What Causes Swollen And Painful Calf With Redness?

Posted on Mon, 14 Jul 2014

Question: My right calf has a round area which is harder, red, swollen.( the calf is exactly 1 inch bigger than the other) I feel a slight pain and tingling. It started this morning but I did not pay any attention to it . When I don't put pressure on this leg, it feels better and is not red. I had varicose veins before . I had stripping and laser treatment but never a thrombosis.
Is this something serious? Should I go to the hospital tonight or wait till tomorrow?
I am a female -_76 years old/

Answered by Dr. Ashish Verma (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
could be deep vein thrombosis or cellulitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have read your query and understand your concern.

Swollen and painful calf, with redness localised to a area is more likely to be due to cellulitis. But on this history, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) also could not be ruled out.

If the pain is not very severe, you can wait till the morning (don't delay more than that), but in any case you need to show it in a hospital for a clinical examination to come to a diagnosis, as treatment of the two are entirely different. Cellulitis will need antibiotics and DVT will need anticoaculation.

Hope I have been helpful.

Regards,
Dr. Ashish Verma

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad