Leg Swelling and Blood Clots: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

A blood clot, also known as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) typically occurs in the extremities and can block the blood flow of major veins. It is a serious condition that can be treated through specially formulated guidelines. Several key symptoms can indicate a potential blood clot.

Causes

• There are many causes and contributing factors for the development of a blood clot, including obesity, trauma, prolonged sitting, recent surgery, immobility and certain medications.

Symptoms

• A blood clot in the leg will cause localized swelling at the site. The swelling may be characterized by redness or other discoloration and be warm to the touch.

Getting Treatment

• If you suspect that you may have a blood clot seek care immediately.

Treatment

• When recognized early, blood clots can be treated with medications such as Heparin, Lovenox, Coumadin or Arixtra. These medications will thin the blood and help prevent it from forming clots.

Additional Monitoring

• Additional monitoring is typically done when treating a patient with blood thinners, to assess the effectiveness of the treatment.