Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) affects over half a million people in the country every year, but it continues to be one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in modern medicine. Symptoms of most types of Deep Vein Thrombosis are difficult to isolate from those observed among common medical conditions. DVT is mainly caused due to a clot that blocks the blood flow in major arteries and veins.

Here are some noticeable signs and symptoms of DVT that mainly develop in the knees, legs, and arms.

1. Deep Vein Thrombosis in the knees
Popliteal DVT is caused due to a specific blood clot that develops in one of the major blood vessels at the back of the knee. This thrombosis affects blood circulation and damages the surrounding tissue if left unchecked for prolonged periods. The telltale symptoms usually include swelling, tenderness, and experiencing pain on the surface of the knee. The discomforts can also quickly spread in the nearby areas of the clot. One may also experience a warm sensation in and around the clot. Changes in the legs, where one is slightly bigger than the other, are also a major cause for concern. Immediate medical attention is necessary before the clot progresses to other organs. There are a number of risk factors, including frequent smoking, obesity, birth control pills, and side effects of hormone replacement therapy that can trigger a popliteal DVT.

2. Deep Vein Thrombosis in the legs
Blood clots can develop anywhere on the legs and progress to nearby organs if left unchecked. In fact, in many cases, one may not notice the clot till the swelling, pain, and tenderness becomes obvious. Physical changes coupled with leg muscle cramps that are frequent also indicate that the clot is moving along the vein. The cramps are more evident in the calf region, and pain is usually unbearable if one tries to bend their feet. As the clot progresses, one might also notice a slightly darker discoloration of the surrounding skin as the blood is backed up in the veins. Strenuous activity, trauma to the surrounding muscles, and side effects of medical procedures can trigger a DVT in the legs. Blood clotting disorders and even certain unexplained physical abnormalities increase the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis.

3. Deep Vein Thrombosis in the arms
A clot that develops in the upper arm region of the body can also quickly transform into a pulmonary embolism if the clot is severe. Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis mostly develops around the arms and neck as the blood flow around major arteries connecting these extremities gets blocked. Some of the telltale symptoms of deep vein thrombosis in the arm include shoulder pain, neck pain, persistent swelling in the arms, and pain in the forenames. People also experience weakness in the affected arm and might notice a pale bluish discoloration as the blood and oxygen supply gets cut off due to the clot.