What Causes Tightness In Leg?

Posted on Sat, 20 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 20 Jun 2015 Answered on

Wed, 15 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hey. My left calve feels slightly heavy but more tight than anything else. When i flex my toes upward i can feel the tightness in the back of my leg. I've heard that lower leg tightness can be signs of a blood clot? Does this sound like a blood clot? What should i be looking for?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This is not blood clots

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. I can assure you that it is not a blood clot. It is not common to have blood clot in young XXXXXXX patient. Most probably you are having muscle spasm . Before I advised you any rhu4i would like to know little detail of your illness.
1.Since when you are having this problem?
2. What is your job, do you have to stand or walk all the day?
3 Do you feel better with rest ?
please send me answers of these questions. I will try my best to help you.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (3 hours later)

Hi there. the other night i had shooting pain in my left calve as i was sitting in my car....i do sit for at least 8 hours a day at work. it feels okay with rest. tonight i am sleeping with my legs elevated and i did just have a few shooting pains

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You need to take vitamins

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for replying. I think most probably you have lack of vitamin B 12 and vitamin D. I would recommend you to start taking tablet Methyl cobal one daily.You should also take calcium and vitamin D 3 daily. This will improve your muscle strength. if this pain recurr then you need to take Pregabalin tablet at night time.
I hope this answer will be useful for you.Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (6 hours later)

why would it only be in one leg :(

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This can happen in one leg

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You have asked very good questions. This is common in vitamin B 12 deficiency. Mostly symptoms starts in one limb or one part of the body. If treatment is not started then it can spread. So it is better that you start treatment as soon as possible.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (24 hours later)

it's spread up the back of my thigh are you sure I shouldn't be checked for a blood clot I'm scared

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
If you want then show it to physcian

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
if you have any doubt then you can show it to physcian. But most probably it is not a clot and it is hamstring spasm. Your doctor will do a doppler to confirm that.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (32 minutes later)

I'm not all that active to be honest thats why i am confused. Ive had this somewhat heaviness in my left leg for a while now and the past few days i'm noticing it in the back of my thigh. Could it be PAD? Early symptoms? Thanks for all the help so far

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
PAD nevere present like this

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You are not having peripherl arterial disease as they present with severe pain and not just tight XXXXXXX Patients with PAd are usually smokers and complains of bluishness in skin. I do not think that you are a candidiate of PAD.
In your case either it is muscle spasm or vitamin deficiency. You should not be worried abiut any other dieases. A doppler test can be done in your case which will help us to find out this. It is a small test and not very costly also.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (28 hours later)

hi :) can my dr do that? how long do results take? it's really bothering me today even while I'm sitting it's really tight in the back of the left calf in the upper part almost where it meets the knee but like an inch down....

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This test can be done by specailst

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I do not think that your doctor can do this. You need to see a specialist in Radiodiagnosis. Reports are available in half an hour.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar