by Liz Bonis, WKRC | Click here to see the full story.
San Antonio Spurs’ star player, Victor Wembanyama, will miss the remainder of the NBA season due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder. This serious medical condition, involving a blood clot in a deep vein, has raised concerns about its causes and implications for athletes.
Dr. Michael Greiwe, a shoulder specialist at OrthoCincy, explains that DVT, while not typically associated with basketball, can occur in athletes due to several factors:
- Venous Stasis: Blood pooling and slow circulation can lead to clotting.
- Hypercoagulable States: Some individuals are more prone to clotting due to underlying medical conditions or genetic factors.
- Trauma to the Vein: Direct injury to a vein can trigger clot formation.
Wembanyama’s case, Dr. Greiwe suggests that the intense physical demands of basketball, such as repetitive dunking or forceful arm movements, could have caused vein trauma or stretching, contributing to the DVT.
Treatment and Awareness:
DVT is treatable with medications to dissolve the clot or procedures to remove it. However, early detection is crucial. Dr. Greiwe emphasizes the importance of athletes being aware of upper extremity blood clots.
Symptoms include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Skin changes
- Tenderness
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention, regardless of their athletic involvement.
This situation underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing potential health risks in athletes, even those seemingly unrelated to their sport.
