What the consumer has to understand is that thrombophlebitis of superficial veins is not dangerous. Blood clots in superficial veins rarely break off and migrate to lungs. In deep veins, blood clots frequently break off and migrate to lungs (pulmonary embolism). This condition can be life threatening.
Thrombophlebitis occurs because something has irritated the vein. In most cases, this is a blood clot or some type of trauma. The vein reacts by releasing a wide variety of chemicals that cause an inflammatory reaction. The typical symptoms of thrombophlebitis include:
- Pain which is mild to moderate
- Swelling of legs or hands
- Tenderness to touch
- Redness which is localized
- Pain may cause one to Limp when walking
- Area may feel warm to touch
Any medical condition that causes blood clots to form in the vein can cause thrombophlebitis.
Most common risk factors for thrombophlebitis include
- Prolonged period of bed rest- usually after surgery
- Long distance flying or driving
- After surgery- generally hip or knee but all
surgeries can lead to formation of blood clots
- After a stroke
- Following a heart attack
- Many cancers can lead to blood clot formation
- Pregnancy
- Use of birth control pill
- Trauma to veins
- Obesity
- Inherited blood clotting disorders
- Smokers
- Long term intravenous cannulation
One of the main causes of superficial thrombophlebitis is neglected IV lines in hospitalized patients.
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