Post-thrombotic syndrome - treatment and prevention with elastic bandages
Post-thrombotic syndrome is the changes that develop in the legs (less commonly the arms) after deep vein thrombosis has occurred. Its second name is post-thrombotic phlebitic syndrome (PTPS). Doctors may also use the term “post-thrombotic disease”.
Personalized E-mail newsletter
2 times a month you will receive medical advice from specialists and an announcement of new articles from Lauma Medical
Why does post-thrombotic syndrome develop?
In chronic venous insufficiency, the leg vessels cannot cope with their function of pushing blood towards the heart, so it lingers in the veins, causing swelling and blood clots. Increased blood clotting and damage to the vessel walls contribute to this.
A blood clot can completely block a vein, break off and enter the pulmonary vessels, or dissolve, either partially or completely. This process is called recanalization of the blood clot
A blood clot can completely block a vein, break off and enter the pulmonary vessels, or dissolve, either partially or completely. This process is called recanalization of the blood clot
Some patients do not develop complications after treatment of acute deep vein thrombosis, but in many patients doctors diagnose post-thrombotic syndrome after some time. It occurs due to increased pressure in the vessels and disruption of the vein valve apparatus. Also, a partially destroyed thrombus can impair blood circulation in the legs.
Main manifestations of post-thrombotic syndrome
The manifestations of PTFS are diverse, but at the heart of them is always a violation of blood outflow from the veins. Patients typically present with:
- leg pain, sometimes very severe;
- swelling;
- a feeling of heaviness, tightness, fatigue;
- skin discoloration;
- the appearance of trophic ulcers.
How to treat post-thrombotic syndrome?
Usually, the symptoms of the disease are quickly reduced if it is possible to restore normal blood flow in the veins. For this purpose, doctors recommend using elastic bandages or compression knitwear.
At the beginning of treatment, phlebologists favor compression bandaging, usually using a medical elastic bandage with a medium degree of extensibility. It creates compression (pressure) on the leg tissues during movement and thus imitates the work of the muscular-venous pump of the lower limbs - makes the blood move towards the heart.
However, at rest, a medium-stretch elastic bandage does not put too much pressure on the vessels, so the patient does not experience unpleasant sensations and his blood circulation in the legs does not suffer. This is especially important for people with diabetes or arterial disease.
At the beginning of treatment, phlebologists favor compression bandaging, usually using a medical elastic bandage with a medium degree of extensibility. It creates compression (pressure) on the leg tissues during movement and thus imitates the work of the muscular-venous pump of the lower limbs - makes the blood move towards the heart.
However, at rest, a medium-stretch elastic bandage does not put too much pressure on the vessels, so the patient does not experience unpleasant sensations and his blood circulation in the legs does not suffer. This is especially important for people with diabetes or arterial disease.
What is the usefulness of a medium-stretch elastic bandage?
A medium-stretch medical elastic bandage can provide varying degrees of compression, depending on how many layers are applied. This makes it more comfortable than compression stockings and socks. With proper bandaging, leg swelling quickly goes away, the nutrition of the leg tissues is restored and even deep trophic ulcers heal.
The use of medical elastic bandages (and later compression knitwear) is the “gold standard” of modern phlebology in the treatment of post-thrombotic syndrome. This method allows to improve the course of the disease, alleviate unpleasant symptoms, prevent complications, and significantly reduce the patient's costs
The use of medical elastic bandages (and later compression knitwear) is the “gold standard” of modern phlebology in the treatment of post-thrombotic syndrome. This method allows to improve the course of the disease, alleviate unpleasant symptoms, prevent complications, and significantly reduce the patient's costs
In addition, a medical elastic bandage of medium stretchability will help prevent the development of PTPS after acute deep vein thrombosis - if used in a timely manner and under the supervision of a doctor. And thanks to the high-quality composition (the content of cotton in the product reaches 96%), even multi-layer compression bandaging will not irritate the skin of the legs, cause sweating or unpleasant sensations in patients of any age.