DVT aftermath

[xsfxsf]

I mentioned I had a DVT a few weeks back, large clot in entire leg (how long does that mean clot was there to get to whole leg?). Had to take shots and Coumadin, but now just Coumadin while they try and get the INR level right. Leg still very swollen.

Am curious what to expect long-term. They don't seem to know if swelling would ever go down. I read a post on postthrombotic syndrome, but the main symptom seems to be pain which I wouldn't feel. I would like the swelling to go down just because it looks very weird to have this elephantine foot.

Also I just noticed today there is a cut on the back of (that is, behind) my knee on the leg were the DVT was (is). So it's right in the center of where the DVT was. It's about three inches long, horizontal. It kind of follows the fold in the skin when you bend your knee. It was oozing pus last night but is dry now. It is red on the outside and yellow in the middle. There is an opening about 1/2 inch big in the center. Is this related to the DVT?

Edit: I looked at some pictures of pressure sores and I may go the ER. My doctor is out until Tuesday, I'm not sure I want to risk waiting so long.

I think this cut may have been caused by the anti-embolism stockings I had. These stocking had a kind of sticky elastic on the top. Could these have caused the cut? Why would they make anti-embolism stockings that could cause a pressure sore? Or maybe cause they said elevate the leg and leg was on pillow, maybe pillow caused sore?

[WarrenJ]

I had a DVT but a high fever was the symptom that spurn the curiosity of DVT. Get on the Cumadin get therapeutic because this is nothing to play with because if it is thrown off and have to pass thru Heart and lungs (PE) this could be fatal. Do you have IVC filter to protect from PE? How ambultory are u? you should once a day an when u sleep, ly with your feet above your heart to assist with circulation issues. It usually takes 3 to 6 months to dissolve DVT.

[SCI-Nurse]

Clots can grow very fast - especially if there are other factors that may contribute to them other than your SCI. You need to stay on the coumadin at least 6 months if not longer. Did your doctor mention putting in a filter? That is not uncommon particularily if the clot is large.

It will take several months for the swelling to come down. And regarding the open area, do NOT fool around with it. Go see someone- ED or Urgent care if your own doc is not around. Did you leave the anti-embolism stockings on without removing them and giving your skin a break? Did you keep your feet elevated?

CKF

[Lazlo]

I too had massive DVTs, first in the left leg, then in the right. The second one ran from just above the ankle all the way up to my filter. Thank goodness I had the filter in place or it might have continued up to my lungs! I'm on blood thinner for 4 life now LOL!

In both cases it took about two months for the swelling to subside, although my feet never went completely back to normal. I made a point to keep the stockings on during the day, and to elevate my legs as much as possible. Now, my legs will swell up if I'm sitting upright all day, but will go back down again in the evening.

If your doc recommends a filter you should definitely consider it, like I mentioned mine probably saved my life.

[xsfxsf]

Originally Posted by SCI-Nurse

Clots can grow very fast - especially if there are other factors that may contribute to them other than your SCI. You need to stay on the coumadin at least 6 months if not longer. Did your doctor mention putting in a filter? That is not uncommon particularily if the clot is large.

It will take several months for the swelling to come down. And regarding the open area, do NOT fool around with it. Go see someone- ED or Urgent care if your own doc is not around. Did you leave the anti-embolism stockings on without removing them and giving your skin a break? Did you keep your feet elevated?

CKF

Just got back from Urgent Care. They gave me antibiotics and said, come back in a few days. They were concerned because the symptoms of DVT (swelling, heat redness) and infection were the same but eventually were persuaded it was not that serious. No, haven't heard about a filter but I've sort of reached my lifetime quota for operations by this point. They did seem to think it was possible elevating the leg by resting it on a pillow might indeed have caused the sore in the first place. I mean it's not so easy to elevate a leg safely lying in bed (perfect example of how doctors say "elevate your leg" without thinking through just how difficult this really is to do in practice). The longest I had the stockings on was 24-36 hours or so. And I noticed at one point where the elastic was around my thigh was very red. But the elastic should not have gone where this new sore was so I doubt it was the stockings.