After Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)...

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of one or more blood clots in the deep venous system, and it usually occurs in the legs. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, numbness, itching, tingling or cramping. Or there may be NO symptoms at all.

A further complication of DVT is a Pulmonary Embolism (PE): When the clot, or a piece of the clot breaks free and travels towards the lungs, and gets loged in the pulmonary artery. Over 2 million people per year experience DVT in the United States, and over 100,000 die as a result of its complications, yet it's highly preventable.

"Studies have shown that patients who have DVT and wear prescription compression [stockings] significantly reduce the pain and swelling in their legs and prevent vein valve damage and blood [stoppage] that can accompany DVT".  - Suman Rathbun, MD, associate professor of medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center in Oklahoma City