Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Versus Calf Strain (Case Study)

Today's episode covers a case I saw in the clinic in which a patient presented with symptoms consistent with a calf muscle strain, but ended up having a blood clot or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT describes a situation in which a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one of our deep veins. In many instances, this occurs in the calf region and happens after a person has undergone a surgical procedure. Typical symptoms include pain, swelling and warmth in the region. Besides surgery, blood clots can occur when we have been sedentary for extended periods (plane flight, bed rest after an injury, etc). DVTs can become a life-threatening if they break loose and move through the blood stream to the lungs. This situation is referred to as a pulmonary embolism (PE) and blocks blood flow to a portion of the lungs.

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