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Do I Need To Seek Medical Care Because About An Hour And A Half Ago, I Noticed A Sudden Pain In The Back Of My Right Calf Without Injury?
Posted on
Fri, 27 Jul 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 27 Jul 2018
Answered on
Tue, 13 Dec 2022
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi Dr.,
I am writing because about an hour and a half ago, I noticed a sudden pain in the back of my right calf, which did not seem to be caused by any injury. I had been sitting in a theater for about 2 hours and felt the pain once I got up after the show. It definitely is more painful to touch and pressure. I took 2 aspirin when I got home and the pain has subsided a bit, but there still is some present. Is this just a muscle or nerve issue caused from maybe sitting in an abnormal position? What I am most worried about would be a blood clot, but I am unsure what that might feel like. Please let me know if there would be additional symptoms or if I need to seek medical care. Thank you.
I am writing because about an hour and a half ago, I noticed a sudden pain in the back of my right calf, which did not seem to be caused by any injury. I had been sitting in a theater for about 2 hours and felt the pain once I got up after the show. It definitely is more painful to touch and pressure. I took 2 aspirin when I got home and the pain has subsided a bit, but there still is some present. Is this just a muscle or nerve issue caused from maybe sitting in an abnormal position? What I am most worried about would be a blood clot, but I am unsure what that might feel like. Please let me know if there would be additional symptoms or if I need to seek medical care. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Likely, it's a muscular pain
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Likely it a muscular pain due to muscle cramp or spasm. Less likely to be DVT but we can't be sure unless we get Compression ultrasound.
DVT will also produce swelling over the calf and foot, If it's there then you should get Compression ultrasound done to rule out DVT. Aspirin has also got pain killer property so it may relieve pain to some extent. Also, see if you get pain in calf on passive dorsiflexion of the foot, if yes it suggests the possibility of DVT.
So overall, muscular is more likely, but should get ultrasound done to rule out DVT for sure.
Hope this helps you and get back if you have any doubts.
Thanks.
Likely, it's a muscular pain
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Likely it a muscular pain due to muscle cramp or spasm. Less likely to be DVT but we can't be sure unless we get Compression ultrasound.
DVT will also produce swelling over the calf and foot, If it's there then you should get Compression ultrasound done to rule out DVT. Aspirin has also got pain killer property so it may relieve pain to some extent. Also, see if you get pain in calf on passive dorsiflexion of the foot, if yes it suggests the possibility of DVT.
So overall, muscular is more likely, but should get ultrasound done to rule out DVT for sure.
Hope this helps you and get back if you have any doubts.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Brief Answer:
Don't think, you ll need it
Detailed Answer:
Okay..if it appears to be very superficial, then i don't think, you need an ultrasound. However, if swelling appears in the foot and calf then you should have it.
Since you are having pain, warmth and redness then is there any possibility of insect bite ?
Hot and cold compression will provide you some symptomatic relief but will not help otherwise. If symptoms persists till tomorrow morning then you should get an ultrasound. All the best.
Thanks.
Don't think, you ll need it
Detailed Answer:
Okay..if it appears to be very superficial, then i don't think, you need an ultrasound. However, if swelling appears in the foot and calf then you should have it.
Since you are having pain, warmth and redness then is there any possibility of insect bite ?
Hot and cold compression will provide you some symptomatic relief but will not help otherwise. If symptoms persists till tomorrow morning then you should get an ultrasound. All the best.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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