Learn About Thrombophlebitis

What is the definition of Thrombophlebitis?

Thrombophlebitis is swelling (inflammation) of a vein. A blood clot (thrombus) in the vein is the most common cause of this swelling.

What are the alternative names for Thrombophlebitis?

Phlebitis; Deep vein thrombosis - thrombophlebitis; Thrombophilia - thrombophlebitis

What are the causes of Thrombophlebitis?

Thrombophlebitis may affect deeper, larger veins or veins near the skin surface. Most of the time, it occurs in the pelvis and legs.

Blood clots may form when something slows or changes the flow of blood in the veins. Risk factors include:

  • A pacemaker catheter that has been passed through the vein in the groin
  • Bed rest or sitting in one position for too long, such as plane travel
  • Family history of blood clots, which may imply the presence of inherited disorders that lead to increased risk of clots. Common ones include deficiency or lack of antithrombin 3, protein C, and protein S, factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin abnormalities
  • Fractures in the pelvis or legs
  • Giving birth within the last 6 months
  • Pregnancy
  • Obesity
  • Recent surgery (most commonly hip, knee, or female pelvic surgery)
  • Too many blood cells being made by the bone marrow, causing the blood to be thicker than normal (polycythemia vera)
  • Having an indwelling (long-term) catheter in a blood vessel

Blood is more likely to clot in someone who has certain problems or disorders, such as:

  • Cancer
  • Certain autoimmune disorders, such as lupus
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Conditions that make it more likely to develop blood clots
  • Taking estrogens or birth control pills (this risk is even higher with smoking)
What are the symptoms of Thrombophlebitis?

Thrombophlebitis often causes the following symptoms:

  • Swelling in the part of the body affected
  • Pain in the part of the body affected
  • Skin redness (not always present)
  • Warmth and tenderness over the vein
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What are the current treatments for Thrombophlebitis?

Support stockings and wraps can help to reduce discomfort. Your provider may prescribe medicines such as:

  • Painkillers
  • Blood thinners to prevent new clots from forming, most often only prescribed when deep veins are involved
  • Medicines such as ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling
  • Medicines injected into the vein to dissolve an existing clot

You may be told to do the following:

  • Keep pressure off the area to reduce pain and decrease the risk for further damage.
  • Raise the affected area to reduce swelling.

Rare treatment options are:

  • Surgical removal of a vein near the surface
  • Vein stripping
  • Bypass of the vein
Who are the top Thrombophlebitis Local Doctors?
General Surgery
General Surgery

Central Dupage Physician Group

7 Blanchard Cir, 
Wheaton, IL 
 6.7 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Jeffrey Fronza is a General Surgeon in Wheaton, Illinois. Dr. Fronza and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thrombophlebitis. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Barrett Esophagus, Hiatal Hernia, Hernia Surgery, and Endoscopy. Dr. Fronza is currently accepting new patients.

General Surgery
General Surgery

Central Dupage Physician Group

7 Blanchard Cir, 
Wheaton, IL 
 6.7 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Anthony Altimari is a General Surgeon in Wheaton, Illinois. Dr. Altimari and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thrombophlebitis. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Hiatal Hernia, Gallbladder Disease, Hernia Surgery, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Altimari is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Surgical Oncology | General Surgery
Surgical Oncology | General Surgery

Central Dupage Physician Group

4405 Weaver Pkwy, 
Warrenville, IL 
 6.9 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

John Abad is a Surgical Oncologist and a General Surgeon in Warrenville, Illinois. Dr. Abad and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thrombophlebitis. His top areas of expertise are Familial Colorectal Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Familial Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatectomy, and Hernia Surgery. Dr. Abad is currently accepting new patients.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Thrombophlebitis?

Prompt treatment can treat thrombophlebitis and its other forms.

What are the possible complications of Thrombophlebitis?

Complications of thrombophlebitis include:

  • Blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
  • Chronic pain at the location of the thrombophlebitis
  • Chronic swelling at the location of the thrombophlebitis
When should I contact a medical professional for Thrombophlebitis?

Contact your provider if you have symptoms of thrombophlebitis.

Contact your provider right away if:

  • Your symptoms do not improve with treatment.
  • Your symptoms get worse.
  • New symptoms occur (such as an entire limb becoming pale, cold, or swollen).
How do I prevent Thrombophlebitis?

Routine changing of intravenous (IV) lines helps to prevent thrombophlebitis related to IVs.

If you are taking a long car or plane trip:

  • Walk or stretch your legs once in a while
  • Drink plenty of liquids
  • Wear support hose

If you are hospitalized, your provider may prescribe medicine to prevent thrombophlebitis.

What are the latest Thrombophlebitis Clinical Trials?
Effects of TENS During the Performance of a Therapeutic Exercise Protocol in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis: Controlled, Randomized, and Blinded Clinical Trial

Summary: Research participants diagnosed with knee Osteoarthritis will be randomized through a draw using sealed opaque envelopes indicating two groups: 1. Therapeutic Exercises + Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and 2. Therapeutic Exercises + placebo Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Therefore, individuals of both sexes, aged 40 years or over, with a clinical diagnosis of unilateral ...

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Effects of Topical Sesame Oil in the Prevention of Chemotherapy-associated Peripheral Venous Catheter Phlebitis: Clinical Trial.

Summary: Cancer is a disease that, despite having a higher cure rate, is currently on the rise, with an increase in the number of diagnoses. For the treatment of these patients a venous access is required, which in the first treatments is of peripheral insertion. These peripheral venous catheter in combination with the highly aggressive treatments for the veins are the cause of the appearance of chemical p...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: February 08, 2024
Published By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Wasan S. Superficial thrombophlebitis and its management. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 151.

Weitz JI, Eikelboom JW. Venous thrombosis and embolism. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 68.