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ash20 · Apr 13, 2012, 05:14 AM

My calf has been swollen for about 8 days now. The first 2 or 3 days I have pain, like an ache type of pain. A few days before this started I had been walking 1.5 miles every other day or so, so I'm thinking this has something to do with it. But I am also concerned about a blood clot. Should I see my doctor? I am 20 years old by the way.

joypulv · Apr 13, 2012, 05:58 AM

Although you are young for blood clots, a swollen calf can be caused by them, so you do need to find out. And your entire picture is part of the exam, from smoking to birth control to family history, not just ultrasound and other tests.

ash20 · Apr 13, 2012, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by joypulv

Although you are young for blood clots, a swollen calf can be caused by them, so you do need to find out. And your entire picture is part of the exam, from smoking to birth control to family history, not just ultrasound and other tests.

Thank you for your reply.
I understand certain things can put me at a higher risk and that is why I am concerned because I do smoke. But other than that I do not think there are any risk factors. Not on birth control and no family history of blood clots, to my knowledge. But I do sit a lot at work, which really has me worried. That is why I started walking 1.5 miles a day and thinking maybe I strained it.
And like you said, 20 is rather young for blood clots.
But if not improving by Monday I will be calling my doctor.
Thanks again.

ash20 · Apr 22, 2012, 12:29 AM

So I went to Urgent care yesterday. The doctor said that he was sure it wasn't a blood clot and said it was muscle spasms.

While it eases my mind some, how can he be so sure. All he did was poke my calf. And at first said nothing was wrong until I showed him my other calf and what it should look like. He just kept saying that isn't how blood clots present themselves.

Believe him or get a second opinion?

joypulv · Apr 22, 2012, 05:14 AM

It's been this way for quite a while now, right? Since about April 5? Seems long for a spasm.
Yes, I'd go to a clinic by appointment, where you can ask for an ultrasound.
Doctors often go by probability, and the odds are against a clot at age 20. But he's the one who saw your calf, it's size, color, and resistance to pressure. Everything is mostly a guess online.