In this review, we critically assess the literature on the incidence of postphlebitic syndrome, risk factors for its occurrence, available therapeutic options, and its effects on quality of life. As well, we describe available tools to measure postphlebitic syndrome. Recent prospective studies indicate that postphlebitic syndrome, a chronic, potentially disabling condition characterized by leg swelling, pain, venous ectasia, and skin induration, is established by 1 year after deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in 17% to 50% of patients. The only prospectively identified risk factor for its occurrence is recurrent ipsilateral DVT. In the sole randomized study available, daily use of elastic compression stockings after proximal DVT reduced the incidence of postphlebitic syndrome by 50%. Treatment options for established postphlebitic syndrome are limited, but include compression stockings and intermittent compressive therapy with an extremity pump for severe cases. To date, quality of life after DVT has received little attention in the literature. The recent development of the VEINES-QOL questionnaire, a validated venous-disease-specific measure of quality of life, should encourage researchers to include quality of life as a routine outcome measure after DVT. There is no criterion standard for the diagnosis of postphlebitic syndrome, but a validated clinical scoring system does exist. More research on postphlebitic syndrome is needed to enable us to provide DVT patients with comprehensive, evidence-based information regarding their long-term prognosis, to help quantify the prevalence and health care burden of postphlebitic syndrome, and by identifying predictors of poor outcome, to develop new preventive strategies in patients at risk of developing this condition.(more...)

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Yes, life after DVT is not always that easy to accept, but the faster you accept that there are going to be some changes in your life, the better it will be for your mental health. My doctor has told me that I will become a long term warfarin user to minimise the chance of reccurence of another blood clot. What that means to me SPECIFICALLY is that I have to give-up a lifestyle that I have enjoyed for the last ten years. I was an avid mountain bike rider, which is an extrem sport, the chances of me cutting myself on a branch or during a crash(which happens a lot) are enormous. I'm still not sure how I will replace that void in my life with. Because of the type of work I do, I have every summers off, so I was able to ride almost every day, many trips were put together with the soul purpose of going to mountain bike meccas, British Colombia, Colorado, Vermount, just to name a few.
No more.
So, life after DVT is very demanding, if you ask me, but living outweight the chance of injuring myself and not be able to control the bleeding. I have met many people that have been affected by this disease and they have to make the same decision as I have to make and accept it a reality.
By talking about it, we can help ourselves fully understand the down side of DVT.
You are more then welcome to share your thoughts and your decisions here.
dero

Just wondering, are there other people like myself, who cannot wear these compression socks? I developped an alergic reaction to the sock two weeks after I started wearing it.
Is there a big difference between wearing one or not? Does wearing one, lessen the swelling?

On feb 21/08 I had a talk with the nurse that is in charge of the SOX study(this study is to determine if the compression socks have a positive effect on outpatients who have suffered a lower extremety DVT), after seing how swelled up my leg was, she asked me if I wanted to try the compression sock again? Not really being sure if indeed I had an alergic reaction to it, we decided to try it out for a week and she told me that if I saw any rash developping, to immediatly stop wearing the sock. It now has been two and a half week and no rash, plus the swelling has gone down NOTICABLY!!! I will continue wearing he sock, since it is helping my leg, hoping that last summer's experience was only to a heat rash.

My doctor never suggested that I wear the fuggly...hmmm, something I must ask him about

I assumed it was only necessary while taking long trips but clearly not if I read some of the posts.

My leg hurts again today - clearly when I'm sitting at my desk too much even though I try to get up and walk every hour or so. I've ordered a leg exerciser - hoping that will help the circulation while I'm at my desk

Psssssssssssst Gizmo, try getting up and walking every half hours, plus hydrate, hydrate, hydrate...