A blood clot in the leg is a painful and potentially dangerous condition. It can occur in arteries or veins. Arteries take blood away from the heart to deliver oxygen to the tissues. Veins take blood back to the heart. If a blood clot occurs in an artery it is called an arterial embolism. If it occurs in the vein it is called a deep vein thrombosis. Of the two, a deep vein thrombosis is much more common.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis include swelling, redness, and pain below the level of the clot, according to the National Institutes of Health Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia. So if the clot was in a vein near the knee, the affected leg below the knee would be swollen and painful. A blood clot in the artery will symptomatically be a little different. An arterial embolism blocks blood from getting to the leg. The leg will be cold, have a diminished pulse, pale, and possibly painful or numb.
Causes
A deep vein thrombosis in the leg is often caused by being in one place for too long and not moving, according to the Medical Encyclopedia. Long car rides, airplane travel or hospitalization where somebody is not moving the legs much can lead to a deep vein thrombosis. Cancers and inherited tendencies to have blood clots may also cause them. An arterial embolism in the leg is often caused by an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation. This rhythm may predispose a person to developing blood clots in the heart which break loose and travel to other parts of the body such as the leg.
Diagnosis
A history of blood clots, inactivity, cancer, atrial fibrillation or other risk factors and a description of typical symptoms will raise suspicion for the presence of a blood clot in the leg, according to the Medical Encyclopedia. Physical exam findings will be like the symptoms above, with pain and swelling or a decreased pulse. Diagnosis is best made by imaging though, especially an ultrasound of the leg.
Treatment
Treatment of a deep vein thrombosisin the leg is usually with blood thinners. A typical regiment is to give heparin and warfarin, then just warfarin alone. Treatment of an arterial embolism may also use anticoagulants. Surgery may also be performed in the case of an arterial embolism to remove the clot from the leg.
Prevention
Prevention methods include addressing and changing modifiable risk factors. Engaging in appropriate physical activity, quitting smoking, never smoking while on oral contraceptive pills and doing other things such as following a healthy diet will decrease risks. Also moving your legs while on a trip, or wearing pressure stockings if your health care practitioner has prescribed them, will help.
