We see many patients for the condition of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Thrombosis refers to a blood clot forming somewhere in the circulatory system.
A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in the leg.
Injury and surgery are both common causes for DVT, as are older age, coronary heart disease and overweight.
Having a DVT is a life-threatening condition; if the DVT remains in the leg it can cause various complications including leg ulcers; if the clot moves it may block off the main artery to the lungs.
DVT are diagnosed through various tests which may include blood tests, ultrasound and other imaging tests. Treatment may include anticoagulant medicines (eg aspirin, Warfarin) and lifestyle changes.
To prevent DVT, compression stockings may be worn post-surgery.
For more information see this Better Health Victoria DVT fact sheet.
