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Suggest Treatment For Swelling And Ecchymosis On The Left Foot

Posted on Mon, 13 Jul 2015

Question: husband with sudden onset (1.5 hours) of swelling and ecchymosis on left foot - cannot walk - no injury or trauma at all. 67 years old, good health, stays active, but this started while driving about 1.5 hours ago, and now entire left side of left foot is turning purple and swollen up. We have it elevated with ice now. It hurts only when he tries to flex upward. He has high blood pressure (taking Lisinopril and Metoprotol tartrate), BPH, strong heart (just had every test possible through VA). Again, he was driving for 2 hours, about 1/2 hour in, he said his left foot felt stiff, we got out and walked a little, but he had to limp, got home and he was almost non-weightbearing left leg.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please, get this leg examined in the ER!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about what your husband experienced. The surrounding circumstances of these symptoms, the image and the pain when he flexes the leg raises the suspicion of a possible blood clot. This often happens when blood pulls down to the legs when seated for long. 2 1/2hours is not too much but I will rather want to be safe than sorry. His symptoms could be a clot and taking the gamble to observe will not be the best action at this time.

In all, the worse possibility is a blood clot. However, we cannot exclude this and I will rather want to be aggressive and safe than be sorry at a later date should we miss on a possible clot.

I hope this is guiding enough. I wish your husband well. Feel free to request for more information if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (9 hours later)

Took him to VA ER - spent 8 hours. They checked blood, ok. X-ray-ok. Doppler gave pulses, though a bit weaker on that side. They said they didn't know what it was, though tried to push the trauma idea. We're absolutely certain there was no trauma, not even the slightest. Sent him home with naproxen and trazadone, surgical shoe and crutches, and told us to follow-up with our local VA (which was closed on weekends) that is 20 minutes away.

My husband asked if it could be an insect bite, and they felt maybe, but the doctor still says it's behaving like trauma. We'll wait and followup with his PCP at the VA here early this week. I'll report any new symptoms or worsening of symptoms.

Thank you, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for the updates!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the updates.

I am happy to know there is no clot we should be concerned about at this time. Keep me updated and extend my best wishes of quick recovery to him.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar