Thrombophlebitis is an inflammatory process that causes a blood clot to form and block one or more veins, usually in the legs. The affected vein might be near the surface of the skin (superficial thrombophlebitis) or deep within a muscle (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). Causes include trauma, surgery or prolonged inactivity.
Superficial thrombophlebitis signs and symptoms include:
Warmth, tenderness and pain in the affected area
Redness and swelling
Deep vein thrombosis signs and symptoms include:
Pain
Swelling
When a vein close to the surface of the skin is affected, one might see a red, hard cord just under the surface of the skin that is tender to the touch. When a deep vein in the leg is affected, the leg may become swollen, tender and painful.
Early and middle (dystrophic) stages:
Cold in the affected limbs
Paresthesia
Pain
Intermittent limping
End (necrotic) stage:
Sloughing ulcers