include:

Heart disease
Heart attack
Heart failure
Pregnancy
Estrogen therapy
Prolonged periods of immobility, for example, sitting while traveling or confined to bed.
Trauma
Being overweight
Cancer
Respiratory conditions
Advanced age

Symptoms of DVT include:

Redness and warmth to the touch
Leg swelling
Pain or tenderness in the leg
Redness or discoloration of the skin on the leg
Leg cramps
Edema
Pain

Treatment for a blood clot in the leg include:

Anticoagulants, for example, heparin, rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis), dabigatran (Pradaxa), and sometimes warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Thrombin inhibitors
Thrombolytics
Vena cava filter
Graduated compression stockings

You can prevent a blood clot in the leg by moving around during prolonged periods of immobility, taking your medicine as your doctor has prescribed, getting up and moving as soon as possible after surgery or an illness (this lowers your chances of getting DVT), and exercising your leg muscles during long trips (particularly the lower leg muscles).

REFERENCE: NIH. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. "What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?" Updated: Oct 28, 2011.

Read the Blood Clot in the Legs Main Article

Doctor's Notes on Blood Clot in the Legs Symptoms

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Hematoma

A hematoma is a collection of blood outside a blood vessel usually caused by injury to the blood vessel wall. Causes of hematoma include:

trauma,
head injury,
bumps,
infections, and
diseases.

Symptoms may be pain, redness, and swelling. Treatment of hematoma depends on the cause.

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