Suggest Treatment For Swelling Up Of Ankles And Calves After Journey

Posted on Wed, 14 Oct 2015

Question: I just took a two day car ride last weekend, 12 hrs and 13 hrs each day. Although we stopped and stretched every 3 hrs or so both of my calves and ankles swelled up, were red and sore as though I had strained each calf muscle. After a night of rest the redness and swelling had disappeared, pain was minimal. 3 days later I have no symptoms but would like to know if I should get checked out since I have been on coumadin (warfarin) since 1989 for an aortic valve replacement with a mechanical valve. I took INR today and it was 2.8 (within my therapeutic range). Concerned since I'm already on blood thinners and had these symptoms. Any chance of a dvt since the symptoms went away so quickly? I know an ultrasound would be the only way to rule this out 100%, just wondering if it is simply due to the travel.

Answered by Dr. Mukund Savaskar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Don't Worry.Its not DVT but Exertional Compartment Compression syndrome

Detailed Answer:
Brief Reply-Don't Worry.Its not DVT but Exertional Compartment Compression syndrome with MTSS(Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) due to acute driving stress.

Hi,Welcome for your query to HCM.
My Impression-
Based on the facts of your query,In My opinion you seem to suffer from AECCS(Acute Exertional Compartment Compression Syndrome) with MTSS/ or Shin splint ,due to the stressed plantar and dorsiflexion movements during stressful driving for 2 days time.
This is caused from overuse swelling in the gastrocnemius/soleus posterior compartment / and tibialis anterior and posterior in Anterior compartment.
As your INR is normal and as your swelling in calf and on ankle reduced after overnight rest,You don't have any chance of DVT and should not worry for the DVT.
Still if you worry being aortic valve replacement patient,I would suggest you to get the Doppler study of the deep and superficial veins of the calf and leg /ankles on both sides,which would rule out the DVT as feared by you.I would advise you to consult your Cardio-Vascular Surgeon for needful information to him and for his expert advise as Second Opinion from experts.

Hope this reply would help you to resolve the worry and accompanied anxiety with it.

Welcome for any further query in this regard,before I would close this query from My end,as your query has been totally answered by Me.

Will appreciate your writing excellent review feedback comments,to help the needy patient visitors like you,at HCM.

Keep me updated by direct premium query,if need be.
Wishing you fast recovery.

Good Day!!

Dr.Savaskar M.N.
M.S.Genl-CVTS XXXXXXX Surgical Specialist

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar