Treatment of post-thrombophlebitic disease in Kharkiv

Post-thrombophlebitic disease (PTPD) is a persistent disorder of venous outflow, leading to edema formation, pain, trophic ulcers in the legs. It develops in patients with deep vein thrombosis. Early diagnosis and treatment reduces the risk of trophic changes and enables to avoid surgical intervention. Therefore, patients with thrombosis in personal or family history, as well as people at risk (elderly people, heavy smokers, those who use hormonal drugs) are recommended to be regularly checked by a phlebologist.

What is post-thrombophlebitic disease?

To establish the causes of the pathological condition, it is necessary to understand the mechanism of vein work recovery after thrombosis. The thrombus temporarily blocks the vessel lumen, disrupting its normal functioning. Gradually, the thrombus dissolves, or connective tissue grows in its place, causing occlusion (overlap) of the artery. But even if the lumen persists, the valves responsible for blood “pumping” have already been destroyed, so it loses its efficiency.

As a result, the fluid flow is redistributed, and the load on the superficial vessels increases. They expand, become less elastic, and wear out faster. The entire vascular system of the lower extremities suffers.

Partially, the raise of venous blood to the heart is due to muscular work. But due to the deteriorating nutrition of the cells, the muscles lose their tone. The veins fill up and fluid builds up in the legs, causing swelling. With severe disorders, microcirculation also suffers - trophic ulcers appear.

The disease progress is assessed by the appearing symptoms. At the initial stage, the patient experiences slight edema and the effect of “heavy legs”. Then the pigmented lesion of the skin occurs - blue and purple ring marks are formed. The last stage is ulcerative lesions.

Also, the post-thrombophlebitic disease is manifested by the following symptoms:

• feeling of fullness and spreading in the lower extremities, especially after physical exertion, prolonged standing;
• night cramps;
• varix dilatation;
• regular edema with gradual fibrous degeneration of cells (feels like induration);
• problems with the skin on the legs – dermatitis, eczema.

The first signs appear months and years after thrombosis; the rate of PTPD progression is individual. But an early visit to a phlebologist can significantly reduce the risk of dangerous complication.

How to treat post-thrombophlebitic disease?

Complex treatment of PTPD is aimed at:

• improved blood flow from the legs;
• strengthening the venous apparatus;
• increasing of lymphatic drainage efficiency;
• removal of accompanying symptoms.

In the initial stages, phlebologists prescribe the wearing of compression socks or stockings. They redistribute pressure in the lower extremities, reducing the load on the circulatory system and facilitating the reverse movement of venous blood. If there is a risk of re-thrombosis, the patient is prescribed anticoagulants to prevent the fluid thickening.

Also, other drug therapy is carried out: with the help of various means, the work of the vessels is stimulated, the elasticity of their walls is strengthened and increased. Varicose veins are removed by vascular surgeons.

With proper treatment, the prognosis for post-thrombophlebitic disease is good, but a patient should be regularly followed up by a phlebologist. You can do this in Kharkiv at the medical center “ON Clinic Kharkiv”.