Deep venous thrombosis (DVT)

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a medical condition that has gained notoriety as "economy class syndrome" in recent years. It is not a sports injury but is caused instead by immobilisation of the calf veins. Athletes can suffer from DVT after airline travel and surgery. Other known risk factors include smoking, family history and the contraceptive pill in women.

DVT can be a serious and even fatal disorder, as clots in the calf can break off and block blood vessels in the lung (called a pulmonary embolus).

A DVT needs to be suspected in a case of unexplained calf pain and swelling, particularly in a background of immobilisation.

Steve Waugh has previously suffered a mild DVT on return from the Ashes tour in 2001. Andrew Gaze had a very rare variety of DVT occurring in his upper limb after prolonged painting early in his basketball career. He was forced to take 4 months off basketball.

Treatment for a DVT is to thin the blood for a period of months to prevent further clots forming. Unfortunately anti-coagulant treatment is not compatible with playing contact sport. Prevention of DVT is important in period of prolonged immobilisation. Aspirin or NSAIDs can be taken to thin the blood.

To post a comment or ask a question about these injuries, visit the cricketinjuries Forum, click here .

Anatomical pictures in this Website are provided by www.primalpictures.com

LEGEND
Forum Post	Research	Internal Link	PDF Document	Recommended Link
Website Content	Satire	Magazine Article	Newspaper Article