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I’m Worried About A Weird Pain In My Calf That
Question: I’m worried about a weird pain in my calf that feels like a mild cramp. It’s been on-and-off for several months, but more frequent this week. I also have a blue vein that runs horizontally at the site of the pain.
Brief Answer:
Possibly superficial thrombophlebitis or deep vein thrombosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor.
The symptoms you describe, especially with noting the blue vein, are suspicious for superficial thrombophlebitis, or possibly a more deep vein thrombosis, which can often accompany a superficial phlebitis (which means inflammation of the vein). For this reason, I would recommend getting a doppler ultrasound of the veins in your leg to make sure there wasn't a clot there, as a clot in the leg can dangerous if it breaks off and goes to your lungs. If you do have a blood clot in one of the deep veins, you will need blood thinners to treat it. If you only have inflammation in the superficial veins, this can be treated just with elevation of the leg, warm or cool compresses, anti-inflammatory medication like Ibuprofen, and possibly compression therapy. But the most important thing at this point would be to make sure you don't have a deeper blood clot.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about any of that and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Possibly superficial thrombophlebitis or deep vein thrombosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor.
The symptoms you describe, especially with noting the blue vein, are suspicious for superficial thrombophlebitis, or possibly a more deep vein thrombosis, which can often accompany a superficial phlebitis (which means inflammation of the vein). For this reason, I would recommend getting a doppler ultrasound of the veins in your leg to make sure there wasn't a clot there, as a clot in the leg can dangerous if it breaks off and goes to your lungs. If you do have a blood clot in one of the deep veins, you will need blood thinners to treat it. If you only have inflammation in the superficial veins, this can be treated just with elevation of the leg, warm or cool compresses, anti-inflammatory medication like Ibuprofen, and possibly compression therapy. But the most important thing at this point would be to make sure you don't have a deeper blood clot.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about any of that and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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