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What is DVT, the condition that sidelined Victor Wembanyama?

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Published  February 20, 2025 4:30pm CST
Health
FOX TV Digital Team

Artist's depiction of deep vein thrombosis in a blood vessel. (libre de droit / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

The Brief

    • San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis.
    • DVT can lead to serious complications such as a pulmonary embolism. 
    • Symptoms of DVT can include leg swelling, leg pain and skin discoloration.

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is expected to miss the rest of the NBA season after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder.

Wembanyama is beginning treatment immediately. 

Wembanyama’s condition

The backstory:

The 7-foot-3 center from France was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis this week after he returned from the All-Star Game.

Wembanyama’s diagnosis comes about 3 1/2 months after Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke and was forced to take a leave from the sideline, with assistant coach Mitch Johnson serving as acting coach ever since. 

FILE - Victor Wembanyama arrives prior to the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

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What is deep vein thrombosis?

Dig deeper:

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

It is often found in leg veins but can also travel to other body parts.

"The clots can then travel through the bloodstream and get stuck in the lungs, blocking blood flow (pulmonary embolism). When DVT and pulmonary embolism occur together, it's called venous thromboembolism (VTE)," the Mayo Clinic website says. 

Symptoms of DVT

A person who has DVT can experience leg pain or swelling, but in some cases there are no noticeable symptoms. 

The most common indicators of DVT in addition to the ones mentioned above include the following: 

  • Leg cramping or soreness, often starting in the calf
  • Change in skin color on the leg such as red or purple depending on one’s skin color
  • A feeling of warmth on the impacted leg

Complications caused by DVT

Life-threatening complications can occur if one develops DVT. 

  • Some of these include:
  • Pulmonary embolism: This occurs when a blood clot breaks free and gets stuck in a blood vessel in a lung
  • Postphlebitic syndrome: Damage to the veins from the blood clot reduces blood flow in the impacted areas

The Source: Information for this article was gathered from The Mayo Clinic and The Associated Press. This story was reported in Los Angeles. 

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