Does pain from dvt come and go. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Pain: Symptoms and Similar Conditions

01.10.202303.07.2023 by alexxlab

Does pain from DVT come and go. What are the symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis. How does DVT differ from other conditions with similar symptoms. What are the risk factors for developing DVT. How can you distinguish between DVT and other vascular conditions.

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Understanding Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Symptoms and Causes

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a serious medical condition characterized by the formation of blood clots in deep veins, typically in the legs. The symptoms of DVT can be similar to other vascular conditions, making it crucial to understand its unique characteristics and risk factors.

DVT typically affects one leg and presents with the following symptoms:

Unequal swelling, with one leg larger than the other
Pain or tenderness when standing or walking
Warmth in the affected area
Red or discolored skin

Is DVT pain constant or intermittent? The pain associated with DVT can vary in intensity and duration. Some patients may experience constant discomfort, while others might notice pain that comes and goes. This variability in pain patterns underscores the importance of seeking medical attention for a proper diagnosis.

Several factors can increase the risk of developing DVT:

Injury to a vein
Immobilization (e.g., bed rest, hospitalization)
Paralysis
Hormonal factors (birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy)
Chronic diseases (heart disease, lung disease, cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases)
Family history of DVT or pulmonary embolism
Obesity
Surgery
Inherited blood clotting disorders

Recognizing the Silent Threat: Asymptomatic DVT

Can DVT occur without noticeable symptoms? Surprisingly, about half of the people who develop DVT may not experience any signs. This “silent” nature of DVT poses a significant risk, as individuals may be unaware of the condition until a potentially life-threatening complication occurs.

The most severe complication of DVT is pulmonary embolism (PE), which happens when a piece of the blood clot breaks off and travels to the lungs. PE is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Symptoms of PE include:

Shortness of breath
Pain when taking a deep breath
Coughing up blood
Racing heart rate
Rapid breathing

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): A Condition Often Confused with DVT

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a condition that shares some similarities with DVT but affects arteries rather than veins. PAD occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow to the limbs, particularly the legs.

How does PAD differ from DVT in terms of symptoms? While both conditions can cause leg pain, PAD typically presents with:

Pain, numbness, or heaviness in the legs when walking
Cramps in the feet, legs, or buttocks
Sores or wounds on the feet or legs that heal slowly
Pale or bluish-colored skin
One leg feeling cooler than the other

Unlike DVT, PAD is not typically a medical emergency. However, it can lead to serious complications such as gangrene if left untreated. Additionally, individuals with PAD have an increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Varicose Veins and Spider Veins: Superficial Vascular Conditions

Varicose veins and spider veins are two conditions that affect the superficial veins and can sometimes be mistaken for DVT. However, these conditions are generally less severe and have distinct characteristics.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins occur when the valves inside the veins become weak or damaged, causing blood to pool and the veins to swell. Unlike DVT, varicose veins are visible just beneath the surface of the skin and appear large and rope-like.

What are the common symptoms of varicose veins?

Swollen ankles and feet
Throbbing or cramping in the legs
Itchy lower legs or ankles
Aching, painful legs
Heaviness in the legs

While varicose veins can be uncomfortable and unsightly, they are generally not considered a serious medical condition. However, they may require treatment for cosmetic reasons or to alleviate discomfort.

Spider Veins

Spider veins are smaller versions of varicose veins that affect the capillaries. They typically appear on the legs or face and resemble a spider web or tree branches. Spider veins are usually blue or reddish in color.

Do spider veins cause any health concerns? Unlike DVT, spider veins are primarily a cosmetic issue and do not typically cause medical problems. They are close to the surface of the skin and do not pose the same risks as deep vein clots.

Cellulitis: A Skin Infection with DVT-Like Symptoms

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can present with symptoms similar to DVT, making it important to differentiate between the two conditions.

How does cellulitis differ from DVT in its presentation? While both conditions can cause redness, swelling, warmth, and tenderness in the affected area, cellulitis may also present with:

Chills and fever
Nausea
Drowsiness
Difficulty thinking clearly
Red streaks or bumps on the skin
Skin sores

Cellulitis requires prompt medical attention, as it can become severe if left untreated. Unlike DVT, cellulitis is typically treated with antibiotics rather than blood thinners.

Vasculitis: Inflammation of Blood Vessels

Vasculitis is a group of disorders characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. This inflammation can reduce blood flow to organs and tissues, leading to various symptoms that may sometimes be confused with DVT.

What causes vasculitis? The exact cause of vasculitis is not always clear, but it is believed to be an autoimmune response where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy blood vessels. Potential triggers include:

Genetic factors
Certain medications
Infections
Environmental factors
Allergies
Other underlying illnesses

Symptoms of vasculitis can vary widely depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some forms of vasculitis may cause leg pain or swelling, which could be mistaken for DVT. However, vasculitis often affects multiple areas of the body and may cause systemic symptoms not typically associated with DVT.

Distinguishing DVT from Other Conditions: The Importance of Professional Diagnosis

Given the similarity in symptoms between DVT and other vascular or inflammatory conditions, it is crucial to seek professional medical advice for an accurate diagnosis. Diagnostic tests that may be used to identify DVT include:

Duplex ultrasound
D-dimer blood test
Venography
CT or MRI scans

Why is early diagnosis of DVT crucial? Prompt identification and treatment of DVT can prevent potentially life-threatening complications such as pulmonary embolism. Additionally, early intervention can help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of long-term complications like post-thrombotic syndrome.

Healthcare professionals will consider various factors when diagnosing DVT, including:

Patient history and risk factors
Physical examination
Symptom presentation and duration
Results of diagnostic tests

It’s important to note that while some conditions may mimic DVT symptoms, they often have distinct characteristics that can help in differentiation. For example, cellulitis typically affects the skin and surrounding tissues, while DVT occurs in deep veins. Similarly, PAD affects arteries rather than veins and often causes pain during physical activity rather than at rest.

Prevention and Management of DVT and Related Conditions

While DVT and some of the conditions discussed share similar risk factors, there are steps individuals can take to reduce their risk and manage symptoms:

Maintain a healthy weight
Stay physically active, especially during periods of prolonged sitting or bed rest
Quit smoking
Manage underlying health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
Wear compression stockings if recommended by a healthcare provider
Stay hydrated
Follow medication regimens as prescribed

How effective are these preventive measures? While no prevention strategy is 100% foolproof, adopting these healthy habits can significantly reduce the risk of developing DVT and improve overall vascular health.

For individuals diagnosed with DVT or related conditions, treatment plans may include:

Anticoagulant medications (blood thinners)
Compression therapy
Lifestyle modifications
Regular follow-up appointments with healthcare providers
In some cases, surgical interventions or minimally invasive procedures

It’s essential to work closely with healthcare professionals to develop an appropriate treatment and management plan tailored to individual needs and circumstances.

The Role of Patient Education in DVT Awareness

Educating patients about DVT and its symptoms plays a crucial role in early detection and prevention of complications. Healthcare providers should focus on:

Explaining the risk factors for DVT
Teaching patients to recognize the signs and symptoms of DVT and pulmonary embolism
Providing information on preventive measures and lifestyle modifications
Emphasizing the importance of seeking medical attention for unexplained leg pain or swelling
Discussing the potential complications of untreated DVT

How can patient education improve outcomes in DVT management? By empowering patients with knowledge about DVT, they are more likely to:

Recognize symptoms early and seek timely medical attention
Adhere to prescribed treatment plans
Implement preventive measures in their daily lives
Communicate effectively with healthcare providers about their symptoms and concerns

This increased awareness and engagement can lead to better overall outcomes and reduced complications associated with DVT.

4 Conditions With Similar Symptoms to DVT

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Deep Vein Thrombosis
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Varicose Veins
Spider Veins
Cellulitis
Vasculitis
Acute Arterial Occlusion
Necrotizing Fasciitis
Nephrotic Syndrome
Congestive Heart Failure
Lymphedema
Venous Stasis
Acute Compartment Syndrome
Superficial Thrombophlebitis
More

You may have DVT, deep vein thrombosis, if you notice that one limb is swollen, painful, warm, and red. But many other things can cause similar symptoms. Some of them, like minor cuts, fractures, or sprains, are relatively harmless, and others are more serious. You’ll need to see a doctor to find out what’s going on and what treatment is needed. Learn about some of these conditions below.

You can get DVT at any age, and several things can cause it. Some of them are:

Injury to a vein
Anything that immobilizes you, such as bed rest, hospitalization, recovery from an injury
Paralysis
Birth control pills
Hormone replacement therapy
Pregnancy
Chronic diseases like heart disease, lung disease, cancer, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis
Family history of DVT or pulmonary embolism
Obesity
Surgery
A blood clotting disease that you inherit

DVT normally affects just one leg. Symptoms include:

Unequal swelling, where one leg is larger than the other
Pain or tenderness when you stand or walk
Warmth
Red or discolored skin

About half of people who get DVT won’t have any signs. You may not know you have a clot unless a piece of it breaks off and travels to your lung. That’s a medical emergency called a pulmonary embolism. Call 911 right away if you have:

Shortness of breath
Pain when you take a deep breath
Coughing up blood
Racing heart rate
Rapid breathing

You get this when the arteries in your legs become hard and narrow. In PAD, plaque builds up in the arteries. Over time, it can block blood flow to your arms and legs. When this condition affects veins instead of arteries, it’s called peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

Some of the symptoms are:

Pain, numbness, aching, or heaviness in your legs when you walk
Cramps in your feet, leg, or butt
Sores or wounds on your feet or legs that don’t get better
Pale or bluish-colored skin
One leg feels cooler than the other.

PAD isn’t a medical emergency, but lack of blood flow to your legs can cause serious problems like gangrene. That’s when the tissue in your leg dies.

You’ll also have a greater risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. But when you make changes to manage your condition, you’ll lower your chances of getting those, too. The same risks that lead to heart attacks and strokes also cause PAD. They include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Unlike DVT, these appear just beneath the surface of your skin. You get them when the valves inside your veins become weak or damaged. Normally, the valves help blood flow to your heart. When they don’t work right, blood pools inside your veins. They swell and become large and rope-like. That’s another difference from DVT — the surface-level clots that come with varicose veins are uncommon and don’t usually break free and travel to your lungs. When DVTs do this, it’s called a pulmonary embolism, and it can be fatal.

If you have varicose veins, you’ll notice:

Swollen ankles and feet
Throbbing or cramping in your legs
Itchy lower legs or ankles
Achy, painful legs
Heaviness in your legs

Varicose veins aren’t serious. Talk to your doctor about treatments.

These are a smaller type of varicose veins. They affect your capillaries, the smallest blood vessels in your body.

You’re most likely to get these on your legs or face. They look like a spider web or the branches on a tree. They’re usually a blue or reddish color. You may not like how they look, but they don’t cause any medical problems.

And because they’re like varicose veins, spider veins also differ from DVT because they’re close to the surface and don’t tend to break free and move into your lungs.

Here, bacteria infect the skin. The first signs can mirror DVT, with skin that’s red, swollen, warm, and sensitive to the touch. Other possible symptoms, like chills, fever, nausea, drowsiness, and trouble thinking, are less likely in DVT. The same goes for the red streaks, bumps, or sores that might appear on your skin.

Get care right away if you notice these signs, because it can be very serious if you don’t treat it.

It’s inflammation of the blood vessels. This can lessen essential blood flow to your organs and other tissue. There are almost 20 versions of the disease, but all seem to happen when your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue (autoimmune disease). Doctors don’t know exactly what causes it, though possible triggers appear to include genes, medication, infection, environment, allergies, and other illnesses.

Symptoms vary by person and the type of disease, but may include:

Rashes or skin lesions (more than just the swelling and darkening in DVT)
Pain: Aches in your muscles, belly, joints, or head (uncommon in DVT except in affected limb)
Lack of appetite and weight loss (uncommon in DVT)
Tiredness and fever (uncommon in DVT)
Blurry vision, eye pain, and redness (uncommon in DVT)
Ear or sinus problems that don’t go away (uncommon in DVT)
Shortness of breath and coughing (could cough up blood)
Tingling, numbness, weakness, and nerve pain (neuropathy) (uncommon in DVT)
Bloody or dark-colored urine (could be kidney problems) (uncommon in DVT)

It means a blocked artery, and it typically happens in a previously open blood vessel that shows signs of plaque (atherosclerosis) or other damage, or that doctors previously repaired with a stent or graft.

The artery becomes blocked in one of two ways:

It slowly narrows to a close as plaque builds up
Tiny networks of blood vessels in the plaqued walls of an artery tear, and the blood and fluid form a clot.

Symptoms include:

Pain in the affected limb gets gradually worse and spreads slowly toward the trunk of your body. (DVT pain tends to center on thrombosis.)
The skin of the limb is typically cool to the touch. (DVT typically warms the skin.)
Skin looks pale and patchy because of lack of blood supply to the skin’s surface. (DVT typically reddens skin.)
Skin can blister as the condition worsens. (uncommon in DVT)
You and your doctor may not be able to feel a normal pulse in the affected limb. (uncommon in DVT)
Burning or prickling sensation, typically in the legs, feet, hand or arms (possible, but uncommon, in DVT)

Also known as “flesh-eating disease,” it’s a life-threatening infection that spreads quickly and kills the body’s soft tissue (muscle, fat, and tissue connecting muscle to bone). Injury or surgery can create a break in the skin that may lead to infection if the right bacteria are around.

If you’re healthy, have a strong immune system you’re unlikely to get it. It’s treated with antibiotics through a vein, along with surgical removal of infected tissue. Early symptoms can include:

An area of skin where redness, warmth, or swelling spreads quickly
Serious pain, including beyond the skin obviously affected
Fever (uncommon in DVT)

Later symptoms might include:

Changes in skin color
Blisters or black spots on skin (uncommon in DVT)
Liquid or pus oozing from sores (uncommon in DVT)
Tiredness, dizziness, diarrhea, or nausea

It’s a kidney illness that causes your body to pass too much protein when you pee. It’s typically due to damage to the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys (glomeruli) that filter waste and extra fluid from your blood. A number of conditions can cause this damage, including diabetic kidney disease, amyloidosis, glomerulosclerosis, and lupus. Typical symptoms include:

Swelling from fluid buildup (edema), especially around ankles, feet, and eyes, often on both sides (instead of just one in DVT)
Foamy urine, a result of excess protein in your urine (uncommon in DVT)
Weight gain due to fluid retention (uncommon in DVT)
Tiredness (uncommon in DVT)
Loss of appetite (uncommon in DVT)

Heart failure means the heart doesn’t pump as well as it should. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a type that happens when blood flows too slowly out of the heart. This causes a backup of the blood trying to return to the heart and lungs for more oxygen.

The pressure causes a buildup of fluid (edema) that can collect, most often in the legs and ankles, but other areas as well. CHF also could increase the work of your kidneys, which often leads to edema. The swelling could mirror DVT, but it typically happens in both legs instead of just one as in DVT.

Fluid that collects in the lungs (pulmonary edema) can cause shortness of breath that mirrors the symptoms of a pulmonary embolism that can happen with DVT. Symptoms typically worsen when you lie down.

It typically happens when doctors remove or damage one or more of your lymph nodes — small glands that help get rid of fluid, waste, and germs — as part of cancer treatment. This stops fluid from draining, and that causes arms, legs, feet, and other areas to swell. There’s no cure, but your doctor can help you manage it with movement exercises, massage, and bandages that push on swollen areas.

As with DVT, lymphedema often causes swelling or tightness in all or part of an affected limb. Also like DVT, symptoms are sometimes so mild that you don’t notice. Unlike DVT, the swelling can often include your fingers or toes. Other symptoms include:

A feeling of heaviness in affected legs (uncommon in DVT)
A hard time moving as freely
A general aching or discomfort (DVT pain tends to center on a specific area)
Infections that repeat (uncommon in DVT)
Skin that hardens and thickens (fibrosis)

It’s when blood pools in the veins. It happens when the valves in your veins stop working properly, so the blood moves backward and collects. This pushes fluid into nearby tissue, which can cause swelling and irritation that looks like DVT. Over time, this inflammation can start to break down tissue and lead to sores or “ulcers” on the surface of the skin (uncommon in DVT).

You may feel full, achy, and tired in your legs, and it may get worse when you stand. You also might notice varicose veins on the skin of your legs.

Your muscles group together in your arm, leg, hand, or foot, along with blood vessels and nerves. Each group is enclosed in tissue (fascia), and together, they make up a “compartment.”

When the pressure builds up inside one of these compartments, it can cause swelling and tenderness that mirror symptoms of DVT. Unlike DVT, acute compartment syndrome typically happens soon after a sudden injury like a fracture. Other possible causes include a serious burn that scars skin or surgery to repair a blocked blood vessel. You may also notice:

Tightness in affected muscle
Intense pain, especially if you stretch muscle (more than expected for injury)
Tingling or burning feeling
Numbness or weakness (may be signs of permanent damage)

Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency and requires treatment right away.

