May-Thurner syndrome affects your left leg, often causing leg swelling. The swelling usually develops gradually, making it a subtle sign initially, but it’s not the only sign of this condition.
May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is a vein problem requiring treatment from a specialist like Kishore K. Arcot, MD, FACC, and our Memphis Vein Center team. We offer in-office diagnostics and advanced treatments to restore blood flow and ease your symptoms.
Learning the subtle signs and progressive symptoms help you know when to schedule an appointment, get treatment, and prevent complications.
MTS develops when the iliac vein in your left leg is pinched (compressed). As the femoral veins in each thigh leave your legs, they become the iliac veins. The iliac veins connect with the vena cava in your lower back.
Between the femoral vein and the vena cava, the left iliac vein crosses paths with the iliac artery. The vein becomes pinched if the artery pushes it against the nearby vertebra.
The compressed vein restricts blood flow, causing blood to back up in the leg vein. This condition is May-Thurner syndrome.
Risk factors: Women have double the risk compared with the risk to men. Women are also more likely to develop MTS if they recently had a baby or have more than one child.
MTS progresses through stages, with each causing more noticeable and severe symptoms.
Subtle signs in the early stage include:
These signs are not specific to MTS. Even though MTS only affects the left leg, which could be a clue to its presence, other conditions can cause similar signs in one leg.
As more blood accumulates in your leg veins, you’ll have similar but more severe symptoms, and new problems may appear.
You may experience any of the following:
You could have sudden left leg pain and swelling. Skin that feels warm and tender could also appear quickly.
The other symptoms in this list usually develop gradually and are signs of complications associated with MTS.
Two conditions associated with MTS are responsible for most signs and symptoms. These conditions may exist before MTS and worsen because of its effect on blood flow. Or MTS may cause them.
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs when a condition limits blood flow through the vein, causing blood to reflux down the leg. MTS is one cause, but CVI most often develops due to weak vein valves.
The leg veins become engorged as the blood builds up, and varicose veins appear. The accumulating blood also raises pressure in the leg, forcing fluids out of the veins and into the surrounding tissues.
These fluids (and red blood cells in the fluids) are responsible for fluid buildup (edema), skin discoloration and thickening, rashes, and ulcers.
When blood flow in the left leg slows, the blood thickens and a clot can develop. You have DVT when the clot occurs in a vein in the center of the leg.
DVT may cause leg swelling, pain, and warm, red, tender skin. Seek immediate treatment if you have signs of DVT.
If the clot leaves your leg, it can travel to your lungs (pulmonary embolism), block blood flow, and cause cardiac arrest. Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
We offer advanced treatments to restore healthy leg circulation and relieve your symptoms. Schedule an appointment online or call us at our Memphis, Tennessee, center today.
