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Is A Blood Clot In The Leg An Artery Or A Vein Problem?
Question: Told for yrs. I have blood clot in left leg by Vascular Surgeon. I am on Pentoxifylline. 3x a day. Artery. Tested today because of lots of pain. The vein showed nothing, Why would hospital run test on vein when it is the Artery problem that I have.
Brief Answer:
clots most commonly seen in veins,this is the reason may have checked first
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Normally when persons are said to have a clot in the leg, it is referring to a clot in one of the veins of the leg.
This is likely the reason the vein was tested, because this is the most common type of clot seen.
If there was a significant clot in the arteries, then the pulses in the leg should be reduced, the femoral pulse in the groin area, the popiteal pulse in the knee, the posterial tibial pulse in the ankle region and the dorsalis pedis pulse in the foot.
Pentoxyfylline is used for poor arterial circulation in the leg.
There are tests to check the arterial circulation in the leg and one of these can done to check these blood vessels
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
clots most commonly seen in veins,this is the reason may have checked first
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Normally when persons are said to have a clot in the leg, it is referring to a clot in one of the veins of the leg.
This is likely the reason the vein was tested, because this is the most common type of clot seen.
If there was a significant clot in the arteries, then the pulses in the leg should be reduced, the femoral pulse in the groin area, the popiteal pulse in the knee, the posterial tibial pulse in the ankle region and the dorsalis pedis pulse in the foot.
Pentoxyfylline is used for poor arterial circulation in the leg.
There are tests to check the arterial circulation in the leg and one of these can done to check these blood vessels
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for info. I really need some answers. Been having a lot of pain in my leg. Very difficult to walk when I wake up. I'm also on Warfarin. MG changes frequently. I just want to go back to feeling better and having less worry. So if I continue with meds my leg will be less painful. I never miss taking meds. Lots of pain when I wake up. In my mind it is only getting worse. Why does Coshocton Hospital always check the vein and not artery?
Before I moved here I had a yearly test done on my leg. I missed this yr and I keep thinking that's why my leg hurts so bad. My ankle even hurts.
Before I moved here I had a yearly test done on my leg. I missed this yr and I keep thinking that's why my leg hurts so bad. My ankle even hurts.
Brief Answer:
may need additional imaging
Detailed Answer:
HI
The warfarin would reduce the chance of another clot but would not help with pain relief..
Pain related to poor arterial circulation can commonly become worse after walking because when a person moves about, their leg needs more blood. If an artery is blocked then the blood cannot get to where it is needed and pain occurs.
In a very severe block of arteries there is pain with activity and at rest but the pulse would be diminished.
In addition to checking the blood vessels, you may want to consider imaging of the bones to make sure that the pain is not related to changes in bone.
Xray of the knees and ankles would be helpful
may need additional imaging
Detailed Answer:
HI
The warfarin would reduce the chance of another clot but would not help with pain relief..
Pain related to poor arterial circulation can commonly become worse after walking because when a person moves about, their leg needs more blood. If an artery is blocked then the blood cannot get to where it is needed and pain occurs.
In a very severe block of arteries there is pain with activity and at rest but the pulse would be diminished.
In addition to checking the blood vessels, you may want to consider imaging of the bones to make sure that the pain is not related to changes in bone.
Xray of the knees and ankles would be helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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