Ask a doctor on the topic of Internal medicine

after thrombosis III - microcirculation

May 8, 2016 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ive Dr. Schaaf

Dear Dr. Schaaf,

I have a few questions regarding my understanding of the microcirculation disorder that was mentioned. I wrote to you about this in "after the thrombosis" and "after the thrombosis II".

Could you please explain to me what this microcirculation disorder is in my case, so that I can understand it better? Whenever I try to find information about it, I always come across scary things. What causes it and what does it mean for me?

I am a bit confused by all of this. I always read about it in relation to PTS, which I do not have. But my leg/foot also turns red (foot)/red-blue (leg up to the knee). You explained to me that in my case it is harmless and will go away. It does go away when I move, but it becomes more pronounced when I am standing. Yesterday, I was outside without my compression stocking in sunny weather. What spoiled my joy was that my foot (only the left foot) turned bright red, really intensely red, and it took a while for it to go away. However, I was walking the entire time.

Furthermore, it also turns really red when I wake up in the morning after a long sleep, or when I fall asleep on the sofa and wake up after lying down for a long time. If I just lie down and get up without falling asleep, it is not as intense.

My treating vascular surgeon also mentioned that it takes some time for the leg to adapt to the new situation. What exactly needs to adapt and how does that happen?

I simply need an explanation for this phenomenon so that I can understand it better, cope with it, and not be afraid.

Thank you for your help.

I look forward to your response.

Best regards

Dr. med. Ive Dr. Schaaf

Good morning,

I'm sorry, but nobody can really explain that. It has to do with the small vessels and mini regulatory mechanisms that cannot be examined, calculated, or influenced.
Just like you see that the mini vessel endings react differently than before, but there is no explanation for it other than knowing that it is and that it will resolve itself.
For example: I tore a ligament in my ankle. It was stitched up and stable again after 6 weeks.
The swelling in my lower leg took over half a year to normalize, even though there was NOTHING wrong with the vessels. They just reacted and took forever to "calm down". This also falls into the category of microcirculation disorders, which cannot be examined or understood in any other way.
So basically, it's a reaction of mini vessels that are not damaged themselves and take a longer time to normalize.
This kind of microcirculation disorder is not described anywhere, you won't find any information on it. Everything you find will only worry you, but it doesn't concern you. It would be better if you just leave it.

Wishing you patience and a speedy recovery,

Dr. Schaaf