A patient with deep vein thrombosis presenting to a chiropractic clinic: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this article is to present and discuss a case of deep vein thrombosis in a chiropractic clinic setting.


METHODS
A 33-year-old male patient presented for follow-up chiropractic care for a long-term low back complaint. A working diagnosis of facet joint syndrome was made. Despite improvement of low back symptoms, the patient experienced right-sided groin pain. The patient was referred to the hospital with a provisional diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.


RESULTS
The patient consulted a physician, and within 2 hours of chiropractic consultation, his entire leg had become painful. Doppler ultrasound revealed extensive thrombosis. He was placed on heparin and was hospitalized for 8 days. On discharge, a full-length right leg stocking and moderate exercise were recommended. Consecutive checkups were scheduled with the clot almost resolved at 19 months postdiagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report highlights the importance for the manipulative therapist to be aware of cardiovascular disease mechanisms and associated risk factors, so comanagement via referral to the appropriate specialist can occur.
Fernandez
Matthew
M
Macquarie Injury Management Group, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia.
Pollard
Henry
H
McHardy
Andrew
A
D000328:Adult; D002684:Chiropractic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D026882:Manipulation, Chiropractic / Q000379:methods; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013577:Syndrome; D014195:Travel; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint