Vein problem in a limb

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Vein problem in a limb

Occasionally one of the veins near the surface of the skin may become irritated and inflamed. This can occur in any vein but is most common in the lower leg veins. This is called superficial thrombophlebitis.

• You may be able to feel a lumpy, warm, tender area or see redness along the length of a vein.
• Clots in a vein just under the skin surface rarely cause serious problems, because they seldom break off and travel through the bloodstream. Although this condition is less worrisome than inflammation in one of the deep leg veins, it may still require evaluation.
• Superficial thrombophlebitis is often treated with rest and anti-inflammatory medications.

Leg vein

Clots in a deep leg vein (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) are serious because a clot can break loose and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs (pulmonary embolism), which may be life-threatening. Leg symptoms include:

• Swelling, pain, and possibly redness in one leg or a noticeable new difference in the size of one leg.
• Pain in the calf when walking or when the foot is flexed upward.

Most varicose veins are not a serious medical problem. Stress on the weakened veins can sometimes lead to complications such as sores, bleeding, or superficial blood clots that need further evaluation.

Credits

Last updated:	August 04, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer