Clinical features

Superficial thrombophlebitis

The condition appears as a linear, thickened, tender cord which can be felt below the skin. There is usually an associated inflammation with the surrounding skin being reddened, hot and tender. There may be a throbbing localised pain.

Deep Vein thrombosis (DVT)

This can be symptomless in some cases, depending on the site of the affected vein, but may present with tenderness, often of the muscle surrounding the vein. The pain may be initially mistaken for a muscular strain. Obstruction to blood flow may result in oedema (fluid swelling) of the limb below the area of the obstruction. Where the vein is nearer the surface as in the region of the groin the thickened wall of the vein may be palpable

Distension of some of the surface veins may be apparent in the area. If the main veins draining the leg are thrombosed (the ilio-femoral veins) the whole limb may become swollen and pale (White leg).

Deep vein thrombosis poses a significant risk from thromboembolism, where part of the thrombus (clot) breaks away and travels through the system to lodge in the lung or other vital organs. In asymptomatic DVT the first indication of a problem may be the onset of symptoms of major thromboembolism or indeed of sudden death from that condition.

Chronic damage to the walls of the veins from inflammation and thrombosis can lead to chronic incompetence of the valves within the veins. This may lead to the condition of chronic venous insufficiency where the leg is persistently swollen with poor skin nourishment leading to ulceration.