Phlebitis is a blood clot that sometimes develops in a blood vein that is very close to the skin’s surface. These clots are sometimes called superficial thrombophlebitis or superficial venous thrombosis. Although they seldom cause life threatening issues, phlebitis may be painful and need treatment.
Depending on the pain level and determination of complications, health care providers will recommend phlebitis treatment options that are specific to the patient and their symptoms. More than likely, treatments such as pain and/or anti-inflammatory medications will be prescribed to help the patient deal with the pain. Sometimes, an anticoagulation medication such as Coumadin will be prescribed in conjunction with the pain medication and anti-inflammatory to gain control over the problem. If none of these treatments resolve the issues, surgery may be warranted.
In rare instances phlebitis can affect the patient’s circulation and may cause pain enough to cause the patient to become immobile or incapable of functioning normally on a daily basis. In this case, surgically removing or stripping away the vein may be needed. Doctors may also recommend surgery to prevent phlebitis from progressing into a more serious condition called pulmonary embolism.
If phlebitis surgery is recommended, it can be performed by a vascular surgeon either in a hospital or an outpatient care facility. The surgery will probably consist of dilating the vein and then either removing or tying off the vein through a small incision. There are several processes that can be used to remove or tie the vein, but in many surgeons choose the minimally invasive surgery known as endoscopic vein removal.
Thankfully, simple treatments for phlebitis almost always help with the pain.
If you are suffering from phlebitis, seeking the advice from a medical professional can help you decide which treatment is best for you.