This happens when a blood clot forms in a vein just under your skin. If you have it, you may have:

Swelling
Pain
Tenderness
Warmth
Redness

These symptoms are much like those of DVT, but unlike a DVT, it happens close to the surface, not deep within your body.

About 20% of people who have this condition also get a blood clot in their leg. Call your doctor if you notice anything unusual. They’ll check to see what’s going on.

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4 Conditions With Similar Symptoms to DVT

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Deep Vein Thrombosis
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Varicose Veins
Spider Veins
Cellulitis
Vasculitis
Acute Arterial Occlusion
Necrotizing Fasciitis
Nephrotic Syndrome
Congestive Heart Failure
Lymphedema
Venous Stasis
Acute Compartment Syndrome
Superficial Thrombophlebitis
More

You can get DVT at any age, and several things can cause it. Some of them are:

Injury to a vein
Anything that immobilizes you, such as bed rest, hospitalization, recovery from an injury
Paralysis
Birth control pills
Hormone replacement therapy
Pregnancy
Chronic diseases like heart disease, lung disease, cancer, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis
Family history of DVT or pulmonary embolism
Obesity
Surgery
A blood clotting disease that you inherit

DVT normally affects just one leg. Symptoms include:

Unequal swelling, where one leg is larger than the other
Pain or tenderness when you stand or walk
Warmth
Red or discolored skin

Shortness of breath
Pain when you take a deep breath
Coughing up blood
Racing heart rate
Rapid breathing

Some of the symptoms are:

Pain, numbness, aching, or heaviness in your legs when you walk
Cramps in your feet, leg, or butt
Sores or wounds on your feet or legs that don’t get better
Pale or bluish-colored skin
One leg feels cooler than the other.

PAD isn’t a medical emergency, but lack of blood flow to your legs can cause serious problems like gangrene. That’s when the tissue in your leg dies.

If you have varicose veins, you’ll notice:

Swollen ankles and feet
Throbbing or cramping in your legs
Itchy lower legs or ankles
Achy, painful legs
Heaviness in your legs

Varicose veins aren’t serious. Talk to your doctor about treatments.

These are a smaller type of varicose veins. They affect your capillaries, the smallest blood vessels in your body.

And because they’re like varicose veins, spider veins also differ from DVT because they’re close to the surface and don’t tend to break free and move into your lungs.

Get care right away if you notice these signs, because it can be very serious if you don’t treat it.

Symptoms vary by person and the type of disease, but may include:

Rashes or skin lesions (more than just the swelling and darkening in DVT)
Pain: Aches in your muscles, belly, joints, or head (uncommon in DVT except in affected limb)
Lack of appetite and weight loss (uncommon in DVT)
Tiredness and fever (uncommon in DVT)
Blurry vision, eye pain, and redness (uncommon in DVT)
Ear or sinus problems that don’t go away (uncommon in DVT)
Shortness of breath and coughing (could cough up blood)
Tingling, numbness, weakness, and nerve pain (neuropathy) (uncommon in DVT)
Bloody or dark-colored urine (could be kidney problems) (uncommon in DVT)

The artery becomes blocked in one of two ways:

It slowly narrows to a close as plaque builds up
Tiny networks of blood vessels in the plaqued walls of an artery tear, and the blood and fluid form a clot.

Symptoms include:

Pain in the affected limb gets gradually worse and spreads slowly toward the trunk of your body. (DVT pain tends to center on thrombosis.)
The skin of the limb is typically cool to the touch. (DVT typically warms the skin.)
Skin looks pale and patchy because of lack of blood supply to the skin’s surface. (DVT typically reddens skin.)
Skin can blister as the condition worsens. (uncommon in DVT)
You and your doctor may not be able to feel a normal pulse in the affected limb. (uncommon in DVT)
Burning or prickling sensation, typically in the legs, feet, hand or arms (possible, but uncommon, in DVT)

An area of skin where redness, warmth, or swelling spreads quickly
Serious pain, including beyond the skin obviously affected
Fever (uncommon in DVT)

Later symptoms might include:

Changes in skin color
Blisters or black spots on skin (uncommon in DVT)
Liquid or pus oozing from sores (uncommon in DVT)
Tiredness, dizziness, diarrhea, or nausea

Swelling from fluid buildup (edema), especially around ankles, feet, and eyes, often on both sides (instead of just one in DVT)
Foamy urine, a result of excess protein in your urine (uncommon in DVT)
Weight gain due to fluid retention (uncommon in DVT)
Tiredness (uncommon in DVT)
Loss of appetite (uncommon in DVT)

A feeling of heaviness in affected legs (uncommon in DVT)
A hard time moving as freely
A general aching or discomfort (DVT pain tends to center on a specific area)
Infections that repeat (uncommon in DVT)
Skin that hardens and thickens (fibrosis)

You may feel full, achy, and tired in your legs, and it may get worse when you stand. You also might notice varicose veins on the skin of your legs.

Your muscles group together in your arm, leg, hand, or foot, along with blood vessels and nerves. Each group is enclosed in tissue (fascia), and together, they make up a “compartment.”

Tightness in affected muscle
Intense pain, especially if you stretch muscle (more than expected for injury)
Tingling or burning feeling
Numbness or weakness (may be signs of permanent damage)

Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency and requires treatment right away.

This happens when a blood clot forms in a vein just under your skin. If you have it, you may have:

Swelling
Pain
Tenderness
Warmth
Redness

These symptoms are much like those of DVT, but unlike a DVT, it happens close to the surface, not deep within your body.

About 20% of people who have this condition also get a blood clot in their leg. Call your doctor if you notice anything unusual. They’ll check to see what’s going on.

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The child’s legs hurt.

What to do?

What is leg pain in a child?

Leg pain can be described as any sensation of pain or discomfort in the area between the groin and ankle. Depending on the cause, leg pain can range from moderate to severe, and symptoms can be constant (continuous) or intermittent (come and go). Leg pain can be acute, meaning it comes on quickly and then goes away. Or it can take weeks or months. Then it is called chronic leg pain. For some children, chronic leg pain can last for years and affect their lives.

What symptoms are associated with leg pain?

Pain in the leg may affect only a small part of the leg, or may cover most or even the entire leg. The pain may be dull or sharp, burning, tingling or dull. The child may experience pain in the buttocks, lower back, spine, or foot.

Other signs and symptoms that may occur with leg pain include:

swelling
varicose veins 9What causes pain in the legs of children?
Here are some common causes of leg pain:
- Cramp: This is when the muscles suddenly contract. The pain is usually felt in the lower leg and goes away on its own fairly quickly.
- Muscle strains and strains. The leg may be very sensitive, and there may be muscle spasm, swelling, or difficulty moving the leg.
- Minor injury such as a blow, blow, or bruise: There may be redness, swelling, or discoloration of the skin at the site of the injury.
- Fracture: A broken or cracked bone can also cause swelling, deformity, bruising, and loss of strength or movement in the leg.
- Infection: Ulcers, infected wounds, or blisters may also cause redness, swelling, and fever in the affected area. The child may have a fever and general malaise.
- Injury to nearby joints, bones, or muscles: Very painful nodules can form in surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Pain in the back of the leg can be caused by back joint problems or sciatica. Ankle, knee, or hip problems can also cause leg pain.
- Too little use of the leg: The child may also have tingling or muscle stiffness.
- Blood vessel problems such as blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) or poor circulation: The child may also have swelling, pressure, tenderness, or paleness in the legs.
- Varicose veins: the pain may be aching, throbbing or burning. The child may also have heaviness, cramps or restlessness in the legs, swelling of the ankles, darkening of the skin over the veins, and an itchy rash.
- Nerve problems such as diabetic neuropathy: The child may also have weakness, numbness or tingling.
- Compartment Syndrome: The pain will be intense and worse when the child pulls the leg and the skin feels tingling, burning or numb. The skin may look pale and feel cold.
- Leg pain can also be part of chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
- Growing pains: The child may have a sore or burning sensation in the muscles of the thighs, calves, or feet, usually at night.
When should I see a doctor?
Seek immediate medical attention if the child has pain in the legs and:
- the leg is swollen
- the leg is deformed or unusable
- the leg is unusually cool or pale
- the leg is numb and weak
- leg reddened and hot
- both legs are swollen and have trouble breathing
- the pain is getting worse
Seek medical attention as soon as possible if the child has signs of infection such as fever, calf pain after a long journey, or any serious symptoms that occur Without explaning the reason.
Growing pains in children
Pain in the legs is very common in children, especially at primary school age. Most often, such pains are “growing pains”. It is not known what causes growing pains. In most children examined by doctors with growing pains, there is no objective reason for their appearance. One theory is that pain is related to exercise, but this is not always the case. Some children with growing pains in their legs may also experience abdominal pain and headaches. In these children, growing pains may be associated with stress or anxiety and may be psychosomatic.
Symptoms of growing pains in the legs
If your child has growing pains, he may say that he has aching or burning sensations in both legs – in the muscles of the thighs, calves or feet. Pain can also occur in the arms or other parts of the body, although this is much less common. Pain in the legs usually occurs at night and can sometimes even wake the child. They are also common during the daytime, but are rarely dangerous enough to interfere with daily activities. For most children, leg pain or discomfort tends to come and go. It is difficult to say when such pains will begin and when they will pass. A child with growing pains in the legs usually starts on their own or allows the parents to massage the painful area. This can help tell the difference between growing pains and a more serious condition. Children who have leg pain due to a more serious cause usually do not allow anyone to touch the painful area.
Should I see a doctor about my child’s leg pain?
You should take your child to a GP if you think something more serious is going on with their legs. For example:
- The pain is very severe and does not go away.
- Your child is lame.
- Painful part of the body is sensitive, hot or swollen to the touch.
Sometimes your GP may order an x-ray or blood test to make sure there is no other cause of pain, such as a fracture or inflammation.
Treatment of growing pains in the legs
There is no specific treatment for growing pains. You can tell your child that the pain is not serious and it will go away. Massage or applying a heating pad to the affected area may help. Stretching your muscles and taking a warm bath before bed can also help. Sometimes the GP may offer your child some kind of mild pain medication, such as paracetamol. There is no need to interfere with the child’s exercise. Growing pains usually go away with time. There is no prevention for growing pains in the legs: there is nothing you can do to prevent growing pains in a child.
Call a doctor at home
To make an appointment with a doctor
or call +7 (812) 331-17-74
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and what are its symptoms
What is DVT?
Deep vein thrombosis is an abnormal blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg or pelvis, and is thought to affect about 1 in every 1000 people in the UK.
Large DVT can travel from the veins of the legs or pelvis and travel through the venous system to the heart and then to the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism (PE), which is a very serious medical condition and can even be fatal.
While most DVTs are small, harmless, and go away on their own, it is true that many DVTs are never diagnosed and are often misrepresented by patients, doctors, and nurses as “sprained muscles” or other leg pain. Without duplex vein ultrasound by a vascular specialist (who can scan even the smallest veins in the calves), it is impossible to accurately determine the presence or absence of DVT.
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How to avoid DVT
Most people have heard of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but are surprised to learn about the causes of this condition. Many people associate DVT with long-haul flights, and while this is one of the main reasons, there are many others that should be acknowledged.
If you are in the hospital for surgery, the risk of a blood clot increases. This is because DVT is more likely to occur when you are unwell or less active than usual. Pregnancy can also cause DVT. During pregnancy, blood clots more easily. This is the body’s way of preventing too much blood from being lost during childbirth. Genetics also play a role, and if someone in your family has had DVT before, then you are also more likely to have this condition.
Warning signs of deep vein thrombosis
Possible symptoms of deep vein thrombosis may include:
- Leg pain or tenderness for no apparent reason – may be above the knee, below the knee, or in both legs.
- Swelling of the ankle, ankle and calf, ankle, calf and thigh, or even the whole leg.
- Severe pain in the leg – especially when standing or walking
- Warm skin in the area of swelling
- Sometimes the skin may be slightly redder, but this is less common.
- DVT usually affects one leg but can rarely affect both.
Approximately half of patients have no symptoms or “warning signs” and are diagnosed with DVT only when complications occur.
See a specialist
If people are in doubt as to whether they are suffering from DVT or any other venous disease, they should see a venous specialist as soon as possible for duplex ultrasound and treatment advice.
Many emergency departments do a blood test and, if positive, give heparin while duplex scanning is being arranged.
If DVT is diagnosed and treated immediately, in most cases the clot resolves and the vein returns to normal. If diagnosis and treatment are delayed, or if repeated DVTs occur in the same leg, deep veins can become frightened and stop working properly. This causes “post-thrombotic syndrome” (PTS), which can cause chronic leg pain and swelling, discoloration of the skin, and often leg ulcers.
It is also important to know why the blood clot formed. This may be due to varicose veins, tightness of the veins, changes in the blood (dehydration, smoking, and certain drugs) or blood flow, or even a sign of another medical condition, including abnormal blood clotting.