Complex vascular and nerve condition
May-Thurner
Syndrome
Deeper Understanding.
Premium vascular assessment and personalised care.
May-Thurner syndrome occurs when the right common iliac artery compresses the left common iliac vein, reducing blood flow return of the left leg. Dedicated clinical and ultrasound assessment can help confirm the diagnosis and guide appropriate treatment.
EXPERIENCED CLINICAL CARE | ADVANCED IMAGING | PERSONALISED TREATMENT
Comprehensive assessment
Detailed history, examination and vascular ultrasound
Evidence based management
tailored to your specific findingsand goals.
vascular care
experienced team in complex vacular management
personalised treatment plan
conservative and interventional options when appropriate
about may-thurner syndrome
understanding
May-thurner Syndrome
May-thurner syndrome, also known as iliac vein. compression syndrome, occurs when the right common iliac artery compresses the left common iliac vein against the spine.
This can reduce blood flow from the left leg, leading to symptoms such as leg swelling, pain, heaviness and an increased risk of DVT. May-Thurner syndrome is recognised cause of unexplained left sided leg symptoms
Venous compression
The right common iliac artery compresses the left common iliac vein, reducing blood flow from the left leg back to the heart.
increased DVT risk
The narrowed vein can predispose to blood clot formation, particularly iliofemoral DVT (clot in the pelvic and upper thigh)
Chronic symptoms
May lead to ongoing leg swelling pain, heaviness, visible veins or skin changes if not diagnosed and managed appropriately.
Symptoms of May-Thurner Syndrome
Symptoms can vary depending on whether the nerve, vein or artery is affected. Common symptoms include:
Swollen ankles
Heavy, tired legs
Unexplained lower leg swelling
Recurrence after prior vein treatment
Concern about skin changes
Symptoms after long days or travel
our approach
a detailed and individualised assessment
We take a comprehensive approach, combining your history and symptoms with a detailed clinical examination and targeted vascular ultrasound. In selected cases, further imaging such as CT or MR venography may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis and assess the degree of compression.
The condition in detail
How may-thurner syndrome develops
Anatomical compression: The right common iliac artery crosses over and compresses the left common iliac vein against the lumbar spine.
Repeated arterial pulsation: The artery’s continuous pulsations can irritate and damage the inner lining of the vein.
Vein narrowing: Over time, scar-like tissue or fibrous spurs may develop, further narrowing the vein.
Reduced blood flow: The narrowed vein restricts blood returning from the left leg, potentially causing venous congestion.
Increased risk of blood clots: Sluggish blood flow can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
treatment options
Management tailored to your needs
Treatment depends on the type and severity of your symptoms, We develop a personalised plan based on your diagnosis, lifestyle and goals.
Conservative management
Activity modification
physiotherapy or posture correction
Compression stocking
Anticoagulation
Endovenous stenting
A catheter is inserted into the left iliac vein. When it’s in the correct position, a small mesh tube (stent) is put in place in the vein to keep it open
Surgical referral
For select cases, we work closely with surgeons to organise surgical procedure reducing compression on the left iliac vein by moving the right iliac artery.
