swollen calf

[jlc924]

yes i have swelling in my left calf it swells the more i am on it occasionally my right migh swell but not like my left my left gets big but when i set down the swelling goes done . all the way down. i have been checked for blood clots in bothe legs for times my left one just the other day 8-4-09 negative . i have also been checked for them in my lungs 3 times normal still dont know what is wrong dr did blood wrong god a little enemic though i had a baby 7mths ago .i heard of a clot in your pelvis but my dr said that since my leg is swollen it would have should up on a scan i have had this for 6mths there is pain there too especially if i work . i know sounds like they have ruled out dvt what do yhout think about it . anyone know anything about the pelvis dvt my dr says no clot.

[Dr Vinod]

Try to rule out simple things like hypertension and anaemia, visit a General Physician for examination .

If there is no clot in CT Scan or MRI or doppler there is no clot. Who first suspected this? Did you have a clot in the past?  If not then go for proper diagnosis and cure, do not come to diagnosis till you have been detected of the clot.

Sometimes diagnosis takes time and we value your patience as nothing comes out in tests.

Take care!

[jlc924]

It is in my ankles to not just leg but it starts in the calf i figure the aneamenia my be making my calves sore but not the swelling i dont know could ablood clot be in there this long 6mths and not show up on a venous ultrasound the dr i see say no they say i have vascular flow the mri said that too.

[Dr Vinod]

Hi again,

Swelling of legs post pregnancy:

1) Eclampsia(Hypertension)

Did he check your blood pressure? Sometimes there is increase in blood pressure during pregnancy and it is called eclampsia and it stays after pregnancy.
This is one major reason of swelling of legs.
Keep your legs elevated while sleeping on a pillow. During the day you need to raise it on a small stool  for some time after standing for long hours.
Flood pills or diuretics as we call  them help reducing the swelling and decrease the blood pressure.

2) Anaemia

Also check your blood haemoglobin as this also causes leg swelling with anaemia.

If the swelling is only in the calf as you first mentioned it may not be hypertension(eclampsia) or anaemia.

Take care!

[jlc924]

yes maybe i need to got to one but the ultrasounds i have had sevveral times do you think they have ruled out blood clot good enough my doctor gave me flood pills told me to come back in three months so what would you think he said thinks i have had every test to rule out clots in legs so what do you think are tose test accurate

[Dr Vinod]

Dear jlc924,

Hello again!

On an MRI all soft tissue problems will be detected easily. As you do not have any soft tissue issues (clot, muscle strain, tendon strain, ligament strain, bursae problem, blood vessels problem, nerve problem) do not worry and continue doing exercises.

Vascular surgeon will study in detail and examine issues concerning any clot and clear all your doubts which will make you more confident about your present condition.

Take care and keep us posted and we are always there to advise you!

[jlc924]

i have had a mri done nothing showed up. what is a vascular doctor or surgeon what do they check could it still be a blood clot i will do those exercises i would like to never have one .i hope it is okay to walk on it

[Dr Vinod]

Hi,
To prevent DVT, even if you do not have we advise you to do daily exercise at your ankle joint. Do dorsiflexion and plantar flexion for 10-20 times every couple of hours.
This will prevent future DVT.
Consult a good vascular surgeon for proper diagnosis.
Also go for an MRI of the lower leg to see for any other pathology in your muscles and tendon. Take care!