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Unilateral swelling in my lower leg
I have an area mid-calf, lateral where a muscle seems to be swollen. I can see a "line" which seems to be the outline of the muscle. Mild burning/ aching but nothing severe. The area is not warm to the touch and it feels firm. It's just lateral to a mole which has been deemed to be of no concern by my PCP, but I wonder. I exercise regularly, mainly walking and weights and it seems to be slightly more painful after.
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Welcome @nam093049, Your symptoms sound similar to Chronic exertional compartment syndrome - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-exertional-compartment-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20350830. Have you seen a doctor or orthopedic specialist?
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1 Reaction@johnbishop
Or A Baker Cyst.
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1 ReactionIt's not behind my knee, so it's not a baker cyst.
I think one of the more worrisome issues would be a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). An ultrasound can rule this in or out. It can be life threatening as part of the clot can become disengaged and flow to your lung causing a pulmonary thrombosis (PE). That fact that it doesn’t effect the lower part of the leg makes this less likely, but I would still get it checked out ASAP
I saw my PCP and she said it wasn't a clot and as a registered nurse, I agree. It's the muscle which is swollen.
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1 Reaction@nam093049 that’s great news!
@laura1970 No it's not great news, because I still have a sore, swollen leg.
@nam093049 but I think the chances of it being life threatening are a lot lower, that’s good news.
Hi there Nam,
Well it's not DVT, so that's good.
You mention the calf feels hard to the touch. Has your PCP considered lymphedema/peripheral edema or venous insufficiency? These are roughly related as to symptoms and result from either blockage in the lymph system, or defective valves in the veins of the calf.
You mention you are very active. So another thing it might be is a strained plantaris. This is a small band of tissue within the calf. I used to run marathons, and I strained my plantaris while training. I could walk ok, but when I tried to run it would seize up. In my case, it was caused by too much running and not enough stretching. But I don't remember the area as feeling hard to the touch.
I hope that helps. Stretching may help at some point - but if it is a strained plantaris or gastrocnemius, you'll need some down time, think RICE, to let things settle down.
I hope you find an answer, all the best!
Joe
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1 ReactionWhat about CVI? Chronic venous insufficiency. I had swelling in one calf and they said no blood clot and blamed it on aggravated bakers cyst due to overdoing it on the treadmill. Then I saw a vascular doctor who confirmed CVI. Compression socks and leg elevation forever. Glad it wasn’t DVT.