Introduction
Post thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is an ongoing chronic condition associated with swelling and increased venous pressure in the legs. Patients with PTS often experience chronic leg swelling, pain, leg heaviness, tingling and cramping, redness, itching and ulcers.
Causes
Post Thrombotic Syndrome occurs as a result of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). This results in increased deep venous pressure secondary to either residual clot or valve damage remaining after the clot has cleared.
You are more at risk of developing PTS if you have a DVT above the knee, have multiple DVT’s in the same leg on multiple occasions, are symptomatic for a long period of time (one month or more), have trouble maintaining appropriate levels of your blood thinning medication prescribed for a DVT, and are overweight.
Signs and Symptoms
- Swelling.
- Increased venous leg pressure.
- Chronic leg pain.
- Leg heaviness.
- Tingling.
- Cramping.
- Redness.
- Itching.
- Ulcers.
- Occurs of multiple DVT’s.
Diagnosis
- Physical exam.
- Pathology testing.
- Duplex Ultrasound.
Treatment
Wearing compression as instructed by your doctor can reduce the likelihood of PTS. This means wearing compression as soon as a DVT is diagnosed, and wearing compression for an extended period of time, possibly years or forever.
Compression stockings are very firm on the leg and help the leg muscles push blood out of the leg and to the heart. This decompresses the pressure in the leg. This also helps to clear clot in the acute setting.
