Upper-extremity thrombosis in a patient after biceps tenodesis

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the upper extremity is uncommon compared with DVT of the lower extremity. Exertional DVT has been described in some athletes, especially in the dominant arm of baseball players. It is important for health care professionals to recognize the signs and symptoms of upper-extremity DVT, which can occur after exertion or after surgery of the upper extremity. Superficial venous thrombosis is also very uncommon in the upper extremity. This article describes a case of superficial venous thrombosis that mimicked DVT in the surgical (right) arm of a recreational baseball player after suprapectoral biceps tenodesis for a painful superior labrum anterior-posterior lesion. Although the superficial venous system of the upper arm has frequent connections to the deeper basilar system, it is uncommon for superficial venous thrombosis to occur concurrently with DVT. It is important for clinicians to understand the distinction between superficial venous thrombosis and DVT in the upper extremity because the physical findings, treatment, and prognosis for these 2 entities differ in the following ways: (1) superficial venous thrombosis may be accompanied by a cord, but DVT is associated with more generalized swelling; (2) superficial venous thrombosis requires symptomatic treatment only, whereas DVT requires anticoagulation; and (3) superficial venous thrombosis typically resolves with few sequelae, whereas upper-extremity DVT increases the risk of future DVT.