DVT usually occurs in veins of the legs, but it can develop in your arms, too. When it happens in the arms, it’s called DVT of the upper extremities
Clinical features include: swelling, usually in one arm cramping-type pain tenderness to the touch reddish or bluish tone to the skin warm to the touch
Diagnosis: An ultrasound CT scan. This imaging test may be used to rule out blood clots in parts of your body other than your arm. It uses computers and X-rays to take cross-sectional images of your body. MRI scan. An MRI uses radio waves and magnets to take images of your body. This test can be used to see your veins. Contrast venography. For this procedure, a contrast dye is injected, and then X-rays are used to see your veins.
Treatment: Limb elevation. This will help reduce swelling and ease pain. Graduated compression arm sleeve. This is like a tight sock for your arm. It increases blood flow from the hand back toward the heart. Blood-thinning medications. Although these medications don’t actually “thin” the blood, they do slow the formation of new clots and keep existing clots from getting bigger.
