San Antonio Spurs fans got a major disappointment recently when one of their star players became unexpectedly sidelined for the season with a serious injury following the NBA All-Star break.

Victor Wembanyama was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder in late February.

DVT is a deep venous disorder characterized by the formation of a blood clot, typically in the legs. If the blood clot is not treated, it can break off and travel to the lungs causing what is known as a pulmonary embolism, blocking essential blood flow and sometimes proving fatal.

At VeinSolutions, our team of vein specialists are board-certified vascular surgeons who treat DVT frequently.

Vascular surgeon Dr. Ryan Turley, one of our vein experts, was asked recently about Victor’s condition for a story on KVUE-TV.

“About 100,000 cases of DVT are diagnosed in America each year, and these can embolize into the lungs,” said Dr. Turley. “Only about four to ten percent occur in the upper arm,” (like Victor’s) he explained.

What causes DVT?

Common causes of DVT include:

• A sedentary lifestyle
• Prolonged inactivity (such as sitting on a plane or in a car for too long)
• A traumatic injury, typically in the extremity where it occurs
• Certain genetic conditions or a family history of blood clots

“Those with upper arm DVT are usually younger and also have what’s called thoracic outlet syndrome which causes compression in the arm resulting in difficult blood flow, or they often have an anatomic variant, a structure that contributes to blood clots forming.”

Dr. Turley said that athletes can be prone to this, including pitchers and baseball players who use repetitive motions in their arms.

How is DVT prevented and treated?

Dr. Turley shared that the following can help blood clots from forming:

• Staying hydrated to encourage healthy blood supply and circulation
• Stretching before and after exercise/ physical activity
• Taking quick walks to break up long periods of sitting, like on planes and car rides

He also encourages you to know your family’s history for DVT or any other genetic disorder that causes clotting and to have regular conversations with your physician to make sure you have a proactive plan if they occur.

DVT and blood clots can often be hard to recognize as the symptoms are typically silent, but as March is Blood Clot Awareness Month, here are some subtle signs to look for:

• Shortness of breath or chest pain
• Difficulty speaking
• Sudden redness, heat or swelling along a vein

It’s important to take swift action if you suspect DVT and get medical attention right away. Treatment for DVT and blood clots includes prescription blood thinners to dissolve the clot or surgery to carefully remove in extreme cases.

Dr. Turley said Spurs fans can expect Victor to make a full recovery and eventually return to the court.

Contact VeinSolutions for Your Consultation Today

Our board-certified vascular surgeons and vein specialists are skilled in both cosmetic and therapeutic treatments for varicose veins while dedicated to enhancing your overall circulatory health.

To schedule an appointment with a vein specialist in Austin, please contact us here or call 512.452.VEIN (8346), or 512.501.4287 for our clinic in Georgetown, and 512.651.8420 for Kyle.

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