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What Causes Persistent Pain And Stiffness In The Legs?

Posted on Sat, 11 Feb 2017

Question: For several months now I've had pain in both legs in the calf area (on the outer side of the calf - pretty much in the same spot in both legs). The pain is accompanied by stiffness in my lower legs and gets worse when sitting and is especially noticeable in the morning when I first wake up. Flexing my ankles and stretching my calves provides instant relief. The pain subsides when I walk or move around. I'm 58 yrs. 5'3", 115 lbs. I started wearing light compression socks about a month ago, which helps a little. What could this be?

Answered by Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get colour doppler lower limbs.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have read your query.

Symptoms you are explaining should not be ignored.

There may be deep vein thrombosis developing.

If I am your treating doctor, I would like to advise you colour doppler both lower limbs to see the blood flow.

If colour doppler is normal then there is no tension.

Till then do as you are doing I.e compression and elevation.

Avoid any type of exercise.

Take tab. aceclofenac100mg+thiocolchicoside4mg twice a day.

I hope it helps.

Thanks,

Dr.CHANDER XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (41 hours later)

Dr. XXXXXXX
I am seeing my General Practitioner MD on Monday. Until then, what can I take that does not require a prescription - Advil? Should I take aspirin to thin the blood in case it's a DVT?
Is a colour doppler the same thing as a cat scan? Or is it more like an ultrasound?
I also have an appointment with a cartiologist in a couple of weeks. What type of doctor is best suited to treat circulation or DVT issues?
Should I avoid walking my dog?
Thank you. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Advil you can take.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the response.

You can take advil but, asprin should not be taken without the consideration of doctor especially in case like you.

Colour doppler is not like ct scan, its like ultrasound of vessels of lower limb, it will tell about blood flow in vessels

For DVT, you can visit General physicianor plastic surgeon, he will advise you further management.

You shouldn't go for morning walk with dog.

I hope you have got your answer.

Thanks,

Dr.CHANDER XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (2 days later)

Hello,
I went to see my GP yesterday about the achiness in my lower legs. She said since there's no swelling or redness, it's not circulation related. She also said it couldn't be a blood clot since the symptoms are in both legs, and since I feel the most pain when resting (sitting and when I first wake up in the morning). She said pain from a DVT gets worse with activity. Is that true?

She squeezed the calves in both my legs and it was very painful. There's a lot of tenderness in the calves of both legs. She said a color Doppler isn't needed and that I should see an orthopedic for possible physical therapy. By the way, my BP was 100 / 60 yesterday when measured. Is that too low? What's your opinion about what my GP told me.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not to ignore all this and visit orthopedic doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your response,

Although your GP had done your physical examination and mentioned that it's not circulation related, but one point which you tell me that "She squeezed the calves in both my legs and it was very painful" is not to be ignored.

Sometimes DVT starting in legs cannot be diagnosed initially because it comes with pain only and without swelling and redness.

You must visit orthopedic surgeon, as he may do your physical examination, you can discuss all this with him also discus about DVT and Color Doppler.

Your BP was 100 / 60 which is also on lower side, it must be discussed also.

At-last I want to advise that you must not ignore all this and visit orthopedic doctor, only he may do your physical examination in more detail and his knowledge is also par more than GP for calf pain etc.

By doing physical examination, he will tell you if color doppler is required or not, because he is actually examining you in-front.

Waiting for your response.

Dr.CHANDER XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (4 hours later)

Hi,
Actually, I've noticed tenderness in my calves going back at least 5 years. I have an appointment with a Cardiologist next week and might be able to move the appointment up to this week, if you think sooner is better on this. I made the appointment because a few weeks ago I was walking my dog and got a severe pain and tightness across my chest that lasted about 15 minutes. I didn't experience prolonged shortness of breath and I was able to get home ok. The pain didn't come back again. Is it better for me to see the Cardiologist about this or should I see the Orthopedic if I can get an appointment sooner?
Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cardiologist opinion is priority.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the response.

Myfriend, you haven't tell me previously that you have experience chest pain and tightness.

As your BP is also lower range, I advise you to have cardiologist visit first then orthopedic visit as every cardiac related problem should be treated first.

I also advise my patients to have cardiac opinion first if they have any cardiac rekated problem, then only I do their physical examination and advise them med for their orthopedic problem.

I hope you have got your answer, even now if you have any query in your mind, you can ask me, I am here to clear it.

Thanks,

Dr.CHANDER XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng