Calf Pain

[a55telly]

Recently I spent 3 weeks in the hospital with pneumonia.  While there, I was given blood thinners to avoid blot clots.  A few days before I left the hospital, my feet and lower legs started swelling, particularly the right one.  By the time I was ready to be released from the hospital, the swelling had gone down substantially.  After a few days at home, the swelling began again and I was sent back to the emergency room to have a doppler ultrasound.  The ultrasound showed no evidence of blood clots.  Now a few weeks later, my right calf has become extremely painful.  I can hardly walk on it and it is very painful to touch.  There is no swelling.  Although I have already had the one negative ultrasound done, is it still possible that I may have a blood clot?

[a55telly]

Thanks so much for your help.  I will follow up with my physician.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
The commonest cause of pain in the calf is DVT or deep vein thrombosis and clots. This is best diagnosed by duplex ultrasound (color dopplar) or by angiogram. If dopplar is negative, then ask your vascular specialist whether an angiogram should be done or not. Infection of deep veins called phlebitis and infection of skin called cellulitis could also be a cause. It can also be infection of lymphatics. At times it is also due to low sodium, potassium, magnesium or calcium in the body. Hence serum levels of these electrolytes should also be checked. Do discuss this with your specialist again. Take care!