DVT and cycling shorts

[sparrow371]

Hi,

I really hope you will be able to help me with this question as I have just got into cycling and in a short time become addicted!

After a 26 mile cycle ride last week I woke up next morning with a reddened sore right calf and a painful right leg. Due to a family history of DVT and a painful leg during the next 2 days I went to my local A and E dept at the local hospital and they diagnosed my condition as Superficial Thrombophlebitis.

The Consultant suggested keep cycling as this will assist the blood circulation but he stated the Lycra cycling shorts I wear would not be a good idea as they would restrict the blood flow in the leg.

I have 3 sets of bib cycle shorts and find them so very comfortable to wear (B'Twin and Giant).

Have you had any questions sent to you on this topic before as I have researched the Internet and it appears DVT among cyclists is fairly common but not a lot has been mentioned about any connection with cycling shorts.

My main question is would wearing the cycling shorts be detrimental now that I have this condition and if so what would be the best thing to wear bearing in mind the need for padding? Would removing the leg grippers make any difference to blood flow or are there loose fitting padded shorts that can be worn that don't restrict circulation but offer the same level of comfort.

 

[ColinJ]

I became 3 or 4 stone overweight but carried on wearing the same size lycra shorts and tights, which had therefore became too tight for me. The warning signs were there on several rides when I developed severe leg pains which I now suspect might have been due to clot formation.

You can see the problem in this photo of me on a ride with phil_hg_uk. I am the one on the right.

Phil's tights look much more comfortable to me.

I eventually went on to suffer a severe DVT last year which caused a pulmonary embolism which almost killed me. This year, the problem has come back and it looks as though I will be on Warfarin for life. You are wise to take the problem seriously!

I think that leg grippers could well be an issue if they are too tight, as mine were. (The tights didn't have grippers, but they were so tight that they impeded circulation in each entire leg.) I don't think cutting grippers out is the answer, though you could try doing that and see how you get on. I think if you get the sizing right so the grippers are not excessively tight, then that should be okay. If they leave deep imprints on your legs, then that is probably too tight.

You can get baggy cycling shorts with pads. That's what I am wearing these days while I get my weight down, but I may try out my lycra kit again when it fits properly. My old baggies do not have a liner, and they are very comfortable - see photograph below ...

I bought some new Endura Humvees, which are highly rated by many cyclists, but they have liners with grippers so they are like wearing lycra shorts under the baggies! I am keeping them until the liners feel more comortable.

So, I would suggest either wearing perfectly fitting lycra without overtight grippers, or baggies without overtight liners.

Good luck, and be vigilant - the damn clots can come back!

 

[sparrow371]

Hi Colin, Thank you for such an informative reply. This is all very new and recent as it all happened within the last week or so. I am off work until next Wednesday but still on antibiotics. Perhaps towards the end of the week I ill get on my bike again and do a short ride.
My bib short grippers do not leave a mark on my leg and don't appear to be overly tight so still unsure if I should give them a go. I am Not to keen to get the scissors to them at the moment and take the grippers off as I can easily get my finger under them.
I had not even thought about the shorts until the consultant at the hospital suggested they may well interrupt the blood circulation in my leg.
I think the only way forward is to get on the bike again and see how it goes....

 

[ColinJ]

I'm pretty sure that a couple of long journeys by train/coach/car to Wales and back were what finally got me. I was wearing trousers that were way too tight and they pretty much cut off the blood supply in my legs. There were seams where the legs were attached to the top part of the garment and the DVT formed on the left leg where the seam had been digging in.

Exercise does help to prevent DVTs and to get over them, but dehydration can be a significant factor in DVT formation so avoid that by drinking plenty of water..

Good luck ...I wouldn't wish what happened to me on my worst enemy, and I am one of the lucky ones who survived!

