Swollen Leg or Calf Pain: Could It Be a Blood Clot?
A swollen, painful, warm calf on one side can be a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis, DVT), so it needs to be checked the same day. Don't massage it or wait to see if it improves.
Call 911 if you also have chest pain, sudden breathlessness or cough up blood, because the clot may have reached the lungs. Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7.
Key takeaways
- NHS signs of DVT: throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, and warm, red or darker skin, usually in one calf.
- Risk rises with long journeys, recent surgery or injury, being immobile, pregnancy, some medicines and some medical conditions.
- A swollen calf that might be a clot needs assessment the same day.
- Chest pain, breathlessness or coughing blood with a swollen leg means call 911.
- Both legs swollen at the end of the day is usually something else, but tell a doctor if it is new.
After a long flight, a car journey or a few days in bed, a sore calf is easy to put down to cramp. Most of the time it is. But one swollen, painful leg can be a clot, and clots can travel. This guide follows the NHS pages on deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. For sharp chest pain on breathing in, see chest pain when breathing in.
What are the signs of a blood clot in the leg?
- Throbbing or cramping pain in one leg, usually the calf, often worse on walking or flexing the foot.
- Swelling in one leg.
- Warm skin over the sore area.
- Red or darker skin over the area.
- Swollen veins that look more obvious than usual.
Some people have few symptoms. A leg that is swollen on just one side is the sign to take most seriously.
Who is more at risk?
- Long journeys by plane, car or bus, or any long period without moving.
- Recent surgery, a leg injury or a cast.
- Being in hospital or confined to bed.
- Pregnancy and the weeks after birth.
- Some medicines, such as hormone treatments, and some medical conditions and cancers.
- Being older, overweight, or a smoker.
What should you do if you suspect a clot?
Get checked the same day. Don't massage the leg, and don't take extra medicines to 'thin the blood' unless a doctor has told you to. At Emergency Plus in Dabouq the doctor can examine you and the team may use the on-site ultrasound or laboratory where appropriate, and will explain the next step. If you develop chest pain or breathlessness, call 911.
To keep legs moving on long journeys, walk about every hour or two where you can, and stay hydrated. See also knee pain: calf swelling and DVT.
Swollen leg: what could it be?
| What it may be | Typical signs | When it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood clot (DVT) | One swollen, painful, warm calf | After travel, surgery or bed rest | Be seen today |
| Clot reaching the lungs | Sharp chest pain, breathless, cough with blood | Sudden | Call 911 |
| Muscle strain or cramp | Tight, sore calf, no swelling or warmth | After exercise or at night | Rest, stretch, gentle walking |
| Skin infection (cellulitis) | Red, hot, painful skin, may have fever | Days | Be seen today |
When is a swollen leg an emergency?
Call 911 or go to the ER now if:
- Sudden chest pain, especially sharp pain when breathing in.
- Sudden shortness of breath.
- Coughing up blood.
- Fainting, a racing heart or feeling very faint with a swollen leg.
- A leg that is cold, pale or blue, or has lost feeling.
- A swollen leg with severe pain after an injury.
- Fever, shaking and a hot red leg that is spreading fast.
See a doctor the same day if:
- One swollen, painful, warm calf with no chest symptoms.
- A new swollen leg after surgery, a cast, a long journey or pregnancy.
- Red, hot, painful skin on the leg.
Usually fine at home if:
- Both feet mildly puffy at the end of a hot day, long-standing, with no pain.
- A tight calf after exercise with no swelling or warmth.
- Cramp at night that eases with stretching.
What happens when you come to Emergency Plus?
At the emergency department at Emergency Plus in Dabouq, emergency doctors are on site 24/7 and you can walk in without an appointment. The team will ask about your symptoms, check you, and may use the on-site X-ray, ultrasound or laboratory where they are needed. They will explain the right next step for you, in Arabic or English.
One leg swollen and sore?
For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 and don't drive yourself. For anything urgent that is not life-threatening, the emergency department at Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 with no appointment, with an Arabic and English speaking team.
Call our 24/7 ER: +962 79 247 1313Sources
- NHS — Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- NHS — Pulmonary embolism
- NHS — Blood clots
- MedlinePlus — Deep vein thrombosis
- WHO — Emergency care
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 — +962 79 247 1313.