The most common symptoms of a Deep Vein Thrombosis in the legs is pain, redness, and swelling of the affected limb, most commonly in the calf. Typically, a person will develop these symptoms after predisposing factor, like an injury or surgery or a long plane flight. However, a DVT can be unprovoked and occur out of the blue.
DVT symptoms often come on suddenly, and do not go away immediately. In general, the symptoms are constant in nature, meaning they do not come and go. Unfortunately, only about half of people with DVT’s have all of the symptoms, and some patients have few symptoms at all, so if there is any question in your mind, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Diagnostics for DVT
The treating provider will take a thorough medical history and perform a physical examination. The health care provider will likely ask questions about prior history of blood clots or any family history of blood clots or bleeding problems.
A number of tests are available to check for DVTs, the most commonly performed of these is a vascular ultrasound. This is a non-invasive imaging study where ultrasound is used to image non invasively through the skin to check for blood clots in the legs.
Sometimes an ultrasound will be performed in conjunction with a blood test, and in a few cases, more advanced imaging techniques such as CT, MRI or venogram are utilized to look at the deeper veins in the pelvis or chest.
How We Diagnose DVT
Ultrasound can see a blood clot blocking the flow of blood in the both the deep and superficial veins. It is an accurate test, and is safe in almost all patients.
When a DVT is discovered, we work with your physicians to manage the DVT and minimize potential for complications. This often includes use of compression stockings, medications, and routine check-ups.
We perform consultations for patients suspected of having or who have already been diagnosed with DVT at our Inovia® Vein Specialty Centers. We are currently scheduling patients in our clinics in Bend, NW Portland, Tigard, Happy Valley, and Hillsboro, Oregon.
To learn more about DVT diagnostics at one of our Oregon vein specialty centers, request a consultation with one of our specialists, or call 1-800-VEIN-DOC to make an appointment.