Post-thrombotic syndrome is a condition that can happen to people who have had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the leg. The condition can cause chronic pain, swelling, and other symptoms in your leg. It may develop in the weeks or months following a DVT.
How is PTS diagnosed?
- There is no gold standard test to diagnose post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). The diagnosis is normally made by:
- Reviewing a patient’s history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and current symptoms
- Examining the leg
- Sometimes supplementing this information with an ultrasound
- An ultrasound doesn’t confirm the diagnosis, but it can help experts better understand if there are factors that might be contributing to PTS, such as a blocked vein or valve damage from the blood clot.
- Talk to your doctor if you’ve had a DVT and are still experiencing symptoms after several weeks or months. They may refer you to a specialist, such as a vascular surgeon, for further evaluation.
