Question: I was recently diagnosed with a blood clot in my thigh and put on blood thinners, both shots and pills, to dissolve the clot. How long does it usually take for such a clot to dissolve?

Dr. Hibberd’s answer:

The clot in your leg is called a deep venous thrombosis. The dissolution rate of the clot can vary depending upon what you have done to reduce clot re-formation.

Common risk factors for developing a blood clot are: Immobility from casting, fracture, limb injury, recent surgery or confinement to bed, obesity, edema or lymphedema, smoking especially with birth control pill use, blood disorder, internal malignancy, auto-immune or rheumatic disease, constrictive clothing/stocking use, sedentary occupations and prolonged air flights.

The dissolution of the first clot will usually occur within four to eight weeks and is usually complete by three months. If you do not reduce your risk factors, you're more likely to have a recurrence.