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A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein. The DVT usually forms in a deep leg vein and can cause immobility (lack of movement). Deep leg veins are the larger veins that run through the muscles of the calf and thigh. A DVT can form across all or part of the width of your vein, which can block your blood flow either completely or partially.

Symptoms
The symptoms of a DVT in the leg include:

- swelling,

- pain,

-warm skin,

-tenderness, and

-redness, particularly at the back of your leg, below the knee.

A DVT usually (although not always) affects one leg. The pain may be made worse by bending your foot upward towards your knee. In some cases, there may be no signs or symptoms of DVT at all in the leg. The problem may only become apparent when a pulmonary embolism (see 'complications' section) develops as a result of the blood clot in the leg.

Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include breathlessness, chest pain and, in severe cases, collapse. Both DVT and pulmonary embolism are serious conditions that require urgent investigation and treatment.

Causes
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) sometimes occurs in normal veins for no apparent reason. However, the risk of developing DVT is increased in certain circumstances.

-Immobility (lack of movement)

-Previous DVT and vein damage

-Medical and genetic conditions

-Pregnancy

-Contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

-Your risk of developing DVT is also increased if you are:

    * obese,

    * a smoker, or

    * over 40 years of age (particularly if you have a condition that restricts your mobility).

Diagnosis
As there are many different causes of a swollen, painful calf, it can be difficult to diagnose deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from the symptoms alone. If your GP suspects that you have DVT, they will usually recommend that you have some tests done as quickly as possible.

There are a number of tests that can be used to diagnose DVT, which will often need to be carried out in hospital.

D-dimer test
A specialised blood test, known as the D-dimer test, is sometimes used to detect pieces of a blood clot that have been broken down and are loose in your blood stream.

Ultrasound scan
An ultrasound scan can be used to detect a clot in the vein of your leg.

Venogram
If the results of a D-dimer test and an ultrasound scan cannot confirm a diagnosis of DVT, a venogram might be used. This is a more detailed test that involves a contrast dye being injected into the vein in your leg. An X-ray is then used to see whether the dye is flowing through your vein, or if it is blocked by a blood clot.

Treatment
Treating deep vein thrombosis (DVT) will prevent the clot getting larger, breaking off (an embolism) and travelling up the vein to your lungs (see 'complications' section). It can also reduce the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome (also see 'complications') and prevent a further DVT from occurring in the future.

-Anticoagulation (thinning of the blood)

-Heparins

-Warfarin

-Compression stockings

-Raising your leg

We greatly appreciate the assistance from the NHS for the above information.