Learning you have a blood clot (DVT) in the leg is frightening.
And even more unsettling is the thought that movement can cause it to break off and travel to the lung and become a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
If the broken-off portion of the clot is big enough, it can block both entryways for oxygen to the lungs, resulting in a quick death.
A person who’s been diagnosed with a DVT, or who believes they have one, may be afraid to be up and about walking.
Should movement be limited in someone diagnosed with a DVT?
If you’ve been diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis, you might be thinking that you should remain as still as possible so that it doesn’t break off and travel to your lungs.
“No, most DVTs are fixed to the wall of the vein and it is highly unlikely to dislodge unless the vein is exposed to vigorous compression or unnatural force,” says Darren Klass, MD, clinical instructor of interventional radiology at the University of British Columbia and the Vancouver Coastal Health Association.
When these blood clots do dislodge, it’s usually something that happens spontaneously, with no apparent trigger.
This is why if you suspect a blood clot in a leg, you should immediately go to the nearest emergency room. Have someone drive you!
Treatment will begin immediately after diagnosis.
A DVT may cause redness, warmth, pain, cramping and/or swelling in a leg or behind the knee.
Immobility
Dr. Klass adds, “Conversely, not moving with a DVT may increase the risk of the clot getting larger due to the lack of blood flow from the legs.
“For this reason, pneumatic compression devices are often used during and/or after major surgery when a patient is not ambulant in order to stimulate venous flow in the legs.”
Dr. K
