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What Causes Severe Discoloration And Swelling In Left Leg?
Question: My boyfriend's left leg (& now the right) have become severely discolored and very swollen. His skin is warm to the touch, and he has difficultly walking because it is painful. He doesn't think he needs to see a doctor, I do. He has had a bad cold for the past couple of weeks and basically not moved from the chair -- very little walking, except to the bathroom, not much else. I am concerned as the redness has moved up about 3" - 4" up his thigh since I noticed this extreme leg swelling and discoloration last night. I have a photograph, if one needs to be seen. thanks - XXXXXXX Harless
Brief Answer:
Deep vein thrombosis, bleeding disorders ?
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I have read your query and understood your problem.
Since how many days is he not moving ?
Does he have any shortness of breath ?
Are his calves swollen ?
According to the history you have provided, the condition seems to fit into Deep vein thrombosis, Bleeding disorders, infectious thrombocytopenia.
I advice you to get him shown to a Doctor especially since his calves are red and swollen and can be due to a clot in his vein in the leg which can be very dangerous. It is urgent to do so.
Keep him well hydrated m avoid squeezing his calves or pressing his legs.
He will also need to be treated for the upper respiratory infection which can be a cause to the symptoms.
Kindly do the same and follow up with me.
I hope I have answered your query.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Deep vein thrombosis, bleeding disorders ?
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I have read your query and understood your problem.
Since how many days is he not moving ?
Does he have any shortness of breath ?
Are his calves swollen ?
According to the history you have provided, the condition seems to fit into Deep vein thrombosis, Bleeding disorders, infectious thrombocytopenia.
I advice you to get him shown to a Doctor especially since his calves are red and swollen and can be due to a clot in his vein in the leg which can be very dangerous. It is urgent to do so.
Keep him well hydrated m avoid squeezing his calves or pressing his legs.
He will also need to be treated for the upper respiratory infection which can be a cause to the symptoms.
Kindly do the same and follow up with me.
I hope I have answered your query.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX To answer your questions, Since how many days is he not moving ? 2 weeks - bare minimum w/few steps to bathroom or into kitchen. And before that we had just returned from the Big Island of Hawaii which was a 12 hour plane trip between the two flights back to the East Coast.
Does he have any shortness of breath ? Yes, his breathing is rapid and shallow, noticed it two days ago, but thought that could be because of the upper respiratory infection. Although, it did concern me as I know when I've been sick, my breathing wasn't like that - shallow gasps.
Are his calves swollen ? Yes - the left is twice the size of the right one. The right leg now is taking on a brownish hue and starting to swell up also - but it is not the same purplish/black that the back of his upper left thigh is colored or the deep red over the rest of that left leg. He has a bad limp since yesterday as it is very painful for him to walk. He is being very stubborn about going to the ER to see a doctor, which is alarming to me. Thank you again. --Angie Harless
Does he have any shortness of breath ? Yes, his breathing is rapid and shallow, noticed it two days ago, but thought that could be because of the upper respiratory infection. Although, it did concern me as I know when I've been sick, my breathing wasn't like that - shallow gasps.
Are his calves swollen ? Yes - the left is twice the size of the right one. The right leg now is taking on a brownish hue and starting to swell up also - but it is not the same purplish/black that the back of his upper left thigh is colored or the deep red over the rest of that left leg. He has a bad limp since yesterday as it is very painful for him to walk. He is being very stubborn about going to the ER to see a doctor, which is alarming to me. Thank you again. --Angie Harless
Brief Answer:
Need to rule out Deep vein thrombosis
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thank you for your follow up query.
As you have mentioned about the colour change, swollen calves, shortness of breath, long aeroplane journey, they ask go in XXXXXXX if deep vein thrombosis wifi can be a very serious condition and can be life threatening because a clot may be thrown to the heart or the brain.
Kindly call an ambulance and get him shown to the ER Doctor as soon as possible to get him a timely physical examination and necessary investigations to avoid any complications of this disorder.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Need to rule out Deep vein thrombosis
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thank you for your follow up query.
As you have mentioned about the colour change, swollen calves, shortness of breath, long aeroplane journey, they ask go in XXXXXXX if deep vein thrombosis wifi can be a very serious condition and can be life threatening because a clot may be thrown to the heart or the brain.
Kindly call an ambulance and get him shown to the ER Doctor as soon as possible to get him a timely physical examination and necessary investigations to avoid any complications of this disorder.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Answered by
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