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Suggest Treatment For Pain In The Calf
Question: Six weeks ago I noticed pain in calf, started as charley horse. Two weeks later a large bruise
appeared in calf. Pain also goes to underneath the knee and pain in calf. 24/7 I went to Dr. he
said he didnt know but sent for, ultrasound which was negative for blood clot etc. I am concerned because bruise is there and doesnt look different then it did before and pain still in calf. Doesnt seem normal to me.
appeared in calf. Pain also goes to underneath the knee and pain in calf. 24/7 I went to Dr. he
said he didnt know but sent for, ultrasound which was negative for blood clot etc. I am concerned because bruise is there and doesnt look different then it did before and pain still in calf. Doesnt seem normal to me.
Brief Answer:
Pls do D dimer test else?clot in superficial veins
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Pain in the calf region being a very important symptom of DVT. However as mentioned by you, there can be little symptoms is some patients and in early stages Doppler might be negative.
Therefore if you have risks for DVT such as -
1. Inherited blood-clotting disorder
2. Prolonged bed rest like hospitalisation
3. Injury to a limb
4. Pregnancy
5. Consumption of oral contraceptives or hormone pills
6. Being overweight or obese
7. Smoking
8. Cancer
9. Heart failure conditions
10. Inflammatory bowel disease
It would be better to proceed with D dimer assay. The D dimer test measures small molecules which might be circulating in the blood as a result of clot disintegration. If the D dimer test is negative then it is almost 95 to 97 % confirmed that you do no have a DVT.
Every patient with positive D dimer will not have a DVT.
Another possibility to be considered is superficial thrombophlebitis in which the pain is limited to the surface due to a thrombus developing in a vein located near the surface of the skin. This is not a serious condition and can be treated by applying ointments containing heparin, an anticoagulant.
I suggest a detailed discussion with your doctor if the bruise doesnt improve over the next few days.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Pls do D dimer test else?clot in superficial veins
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Pain in the calf region being a very important symptom of DVT. However as mentioned by you, there can be little symptoms is some patients and in early stages Doppler might be negative.
Therefore if you have risks for DVT such as -
1. Inherited blood-clotting disorder
2. Prolonged bed rest like hospitalisation
3. Injury to a limb
4. Pregnancy
5. Consumption of oral contraceptives or hormone pills
6. Being overweight or obese
7. Smoking
8. Cancer
9. Heart failure conditions
10. Inflammatory bowel disease
It would be better to proceed with D dimer assay. The D dimer test measures small molecules which might be circulating in the blood as a result of clot disintegration. If the D dimer test is negative then it is almost 95 to 97 % confirmed that you do no have a DVT.
Every patient with positive D dimer will not have a DVT.
Another possibility to be considered is superficial thrombophlebitis in which the pain is limited to the surface due to a thrombus developing in a vein located near the surface of the skin. This is not a serious condition and can be treated by applying ointments containing heparin, an anticoagulant.
I suggest a detailed discussion with your doctor if the bruise doesnt improve over the next few days.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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