Leg Cramp or Blood Clot?
How will I know that a leg cramp is just a leg cramp and not a blood clot?
Categories: Calf Pain
3 Responses to “Leg Cramp or Blood Clot?”
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June 13th, 2008 at 7:40 am
my husband was worried about this and finally just went and was tested for it. It was expensive, but it put his mind at ease (and mine) as it came back negative.
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June 14th, 2008 at 3:27 am
I took care of an elderly woman and they tested her by flexing and unflexing the leg to see if it caused her pain. At the time they were worried because there was bruising and she was bed ridden. I was told that with blood clots there is usually at least semi constant pain whether idle or during movement and sometimes the spot gets hot or fevered.
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June 17th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Generally if its a blood clot there will be other physical symptoms that occur.
A blood clot could be a deep vein thrombosis, or the sign of a (small) stroke (in my case) - there could be disorientation, raised blood pressure, inability to ‘think’ clearly. Additionally in my case the cramp was not just a cramp but rather it caused my entire leg to stop functioning (almost like my leg was asleep).
Usually with a leg cramp you can pull your toes towards you and the cramping will abate, but with a blood clot this wont happen. Also the site where the blood clot is will be hard and sore and sometimes red and hot to the touch. You can feel along your leg for a raised ‘knot’ and see if its hot.
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