Unilateral swelling in my lower leg

Posted by nam093049 @nam093049, 1 day ago

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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It's not behind my knee, so it's not a baker cyst.

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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

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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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Profile picture for nam093049 @nam093049

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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@nam093049 that’s great news!

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Profile picture for laura1970 @laura1970

@nam093049 that’s great news!

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@laura1970 No it's not great news, because I still have a sore, swollen leg.

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Profile picture for nam093049 @nam093049

@laura1970 No it's not great news, because I still have a sore, swollen leg.

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@nam093049 but I think the chances of it being life threatening are a lot lower, that’s good news.

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