Knee Pain
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot (also called a thrombus) that forms in a vein deep in the body. Most deep vein clots occur in the leg or thigh but can also occur in other parts of the body.
This clot may interfere with circulation and it may break off and travel through the blood stream and lodge in the lungs, causing severe damage to that organ. If the clot lodges in the lung, it is called pulmonary embolism (PE). This is a very serious condition that can cause death. DVT and PE are collectively called venous thromboembolism (VTE) and are predisposed by the same risk factors.
Anyone can develop DVT, but it becomes more common over the age of 40. As well as age, there are also some other risk factors, including:
having a history of DVT or pulmonary embolism
having a family history of blood clots
being inactive for long periods – such as after an operation or during a long journey
blood vessel damage – a damaged blood vessel wall can result in the formation of a blood clot
having certain conditions or treatments that cause your blood to clot more easily than normal – such as cancer (including chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment), heart and lung disease, thrombophilia and Hughes syndrome
being pregnant – your blood also clots more easily during pregnancy
being overweight or obese
The combined contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) both contain the female hormone oestrogen, which causes the blood to clot more easily. If you're taking either of these, your risk of developing DVT is slightly increased.
In some cases, there may be no symptoms of DVT. If symptoms do occur they can include:
pain, swelling and tenderness in one of your legs (usually your calf or thigh)
a heavy ache in the affected area
warm skin in the area of the clot
red skin, particularly at the back of your leg below the knee
DVT usually (although not always) affects one leg. The pain may be worse when you bend your foot upward towards your knee.
If a doctor thinks you have DVT (deep vein thrombosis), you should be referred to hospital within 24 hours for an ultrasound scan. The scan shows whether blood is flowing normally through the vein.
You may also have an X-ray of the vein (venogram). For this, you'll be injected with a dye to show where the blood clot is.
Medications
Your doctor might prescribe medications to thin your blood. The preferredTrusted Source treatment is with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) such as rivaroxaban (Xarelto) or apixaban (Eliquis).
Other drugs a doctor may use include:
heparin
warfarin (Coumadin)
enoxaparin (Lovenox)
fondaparinux (Arixtra)
Blood-thinning medications make it harder for your blood to clot. They also keepTrusted Source existing clots as small as possible and decrease the chance that you’ll develop more clots.
If blood thinners don’t work or the DVT is severe, your doctor might use thrombolytic drugs. People with upper extremity DVT may also benefitTrusted Source from this medication.
Thrombolytic drugs work by breaking up clots. You’ll receive these intravenously (through a vein).
Compression stockings
If you’re at high risk of DVT, wearing compression stockings can prevent swelling and might lower your chance of developing clots.
Compression stockings reach just below your knee or right above it. Your doctor may recommend you wear these every day.
Filters
If you cannot take blood thinners, you might need a filter inside the large abdominal vein called the vena cava. This treatment helps prevent pulmonary embolisms by stopping clots from entering your lungs.
Filters do have risks. If they’re left in for too long, they can actually increaseTrusted Source the risk of DVT. Filters should be used for a short-term period until the risk of thromboembolism is reduced, and blood thinners can be used.
Your doctor may suggest surgery to remove a DVT clot in your arm or leg. This is typically only recommended with very large blood clots or clots that cause serious issues, like tissue damage.
During a surgical thrombectomy or surgery to remove a blood clot, your surgeon will make an incision into a blood vessel. They’ll locate and remove the clot. Then, they’ll repair the blood vessel and tissue.
In some cases, they may use a small inflating balloon to keep the blood vessel open while they remove the clot. When the clot is found and removed, the balloon is removed with it.
Surgery isn’t without risks, so many doctors will recommend it only in severe cases. Risks include:
infection
damage to the blood vessel
excess bleeding
There are things you can do to help you recover from DVT (deep vein thrombosis).
After you leave hospital, you'll be encouraged to:
walk regularly
keep your affected leg raised when you're sitting
delay any flights or long journeys until at least 2 weeks after you start taking blood-thinning medicine
How using the HeatPulse
and Thermosleeve can help
The Thermosleeve and HeatPulse are great tools for hot and cold therapy to help you recover from your surgery.
Thermosleeve combines cold with compression for greater effectiveness in relieving pain and inflammation
HeatPulse combines heat and massage to boost blood flow to your knee, encouraging healing and improving range of motion
Swelling after knee surgery can last for three to six months after surgery. To help reduce inflammation and pain, you can use the Thermosleeve three to four times a day for about 10-20 minutes during the first few days after surgery.
After the initial swelling has gone down, you can alternate between the Thermosleeve and the HeatPulse to relax the muscles and ease stiffness.
The Thermosleeve and HeatPulse are great tools for hot and cold therapy to help you recover from your surgery.
Thermosleeve combines cold with compression for greater effectiveness in relieving pain and inflammation
HeatPulse combines heat and massage to boost blood flow to your knee, encouraging healing and improving range of motion
Swelling after knee surgery can last for three to six months after surgery. To help reduce inflammation and pain, you can use the Thermosleeve three to four times a day for about 10-20 minutes during the first few days after surgery.
After the initial swelling has gone down, you can alternate between the Thermosleeve and the HeatPulse to relax the muscles and ease stiffness.
Hear from customers
who have experienced relief
