Superficial venous thrombosis of the upper limb presenting to a chiropractic clinic: a case report

To present the clinical case of a patient with an upper extremity superficial venous thrombosis (SVT), and to highlight the importance for clinicians working in musculoskeletal care settings, to considered non-musculoskeletal causes for their patients' presentations.

A 31-year-old male presented to an academic chiropractic clinic with progressive left sided tension over the medial arm, extending to the anterior aspect of his proximal forearm.

The patient was initially diagnosed with possible biceps/brachialis muscular strain and peripheral entrapment of the median nerve. A course of treatment involving soft tissue therapy was initiated. Unfortunately, the patient's symptoms worsened, and on further evaluation, near full occlusion and phlebitis of the left cephalic vein was discovered. Symptoms dissipated over the next few days with conservative medicinal efforts.

Although not often viewed as a serious condition, or factored in the differential diagnoses of musculoskeletal practitioners, to not consider SVT as a cause of a patient's symptoms may lead to a protracted clinical course and increased discomfort for the patient, and in rare cases, more serious consequences.