Thrombophlebitis help

[Sentic1989]

Hi, 3 months ago my girlfriend started complaining of a pain in the back of her knee, after a lengthy process of doctors appointments it was confirmed that she had thrombophlebitis in the back of her knee and subscribed to a 10 day courses of blood thinners. The doctors also made an appointment to see her 6 months after the first appointment for a check up which means she will miss the whole of the diving season this year.

we asked the specialist if she could fly and he confirmed that because it wasn't a thrombosis that she was clear to fly.

the thrombophlebitis now physically cleared up, the pain has disappeared and she has started going martial arts again without issues. but out ultimate concern is, would she be fit to dive?

i've searched the forum for thrombophlebitis but there is very little information available to me here or online and i would really appreciate if somebody has some more information for me who can share a little light.

Thanks for you time
~Adam

 

[DocVikingo]

The thrombophlebitis now physically cleared up, the pain has disappeared and she has started going martial arts again without issues. but out ultimate concern is, would she be fit to dive?~Adam

Hi Adam,

Fitness to dive would be largely dependent upon the history, location & cause of the episode of thrombophlebitis. If a superficial vein is involved, complications typically are not expected. However, an event involving a deep vein can result in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and a potentially life-threatening pulmonary embolism (PE), either topside or u/w. And the risk of the latter could be increased by the dehydration inherent in scuba.

As to cause, a transient & reversible one, such as an acute injury to a vein or a temporary but long-lasting immobility, generally is of much less concern than when the cause is something like an inherited blood-clotting disorder.

An individual who has had a one-time event of thrombophlebitis that: (1) involved only a single location, (2) involved a superficial vein, (3) was due to a cause not related to systemic abnormalities of coagulation (e.g., systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) or an inherited blood-clotting disorder (e.g., Factor V Leiden)), (4) cleared completely without residuals, (5) is no longer being treated & (6) is no longer causing discomfort or limiting the full range of activity, very likely does not pose a meaningful threat to future scuba. However, as the clinical picture deviates from this the particular concerns must be addressed.

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

 

[Sentic1989]

Thank you for your reply docvikingo,

She has no history of blood clots and no previous history within the family either. The location of the thrombophlebitis was in a superficial vein behind the fleshy area behind the knee. the effected area was inflamed and there was previously a red mark which was painful to the touch. the course is believe to be because of her job standing still for long hours behind a desk. the thrombophlebitis coursed immobility for a week while she was taking the blood thinners.

3 months after completing the course of blood thinner we were able to do achieve several hours of walking without issues.