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What Causes Right Leg Pain With Swelling?
Question: Hell Doc. I am experiencing leg pain in my right leg along with some swelling. This has been going on for a week or so. It started in my right foot and calf and has worked it`s way up to my knee now. My leg feels heavy. My knee is swollen, and it is quite difficult to walk on it. I have an appointment tomorrow, but I am worried that this may be a clot, although there is no particular "red" spot. The mere fact that it is progressing bothers me. What do you think? Could this be celulitus?(I cannot spell it) I did not injure my leg. I thank you very much for your consideration.
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Brief Answer:
Cellulitis may be the cause, needs examination
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
After going through your query, the most likely cause seems to be cellulitis that is infection below the skin level. The pain and swelling is much more in cellulitis as compare to venous thrombosis. In the follow up query please tell me -
1. Are you diabetic?
2. Is it warm to touch as compare to the left leg with diffuse redness?
3. You had massage prior to this incidence?
For now, you may keep the limb elevated, Ice fomentation take drugs like Ibuprofen and trypsin/chymotrypsin combination to reduce pain and swelling.
I usually advise blood test (complete blood count and ESR) and colour Doppler (arterial and venous study) to confirm the diagnosis in your age group.
Hope this suffices. I shall be glad to answer further query.
Take care
Dr.chugh, Orthopaedic surgeon
Cellulitis may be the cause, needs examination
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
After going through your query, the most likely cause seems to be cellulitis that is infection below the skin level. The pain and swelling is much more in cellulitis as compare to venous thrombosis. In the follow up query please tell me -
1. Are you diabetic?
2. Is it warm to touch as compare to the left leg with diffuse redness?
3. You had massage prior to this incidence?
For now, you may keep the limb elevated, Ice fomentation take drugs like Ibuprofen and trypsin/chymotrypsin combination to reduce pain and swelling.
I usually advise blood test (complete blood count and ESR) and colour Doppler (arterial and venous study) to confirm the diagnosis in your age group.
Hope this suffices. I shall be glad to answer further query.
Take care
Dr.chugh, Orthopaedic surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr.Chugh,
I am not a diabetic, and I have not had a massage. However the right leg is a little more warm than the left and if I press into it, there appears to be an imprint indicative of water or some type of fluid. Now the back of my knee is very tight to the point that I cannot or do not want to bend myself. Remember, this started off in my foot with swelling and I forgot to mention to you I was traveling from S.C. to FL. in a cramped car and we pulled over to rest in a rest area. The trip was around 600 miles long and we were in a hurry to get back to manage a motel. I am very afraid that this is serious. Please explain both diseases sir. Thank you. Would elastic bandages help?
I am not a diabetic, and I have not had a massage. However the right leg is a little more warm than the left and if I press into it, there appears to be an imprint indicative of water or some type of fluid. Now the back of my knee is very tight to the point that I cannot or do not want to bend myself. Remember, this started off in my foot with swelling and I forgot to mention to you I was traveling from S.C. to FL. in a cramped car and we pulled over to rest in a rest area. The trip was around 600 miles long and we were in a hurry to get back to manage a motel. I am very afraid that this is serious. Please explain both diseases sir. Thank you. Would elastic bandages help?
Brief Answer:
Cellulitis looks to be the cause
Detailed Answer:
Hello
It’s good to see you
After going carefully through the whole discussion, your suffering seems to be because of cellulitis but it needs physical and blood test to confirm. In cellulitis you have the features of Infection such as warmth, redness, swelling, pain with restricted movement.
Having said that considering your age and prolong duration of journey Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) needs to be ruled out .Do you smoke? As it is a predisposing factor for DVT beside Obesity.DVT has following features-Visible veins, pain or tenderness which may occur only while standing or walking, red colour of skin with swelling. Homman test is of some help in diagnosing DVT.In this a positive sign is present when there is pain in the calf on forceful and abruptdorsiflexion(towards the shin) of the patient's foot at the ankle while the knee is extended.
Both of this condition is treatable with excellent result. At present it’s not advisable to put on elastic bandages.
Hope this helps.
Take care
Dr.chugh
Cellulitis looks to be the cause
Detailed Answer:
Hello
It’s good to see you
After going carefully through the whole discussion, your suffering seems to be because of cellulitis but it needs physical and blood test to confirm. In cellulitis you have the features of Infection such as warmth, redness, swelling, pain with restricted movement.
Having said that considering your age and prolong duration of journey Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) needs to be ruled out .Do you smoke? As it is a predisposing factor for DVT beside Obesity.DVT has following features-Visible veins, pain or tenderness which may occur only while standing or walking, red colour of skin with swelling. Homman test is of some help in diagnosing DVT.In this a positive sign is present when there is pain in the calf on forceful and abruptdorsiflexion(towards the shin) of the patient's foot at the ankle while the knee is extended.
Both of this condition is treatable with excellent result. At present it’s not advisable to put on elastic bandages.
Hope this helps.
Take care
Dr.chugh
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. Mukesh Chugh
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :1997
Answered : 1619 Questions
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