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SYMPTOMS |
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DIAGNOSIS |
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SELF-CARE |
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Did you begin to have pain after a fall, a
twisting injury or after the leg was hit? |
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Go to Question
6.* |
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| 2.
Is there a deformity of your leg, or are you
unable to stand on the leg? |
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You may have a FRACTURE of one or both bones in
the lower leg. |
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EMERGENCY
See your doctor or be seen in an emergency room
right away. |
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| 3.
Did you feel leg pain after a twisting injury to
the leg or did you hear a popping noise? |
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It's possible to BREAK a bone of the lower leg,
the fibula or tibia, and still be able to stand
on it. Some people also hear a pop when they
SPRAIN
their ankle. |
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URGENT
See your doctor or be seen in an emergency room. |
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| 4.
Is the pain primarily in the calf muscle? |
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Go to Question
6.* |
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5. Is there a visible bruise
or swelling of the calf? |
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A
partial or complete TEAR of the Achilles tendon
will cause pain and difficulty pointing the foot
down. A TORN CALF MUSCLE might produce some
bruises. |
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URGENT
Use heat and an anti-inflammatory medicine.
See your doctor. |
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A
MUSCLE PULL or STRAIN will cause pain in the
calf muscle without any bruises or swelling. |
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Swelling in the calf should always be checked.
Use heat and an anti-inflammatory medicine for
comfort. Rest is important until it's
comfortable to walk on the leg. |
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*6. Do you have pain over the
front of the leg because of running or jumping
activities? |
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You most likely have SHIN SPLINTS (inflammation
of the lower leg ligaments). |
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Use an anti-inflammatory medicine, rest, and
apply ice and/or heat to the area. If you have
numbness or weakness in the foot, see your
doctor promptly. |
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| 7.
Do you have numbness or weakness in the lower
leg and foot due to running or jumping
activities? |
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Your symptoms may be from INCREASED PRESSURE in
the areas of the muscles from exercise. |
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See your doctor. If your muscles are sore,
gradually increase your exercise routine to
prevent this condition. |
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| 8.
Do you have pain in the back of the calf along
with swelling of the calf and leg? |
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Your pain and swelling may be from a clot in the
deep veins, DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS, or a
ruptured BAKER'S CYST. |
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URGENT
See your doctor or be seen in an emergency room
right away. |
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| 9.
Do you have tender, soft knots or winding veins
in the calf or leg that are worse after standing
for long hours? |
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These are likely to be VARICOSE VEINS,
weak-walled veins that balloon out with the
pressure of standing. Varicose veins may be an
inherited trait in your family. |
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Wear support stockings or hose. Alternate
periods of standing with sitting. See your
doctor if the varicose veins are very prominent,
or if they become painful and red at any time. |
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10. Do you have a fever, a red tender area or a
red streak up your leg? |
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These are all signs of infection: CELLULITIS
(infection of the skin), LYMPHANGITIS (infection
of the lymph channels) or OSTEOMYELITIS
(infection of the bone). |
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Small infections can be stopped with heat and an
antibiotic ointment. Call your doctor if you get
a fever or if the red areas are not responding
to heat. |
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11. Do your calves ache after walking, and is
the pain relieved with rest? |
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Your muscles may not be getting enough blood
because of hardening of the arteries. |
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See your doctor. |
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12. Do you have marked swelling of your feet and
lower legs? |
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You may have EDEMA from heart failure, kidney
disease or blockage of blood returning to the
body. |
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See your doctor. |
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| For more
information, please consult your doctor. If you
think the problem is serious, call right away. |
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