Treatment

How is it treated?

Superficial thrombophlebitis is treated symptomatically to relieve pain, discomfort and other symptoms such as fever. Rest and elevation of the limb for a few days and application of soothing heat pads together with simple pain relief will usually suffice. The condition is rarely associated with infection and antibiotics are generally not indicated. It is exceptional for the patient to need hospitalisation.

Treatment of DVT is aimed mainly at preventing embolism to the lungs or other vital organs. This is based mainly on the use of anticoagulant drugs (drugs which prevent blood clotting). Treatment is usually initiated with heparin given by injection and in most cases the patient needs to be hospitalised. Once the condition is stabilised treatment with oral warfarin is started and this is continued for 2-6 months depending on the age and condition of the patient.

Thrombolytic (clot-busting) treatment is helpful in treating cases where the DVT is in the more proximal veins and where the condition has been present for less than 72 hours. Resolution of the clot occurs within 2 days and this treatment has the advantage of preventing damage to the valves in many cases.

The patient is usually advised to wear effective compression hosiery for a period afterwards to control swelling.

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.