 

[sparrow371]

Hi Colin,
That's very interesting about the DVT and long journeys. 3 weeks ago I had a long journey. We had a cycling holiday in the Loire Valley. It took 5 hours to get back to Calais. I only stopped once for about 30 mins. We then took the Channel Tunnel and I had a 3 1/2 hour trip back in this country without any stops so my right leg was in the same position for a very very long time. I did not think about having regular stops on the journey but I now think this may have had added to the problem I now have.
This has really opened my eyes and will be so careful in the future.....Nick

 

[shyfire]

sparrow371, maybe the short grippers are the issue specifically with the consultant. Would be interested in what he thinks of compression sports clothing for sport (skins/2xu etc) since they are supposed to improve the blood flow. I used compressions socks and shorts for running a few years ago after a thrombotic episode. This was with doctors approval since it was impossible running with the prescribed compression socks.

 

[sparrow371]

Hi Shyfire, thanks for the above. I am really surprised that this subject is not more prominently discussed.
Unfortunately I won't be seeing the consultant again unless I have a downward turn with the leg. It did make sense what he said about the Lycra shorts constricting the blood flow to the whole leg.
I asked him if it would be ok to carry on cycling in the future and he said it would but what I was wearing (the shorts) might well be the problem.
It would be interesting if a consultant who was interested in cycling would read this thread to get his views!

 

[slowfen]

The issue with cycling shorts would be the gripper as this is a narrow band which would cause constriction in a small area.For cycle shorts this would not affect the blood flow in the arteries or deep veins, but would slow/stop blood flow in the superficial veins.
Compression garments such as hosiery/sports wear etc work by compressing generally, this aids the flow of blood in the veins, especially the deep veins, and are used to help prevent DVT ( Often called TED stockings in hospital)

The issue of DVT and long journeys is well established (and is not a modern problem, it was certainly known about in WW2 for the bomber crews) and although normally associated with planes and long haul flights, any form of long travel, in one position will cause problems ( think car, coach etc). Hence the use of flight socks, (should be called travel socks). On any extended journey, it is worth making sure you are well hydrated, have breaks to get up and walk, also to keep moving your feet and legs so that you can feel the foot and calf muscles tense and relax ( you can find cushions which help do this)

I am not a consultant, but this area does over lap with my area of work

 

[sparrow371]

Hi,

Your reply is most useful and very comprehensive. I am still off work at the moment as it is fairly recent. I am hoping to get on my bike at the weekend and just do a few miles to see how it goes.

I was diagnosed with superficial thrombophlebitis which is in the surface veins in my right leg which is a lot better than having it in the deep vein.

Reading your reply I think the gripper needs to come off as this could well be the problem so I can still wear the cycling bibshorts.

The journey from the Loire valley is probably the cause of my problems. I just wished I was a bit more savvy about taking breaks and hydrating.

Thanks again, Nick

 

[screenman]

You would think if this was a problem that the pro's would get it in long tours etc. all the time. Many a medic does not like cyclist, so maybe a second opinion.

 

[sparrow371]

Hi,
I can see where you are coming from but I think the pro's are made aware of this condition by their fitness guru's when they travel on their tour bus when travelling.
I am certain mine is a result of travelling in the car in France for 5 hours only having one short stop and then having another 3 1/2 hours in this country without a stop.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing!

 

[ColinJ]

You would think if this was a problem that the pro's would get it in long tours etc. all the time.

Hi,
I can see where you are coming from but I think the pro's are made aware of this condition by their fitness guru's when they travel on their tour bus when travelling.

It can happen to pro athletes, but presumably they usually do get a lot of good advice and medical supervision to keep them safe. This young pro rider wasn't quite so lucky though ...

 

[sparrow371]

Hi Colin,

Interesting piece about the young pro rider. I just wished I knew more about the subject prior to my journey. I only thought it occurred on long haul aircraft. I am vigilant and move about on the aircraft when I go diving in Egypt to stop this.

 

[screenman]

Please accept my apologies, I thought the suggestion was that the shorts may have caused the condition.

 

[sparrow371]

No problem. It wasn't the shorts that caused the condition but they may have aggravated it. It was interesting what slowfen said in his reply. Debate now is when to wear them again?