“Muscle injury or DVT?”
I'm a 29 year old male. I'm pretty overweight and I smoke. I have an active job in the construction field. About 2 weeks ago the back of my calf started hurting. Since then it has gotten more painful. I've tried antiinflammatories, icing it, and elevating it but nothing makes a noticeable difference for long. I've been avoiding a doctor's visit because I don't have insurance so I don't want to go just for a pulled muscle but I'm starting to worry if it may be a clot. I don't have any swelling that I or my partner can see or any redness or heat to the area but it does hurt to flex my foot and the pain has been getting worse and not better. Try to decide if I need to bite the bullet and go to urgent care or if I'm just paranoid and need to wait for my muscle to heal.
Male | 29 years old
Complaint duration: 13 days
Medications: None
Conditions: Unknown
3 Answers
Hello and thanks for sharing your calf issue with the FATD community. I offer you my thoughts, tips, and suggestions regarding your problem.
From the history you provided, it seems as if you stretched out or partially strained (tore) the soft tissues in your calf. If this pain began due to work-related activities (during working hours) then you may want to report this to your supervisor and claim a WC injury and use their insurance. Without specific trauma, and minimal swelling, bruising, or warmth, then I think it is best to be safe and head to an Urgent Care center. They should be able to do a test to see how your blood vessels are functioning in your leg.
From the history you provided, it seems as if you stretched out or partially strained (tore) the soft tissues in your calf. If this pain began due to work-related activities (during working hours) then you may want to report this to your supervisor and claim a WC injury and use their insurance. Without specific trauma, and minimal swelling, bruising, or warmth, then I think it is best to be safe and head to an Urgent Care center. They should be able to do a test to see how your blood vessels are functioning in your leg.
You need to go to the doctor and have an ultrasound to rule out DVT now. Do not delay.
Urgent care won’t help. Don’t waste your money. Likely need an ultrasound. If you don’t have a primary physician to order it the most efficient way is the ED. Likely low to moderate probability of a clot but only way to know is to be examined.
