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Are Repeated Ultrasounds For DVT In Knee Normal?
Question: I have a DVT in the gastrocnemius vein. The physcian decided not to treat it because the DVT is below the knee and in a smaller vein. Instead he ordered a repeat ultrasound in 10 days. Is this normal? I thought DVT always needs treatment because of the potential dangers. I am confused.
Brief Answer:
Depends upon the patency of the Deep veins
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male/42 - have DVT in Gastrocnemius vein - Physician decided not to treat as this is below knee and is in a smaller vein - asked repeat ultrasound after 10 days -
The possible explanation is that there may be a thrombosis of the connecting veins and not of the deep vein of the calf/leg which might have been patent and/or there are no symptoms related to the swelling, redness or so.
I would advice in such a situation the following as this is a potential dangerous disease:
- Take a second opinion of a General Surgeon or preferably a vascular Surgeon for clinical evaluation and to have repeat color doppler to correlate. If there is DVT (by long form this means Deep Vein Thrombosis), you will be started on appropriate medicines.
I hope this answers your query with a proper solution, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
You may please post the report of the ultrasonography and color doppler done recently and tell me the symptoms that you have.
Depends upon the patency of the Deep veins
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male/42 - have DVT in Gastrocnemius vein - Physician decided not to treat as this is below knee and is in a smaller vein - asked repeat ultrasound after 10 days -
The possible explanation is that there may be a thrombosis of the connecting veins and not of the deep vein of the calf/leg which might have been patent and/or there are no symptoms related to the swelling, redness or so.
I would advice in such a situation the following as this is a potential dangerous disease:
- Take a second opinion of a General Surgeon or preferably a vascular Surgeon for clinical evaluation and to have repeat color doppler to correlate. If there is DVT (by long form this means Deep Vein Thrombosis), you will be started on appropriate medicines.
I hope this answers your query with a proper solution, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
You may please post the report of the ultrasonography and color doppler done recently and tell me the symptoms that you have.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
i have attached the medical report. pain in left calf started 8 days ago. pain was severe. unable to touch calf or walk. pain got worse for 5 days. last few days pain is starting to decrease. walking and standing is now still painful but not as bad as before. pain has gone down 50%. im just confused why I was not treated. it seems like its a serious issue.
Brief Answer:
Deep and superficial veins were compressible and no clot was found.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback and the reports.
Read both. The history of pain in calf days ago, severe, unable to touch calf or walk , now started decreasing to 50%.
Both the reports you have attached categorically say it is a localized thrombosis of the said vein and all other deep venous segments visualized show normal compressibility and the same even with superficial veins.
Anti-coagulants have their own side effects like increased incidence of bleeding and so on, hence given only when indicated.
In your case the deep as well as superficial segments were normal hence anti-coagulant were not needed and would have been dangerous to start with.
You reduced symptoms are good.
Repeat Ultrasonography with color doppler will give the further plan of action.
I hope this explains your query.
Deep and superficial veins were compressible and no clot was found.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback and the reports.
Read both. The history of pain in calf days ago, severe, unable to touch calf or walk , now started decreasing to 50%.
Both the reports you have attached categorically say it is a localized thrombosis of the said vein and all other deep venous segments visualized show normal compressibility and the same even with superficial veins.
Anti-coagulants have their own side effects like increased incidence of bleeding and so on, hence given only when indicated.
In your case the deep as well as superficial segments were normal hence anti-coagulant were not needed and would have been dangerous to start with.
You reduced symptoms are good.
Repeat Ultrasonography with color doppler will give the further plan of action.
I hope this explains your query.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
my last questions are how long will it take to heal? will i make a 100% recovery? will this likely happen again in the future?
Brief Answer:
as discussed.
Detailed Answer:
It take one to three weeks for healing.
Yes, recovery can be full.
This may repeat if you allow dehydration. Never allow dehydration to happen.
as discussed.
Detailed Answer:
It take one to three weeks for healing.
Yes, recovery can be full.
This may repeat if you allow dehydration. Never allow dehydration to happen.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
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