Thrombophlebitis of upper extremities: symptoms and treatment, photo

What is thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities? Symptoms and treatment of this disease will be discussed further. Also, you will learn about the reasons for the occurrence of such a pathological condition and what its prognosis is.

Basic information

Thrombophlebitis is the inflammation of the venous wall, which is characterized by the formation of a thrombus. Such a disease can develop on the upper and lower extremities. Moreover, it can affect not only superficial, but also deep veins.

Causes

Why there is thrombophlebitis of the veins of the upper extremities? Such a pathological condition can develop due to several factors at once. In traditional medicine, there are three reasons:

• Thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities, which should be treated only by an experienced doctor, can arise due to a sharp increase in blood coagulability. To contribute to this state can give birth, pregnancy, genetic predisposition and the presence of diabetes.
• Thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities, the symptoms of which are known to many, very often develops as a result of injuries to the inner walls of blood vessels. Usually this happens during the wrong injection. In addition, radiation treatment and chemotherapy may cause trauma.
• The third factor of this deviation is the slowed blood circulation. Usually it occurs against the background of the development of varicose veins, excess weight and limb immobility.

One can not help saying that the disease under consideration can arise against several factors. For example, with bone fracture, not only internal hemorrhage occurs, but blood clotting levels also increase significantly. As a result of such a pathological process, inflammation in the veins can develop.

Pathogenesis

How does thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities develop? Symptoms and treatment of this ailment should be known to all patients prone to it. Most often, the disease in question develops after mechanical damage. They can be provoked by various traumas, gynecological or surgical operations, childbirth. The basis of the pathogenesis of thrombophlebitis is the triad of Virchow. As is known, it includes the endothelium of the vein wall, increased coagulability of the blood and a delayed process of blood flow.

An important role in the development of such a disease is played by the endothelium of the vessels. This process is characterized by the defeat of the hands and the secretion of interleukins. The latter activate cascade (coagulation) and platelets. As a result, the surface of the endothelium acquires thrombogenicity. It should also be noted that tissue thromboplastins can also contribute to the formation of thrombus. In large quantities, they enter the bloodstream from damaged tissues.

In parallel with the described processes, compensatory mechanisms can also be started. These include complete, partial or spontaneous thrombolysis, as well as the formation of collateral circulation.

Symptoms

How does thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities appear? Symptoms, photos and treatment of this ailment will be presented in this article.

Very often such an inflammatory process develops because of varicose veins. Common symptoms of this disease are pain. They can be mild and sharp. There is also redness in the area where the vein is very well probed. Over time, it becomes heavy and rough. In parallel with such processes, the patient's body temperature can rise.

It should be specially noted that superficial thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities does not pose a particular danger. Closure of thrombus in this state is impossible, so there is no threat to human life. However, it is very important to properly organize treatment and prevent the transition of the disease in the process of affecting deep veins.

What other symptoms are characteristic of the disease in question? Thrombophlebitis can increase lymph nodes. Also, severe pain syndromes are often observed towards the affected vein.

Deep thrombophlebitis of the upper limbs

Most often, the defeat of the deep veins of a person occurs after intravenous administration of drugs that can lead to the development of irritation. Also, the cause of such thrombophlebitis is often the local injury and insect bite. When lesions of deep veins are observed on their course, flushing and infiltration. Visually, this process is quite similar to the crimson band, which is located in the area of the inflammatory process. Immediately there is painful palpation and the presence of dense nodules. Also on the affected area there is a so-called stitch, which is represented by a noticeable seal.

In the event that the lesion has swallowed the vessels on the wrist or the cubital veins, the patient's mobility of the joints is impaired. This is due to severe pain. In addition, the process under consideration is almost always accompanied by an increase in temperature. With adequate therapy, thrombophlebitis recedes after about 12 days. In the process of treatment, inflammatory phenomena subsided, and the vein is completely restored.

Diagnostics

How is thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities diagnosed? Symptoms and treatment of this disease is determined by a narrow specialist - phlebologist. He also diagnoses this disease. How does this happen? Such activities are quite simple. They are performed by means of ultrasound dopplerography and rheovasography. To obtain more accurate information, ultrasonic duplex angioscanning is used. This process is carried out through the color coding of the blood flow.

Thanks to this diagnosis, it is possible to assess not only the condition of the venous walls, but also their lumen. It is also possible to determine the thrombotic masses and the nature of the formed thrombus. Sometimes such methods allow to judge even about the approximate "age" of the thrombus. By the way, ultrasound scanning of veins under the skin also reveals the extent of the thrombus.

As for laboratory diagnostics, it does not play a special role. Such methods allow to reveal only inflammatory process, thus they do not fix, in what organ there was a thrombus.

Thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities: symptoms and treatment

The signs of such a disease have been described above. How to treat it? Conservative therapy with thrombophlebitis is possible only if the area of the lesion is small. When deep vein disease is very often resorted to surgical intervention. Drug therapy of this disease is aimed at preventing possible complications, as well as preventing the formation of a thrombus.

To eliminate the inflammatory processes, resort to such drugs as "Diclofenac", "Ibuprofen" and "Aspirin". They not only eliminate inflammation, but also reduce puffiness and reduce pain. Quite widely with thrombophlebitis apply direct anticoagulants. They allow you to improve blood flow (for example, "Heparin", "Fraksiparin" and "Enoxaparin"). Also often resort to thrombolytics.

With such a disease, the patient needs a bed rest. Affected upper limbs should be located on the dais. This normalizes the outflow of blood and significantly reduces the risk of thromboembolism.

Forecast

Thrombophlebitis is a most dangerous disease. Despite this, it is well treatable. If therapy was started on time, then the prognosis will be favorable.

After carrying out conservative treatment or surgical intervention, the blood flow is usually normalized. But even after that, patients should take medication and use compression knitwear.