Non-surgical venous thrombectomy now available; walking, exercise key to prevention
Dr K.K. Pandey
If you suddenly begin to experience heaviness and strain in your legs and feet, followed by a slight swelling that gradually increases rapidly—along with worsening pain—you are advised not to take this problem lightly. Especially if this swelling in the legs occurs after a leg injury or a road traffic accident, do not remain idle. Consult a vascular surgeon immediately; otherwise, the problem may become serious, and the risk of losing one’s life may also increase.
Why is Sudden Swelling of Legs Dangerous?
The biggest reason for this is the accumulation of blood clots in the veins of the legs. Due to these clots, the process of oxygen-deficient venous (impure) blood ascending toward the heart is weakened, resulting in venous blood becoming clogged in the veins of the legs and feet. When these clots gradually accumulate, sudden swelling begins to increase in the feet. If these blood clots travel upward and reach the blood vessels (arteries) of the lungs, breathing difficulty will suddenly begin, and the risk of death will also increase. The condition of accumulation of blood clots in the leg veins is called DVT—Deep Vein Thrombosis.
Which People Are Victims of Sudden Swelling in the Legs?
People who neither walk regularly nor exercise often become victims of sudden leg swelling. Those who are overweight and either sit for long periods during the day (such as shopkeepers) or stand for long periods (such as traffic policemen) cannot avoid sudden swelling of the feet.
Women who sit in front of the television for hours every day and do not control their weight are also more prone to leg problems, such as swelling. Pregnant women often suffer from sudden leg swelling either during pregnancy or after delivery. Additionally, women taking hormones or contraceptive medicines are at risk of sudden swelling in the feet and legs. Cancer patients, especially those with lung, pancreatic, or intestinal cancer, are also at risk of leg swelling and blood clot accumulation in the leg veins.
What to Do If Your Feet Suddenly Swell?
Begin treatment immediately—without carelessness and without wasting precious time. Consult an experienced vascular surgeon immediately and undergo a special examination of the leg veins under his or her supervision, called a Venous Doppler Study. This will reveal whether blood clots have accumulated in the leg veins, in what quantity, and over what length of the leg vein involved. An echocardiogram of the heart should also be performed. If blood clots have reached the blood vessels of the lungs, a CT angiography of the lungs becomes necessary.
Methods of Treatment
If blood clots have accumulated in the leg veins:
– Walking and running should be stopped immediately, and the patient should take a rest.
– The feet should be kept elevated on pillows (place a pillow under the feet).
– Treatment should be started immediately under the supervision of a vascular surgeon, and blood-thinning medication should be administered.
Latest Treatment for Sudden Leg Swelling (DVT)
If blood clots have accumulated in the leg veins, CT venography of the legs (venous angiography) and pulmonary angiography should also be performed. If the blood clots have reached the blood vessels of the lungs, an IVC filter should be placed in the large abdominal vein (inferior vena cava) immediately to prevent blood clots from travelling upward from the legs to the lungs, thereby protecting the lungs. After inserting the IVC filter, blood clots must be cleared from the leg veins.
Non-Surgical Procedure – A Boon for Such Patients
Previously, cleaning blood clots was done through surgery, known in medical language as Vein Thrombectomy. However, nowadays, without making incisions on the leg, these blood clots are broken down, dissolved, and finally sucked out using highly specialised modern machines. This procedure is called non-surgical venous thrombectomy.
With this method:
– The patient’s health improves quickly, and pain reduces rapidly.
– Swelling of the legs decreases significantly.
– Due to the drastic reduction in blood clots, the lung blood vessels are protected from being flooded and clogged, thus averting danger to life.
– A second advantage is that with this method, there is no permanent swelling in the feet and legs in the future, and the possibility of wound formation (ulcers) in the feet is also reduced.
How to Prevent Sudden Swelling in Feet?
– Take a morning walk every day. Walk at least five kilometres daily.
– Do not let your weight increase.
– Do not sit continuously for more than one hour. After an hour of sitting, get up and walk for five to ten minutes before sitting again.
– Similarly, never stand continuously for more than one hour. Sit down for five minutes after an hour and keep your feet elevated on a stool.
– Perform proper leg exercises regularly.
Dr K.K. Pandey is a Senior Consultant, Department of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi
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