A contributor to DVT that can cause deep, throbbing pain
Do you feel persistent leg pain when sitting in a chair? Do your legs ache after driving the car? If you have throbbing or aching leg pain, it’s possible that you could have May-Thurner Syndrome. But you could also have this condition with no outward symptoms at all.
May-Thurner Syndrome (MTS), also known as iliac vein compression syndrome, occurs when the venous outflow of the left lower leg causes swelling, pain, and blot clots in the veins. Patients usually first notice it as a dull or pulsing ache in the lower legs, but some people don’t know they have it until visiting a doctor.
The National Institutes of Health calls May-Thurner Syndrome a “not so uncommon cause of a common condition,” because it is rarely diagnosed but is a common contributor to deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The lesions that form deep within the body aren’t visible to the patient but can be properly diagnosed by Maryland Vascular Specialists.
The symptoms of May-Thurner Syndrome can be similar to other vascular conditions, but it is a distinct diagnosis. A patient usually experiences the syndrome through symptoms like:
Left untreated, this syndrome can be life-threatening. If a blood clot builds up and breaks free in the body, it can cause a pulmonary embolism that affects your lungs and breathing.
The exact cause of May-Thurner Syndrome is not clearly understood. There is a relationship between it and other vascular disorders, so if you have another vascular disorder, you are more likely to have May-Thurner as well.
May-Thurner Syndrome is found in somewhere between 18% and 49% of patients with lower extremity DVT. The wide range exists because many patients are not officially diagnosed as having May-Thurner Syndrome and may simply be told that they have DVT.
Genetics likely play a role in this syndrome. If you have a family history of vascular problems, you should share this information with your doctor.
May-Thurner Syndrome occurs more commonly in the left lower leg than the right. For this reason, patients often come to their doctor complaining of persistent left leg pain. They may describe leg pain while sitting, lying in bed, or being still for extended periods of time.
Some people don’t have pain but arrive at the doctor due to redness, swelling, or a sensation of warmth. Because these symptoms can be similar to other conditions, a vascular specialist must carefully diagnosis this condition as separate from others.
Diagnosis usually occurs through:
Traditionally, the treatment for May-Thurner Syndrome was rather invasive and involved clearing the blood clot through endovascular surgery. While this is still sometimes necessary, treatments have evolved over the years.
Today, there are less invasive options for treating May-Thurner Syndrome and preventing your condition from worsening. The main focus is on correcting the underlying compression of the left iliac vein and preventing blood clots.
May-Thurner Syndrome treatment options include:
Certain risk factors increase the likelihood that you could develop May-Thurner Syndrome. These include:
For good health and peace of mind, schedule a consultation with a MVS vascular specialist to discuss May-Thurner Syndrome. At Maryland Vascular Specialists, we can help you get to the bottom of your leg pain and see what’s causing it.
