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Dr -- 1. I Awoke This Morning With Tightness, Soreness,

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Posted on Fri, 17 Jan 2020
Question: Dr --

1. I awoke this morning with tightness, soreness, discomfort in my left leg

2. the problem is located in the back of my leg - at the joint where the thigh & calf meet - directly on the other side of the knee

3. do you think it could be a blood clot? if so what should I do about it?

4. what symptoms should I be watching for -- to ensure that it is not a blood clot?

Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
it could be

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

unilateral pain, tightness or any kind of discomfort may indicate a blood clot. The area is usually warmer than the surrounding (healthy) tissues. Intense pain is more in favor of a superficial vein clot (less important than with deep vein thrombosis).

On the back side of the knee, other problems may occur as well like Baker's cyst for example.

Signs of a blood clot may include discomfort, swelling, warmth above the involved area and even low-grade fever. Unfortunately, there is no way to diagnose such disorders at home... You should visit the ER for appropriate testing.

I hope I've answered your question. Please let me know if you need further assistance.

Kind Regards,
Dr Panagiotis Zografakis,
Internal Medicine Specialist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (24 hours later)
Dr—

1. I underwent a examination yesterday by a physician’s assistant

2. He told me based on his experience that it does not appear to be a blood clot

3. So I am planning on monitoring the situation for a few days

4. The pain is usually experienced when I flex and extend my leg from a bent position

5. Do you have any more suggestions or recommendations?

thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (2 days later)
Brief Answer:
sciatica is also possible

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

I'm sorry for the delayed answer as I didn't notice your new question on time...

Pain that gets worse when flexing or extending the leg may indicate sciatica. Obviously I can't diagnose such disorders without clinical examination and thrombosis is also likely and cannot be excluded on clinical grounds only. If sciatica is typical then a doctor won't miss the diagnosis. My suggestion is still to visit the ER in order to get a definitive diagnosis. If it's sciatica indeed then it would be easy for the doctor to diagnose it.

Best wishes,
Dr Panagiotis Zografakis
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3819 Questions

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Dr -- 1. I Awoke This Morning With Tightness, Soreness,

Brief Answer: it could be Detailed Answer: Hello, unilateral pain, tightness or any kind of discomfort may indicate a blood clot. The area is usually warmer than the surrounding (healthy) tissues. Intense pain is more in favor of a superficial vein clot (less important than with deep vein thrombosis). On the back side of the knee, other problems may occur as well like Baker's cyst for example. Signs of a blood clot may include discomfort, swelling, warmth above the involved area and even low-grade fever. Unfortunately, there is no way to diagnose such disorders at home... You should visit the ER for appropriate testing. I hope I've answered your question. Please let me know if you need further assistance. Kind Regards, Dr Panagiotis Zografakis, Internal Medicine Specialist