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I Just Found An Area On My Leg That Is
Question: I just found an area on my leg that is swollen, bruised, and painful to the touch. I am having shortness of breath and after rubbing the area, my whole calf started hurting and feeling crampy. I am worried I have a blood clot?
Brief Answer:
It could be blood clot
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor.
Your description of pain in your leg and shortness of breath is indeed concerning for a blood clot in a deep vein that may have possibly gone to your lungs. However, bruising is not typically seen with a blood clot, and points more towards muscle damage causing the pain, so it is not exactly clear. Usually we consider other factors in determining whether a patient likely has a blood clot as well, such as any decreased activity in that leg (such as bed rest for several days), surgery within the past 4 weeks, calf swelling more than the other leg, and any history of cancer. If you had any of these risk factors, I would be more suspicious of a blood clot in your leg.
It will be hard to definitely tell you it's not a blood clot without examining you, so to be safe, especially with the shortness of breath, I would suggest getting evaluated by a doctor to determine if you need testing for a blood clot. It would be better to be careful about this, since occasionally blood clots that go to the lungs can become a serious problem, but if you are started on treatment quickly, that can be avoided.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about that and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
It could be blood clot
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor.
Your description of pain in your leg and shortness of breath is indeed concerning for a blood clot in a deep vein that may have possibly gone to your lungs. However, bruising is not typically seen with a blood clot, and points more towards muscle damage causing the pain, so it is not exactly clear. Usually we consider other factors in determining whether a patient likely has a blood clot as well, such as any decreased activity in that leg (such as bed rest for several days), surgery within the past 4 weeks, calf swelling more than the other leg, and any history of cancer. If you had any of these risk factors, I would be more suspicious of a blood clot in your leg.
It will be hard to definitely tell you it's not a blood clot without examining you, so to be safe, especially with the shortness of breath, I would suggest getting evaluated by a doctor to determine if you need testing for a blood clot. It would be better to be careful about this, since occasionally blood clots that go to the lungs can become a serious problem, but if you are started on treatment quickly, that can be avoided.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about that and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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