milk leg

milk leg
a painful swelling of the leg soon after childbirth, due to thrombosis of the large veins.
[1895-1900]

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▪ medical disorder
also called  Iliofemoral Thrombophlebitis, or Phlegmasia Alba Dolens,  

      inflammation of the femoral vein, the principal vein of the thigh, with formation of a clot that blocks the channel of the vein. The condition may occur shortly after childbirth, or it may result from the use of oral contraceptives. Other predisposing factors are aging, malignancy, and chronic infection. The leg becomes swollen and is pale and painful (hence the name phlegmasia alba dolens—“white, painful inflammation”). If the blockage persists, ulcers may develop. The affected person is kept in bed, with the swollen leg elevated and motionless; anticoagulants are used to prevent further clotting while the body's plasmin (also called fibrinolysin) dissolves the blockage, and antibiotics are used to combat any infection. The leg is bandaged to prevent collection of fluid in the tissues (edema). Severe occlusion may require surgical treatment. If the clot detaches there is danger of pulmonary artery blockage.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Milk leg — Milk Milk (m[i^]lk), n. [AS. meoluc, meoloc, meolc, milc; akin to OFries. meloc, D. melk, G. milch, OHG. miluh, Icel. mj[=o]lk, Sw. mj[ o]lk, Dan. melk, Goth. miluks, G. melken to milk, OHG. melchan, Lith. milszti, L. mulgere, Gr. ame lgein.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • milk-leg — milk leg, or milk leg «MIHLK LEHG», noun. a painful swelling of the leg caused by clots in the veins, usually due to an inflammation after childbirth …   Useful english dictionary

  • milk leg — milk′ leg n. pat a painful swelling of the leg soon after childbirth, due to thrombosis of the large veins • Etymology: 1895–1900 …   From formal English to slang

  • milk leg — n. a painful swelling of the leg, caused by inflammation and clotting in the femoral veins, usually as a result of infection during childbirth …   English World dictionary

  • milk leg — n postpartum thrombophlebitis of a femoral vein called also phlegmasia alba dolens …   Medical dictionary

  • milk leg — noun painful thrombosis of the femoral vein in the leg following childbirth • Syn: ↑white leg, ↑phlegmasia alba dolens • Hypernyms: ↑thrombosis * * * noun 1. : postpartum thrombophlebitis of a femoral vein 2 …   Useful english dictionary

  • milk leg — /ˈmɪlk lɛg/ (say milk leg) noun Obsolete a painful swelling of the leg, due to thrombosis of the large veins, occurring most frequently in connection with parturition. Also, white leg …  

  • milk leg — noun Date: circa 1860 a painful swelling of the leg caused by inflammation and clotting in the veins and affecting some postpartum women …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • milk leg — noun painful swelling of the leg after giving birth, caused by thrombophlebitis in the femoral vein …   English new terms dictionary

  • Milk — (m[i^]lk), n. [AS. meoluc, meoloc, meolc, milc; akin to OFries. meloc, D. melk, G. milch, OHG. miluh, Icel. mj[=o]lk, Sw. mj[ o]lk, Dan. melk, Goth. miluks, G. melken to milk, OHG. melchan, Lith. milszti, L. mulgere, Gr. ame lgein. [root]107. Cf …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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