Help for a Blood Clot in the Leg

Though a blood clot in the leg is not a danger by itself, if a piece of the clot breaks and travels in the bloodstream to the lungs it can result in death. In most cases, you will have no symptoms of blood clots in your legs besides some tenderness and redness. Clots can form from either trauma to the vein or if the blood encounters an obstruction in the arteries.

Superficial Thrombophlebitis

• If the blood clot is located just below the surface of the skin, it is called a superficial thrombophlebitis. This type of clot is less serious and usually will require some simple home care. Treatment for superficial thrombophlebitis includes the use of warm compresses on the area, leg compression and medications like ibuprofen. The goal is to cut down inflammation and increase circulation to the area. However, if the clot is located near the groin, more intensive anti-coagulation therapy may be required.

Deep Venous Thromboses

• Deep venous thromboses (DVT) are more dangerous but tend not to break off if they are located beneath the knee. However, your doctor will want to do an ultrasonic examination to make sure the clot does not grow beyond the knee. For people with DVT above the knee, your doctor will prescribe an anti-coagulation medication such as Coumadin. However, Coumadin can take up to a week to work, so your doctor will also put you on Lovenox, which also thins out the blood but much more quickly.

Warnings

• Not everyone can use anticoagulation medicine because of contraindications such as recent surgery and prior issues to similar medication. Since anticoagulants thin blood everywhere in the body, people who have had recent surgery are at high risk of bleeding issues. If you cannot take these medications, your doctor will recommend that you are hospitalized and given an intravenous treatment of heparin. Also, Coumadin may cause some side effects for people who have recently experienced trauma such as bleeding in the brain.