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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

Calf pain under cast

32 replies

NicoAndTheNiners · 21/04/2019 09:07

I'm hoping it might just be muscle pain but am slightly worried about dvt.

Have been in a below knee cast, non weight bearing for two weeks. Am struggling with the crutches so not bothering moving about much. Have spent the last two days in bed.

The night before last I had awful calf pain under the cast, making me cry/scream pain. But was ok yesterday morning. Injury is an ankle injury so nowhere near the calf and it's a chronic injury I've had for months and this pain is new.

Pain came back last night. Was ok if I laid down but if I was upright on my crutches was agony. Almost as if when the blood flow went into my leg as I became upright the pain increased. I would lie down and it would ease off, stand up and within 15 seconds I was screaming.

So I stayed laid down.

It's still bad this morning. Calf is aching even when laid down, agony when stood up. Calf feels hot when I poke my finger down the cast but then it's in a cast! Can't tell if swollen or any redness.

Just wondering from anyone who's had a cast before is this normal?

OP posts:

Report

TheoriginalLEM · 21/04/2019 09:08

Call 111 for advice

CrotchetyQuaver · 21/04/2019 09:12

If it's crying/screaming pain then I think you need to call 111.

NicoAndTheNiners · 21/04/2019 09:18

Thanks. Ringing them now.

OP posts:

NicoAndTheNiners · 21/04/2019 09:25

Got to go to a&e

OP posts:

Heaviestdirtyestsoul · 21/04/2019 09:33

I hope you are ok, good luck at a and e

endofthelinefinally · 21/04/2019 09:38

DVT is a very real risk when in a cast. Often happens in the other leg, but could occur in either. I thought it was policy to give people in casts clot preventing medication these days, but sometimes policies aren't implemented.
Hope A&E organise a scan.

NicoAndTheNiners · 21/04/2019 09:51

It's a Bh weekend. I work at the hospital and I know that for inpatients a VQ scan can take days to organise. I imagine they will give me therapeutic clexane and I will go on a waiting list for a scan.....hopefully as an outpatient not an inpatient.

Or they may just tell me it's muscle pain!

OP posts:

NicoAndTheNiners · 21/04/2019 09:52

They didn't even give me any advice about wiggling my toes/mobilising.

OP posts:

NicoAndTheNiners · 21/04/2019 23:59

I've got a clot. 😪

OP posts:

TheoriginalLEM · 22/04/2019 00:25

Ahh pants OP. The good thing is you have caught it - what are they going to do?

NicoAndTheNiners · 22/04/2019 01:05

I've had an injection tonight.

I have to go back to hospital next week for a scan. To see the clot. So far I've just had a positive blood test for a clot. Daily injections until I get my scan.

I'm on a half dose of injections to stop the clot spreading. But not a big enough dose to break it down apparantly. They will increase the dose after the scan and be on injections long term.

They've removed the cast.

I feel like I have a ticking time bomb in my leg which might kill me any minute!

OP posts:

CrotchetyQuaver · 22/04/2019 01:35

glad you're in the system OP, fingers crossed for you that it breaks down

endofthelinefinally · 22/04/2019 06:02

Honestly OP. This is shocking. I hope they report this as a preventable event. I am sure the NICE guidelines were amended years ago to include anyone in a leg cast for thromboprophylaxis. Thank goodness you went to A&E.
Please, if you get any chest pain or a cough go straight back.

endofthelinefinally · 22/04/2019 06:03

And you should be on a full dose.Speak to your GP today.

NicoAndTheNiners · 22/04/2019 06:41

I'm really scared. I can't stop crying.

And the pain in my leg is intense, will this get better?

OP posts:

NicoAndTheNiners · 22/04/2019 06:42

I'm on 120 of something, possibly clexane?

OP posts:

NicoAndTheNiners · 22/04/2019 06:43

And do you know where I'd find the nice guidelines?

OP posts:

Windygate · 22/04/2019 07:07

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng89

I think this might help with guidelines. I'm shocked at the lack of guidance you seem to have been given. My DSis was in a below knee cast last year, she came home with six weeks of blood thinning injections and loads of advice re toe wiggling etc. DH had abdominal surgery and was put on six weeks of injections alongside antibiotics and elastic stockings. He was very poorly so I was given a strict timetable to follow to mobilise him. Heck my DM broke her elbow recently and as her already poor mobility was even more compromised she was on the injections for a couple of months and then a blood thinning tablet.

You seem to be in a lot of pain, personally I'd go back to A&E now. You've been given shocking advice and two days in bed hasn't helped. Hope you get some relief from the pain soon.

endofthelinefinally · 22/04/2019 07:26

Sorry OP. I just came back to this.
It sounds as if whoever you saw in A&E was probably very junior and doesn't have the necessary knowledge.
I agree with Windygate that you should go back.
Are you on the pill by any chance? If so, that is a big risk factor for clots.
The protocol is always to treat until the absence of a clot is proven.
I mentioned GP but now I am properly awake I remember it is a bank holiday.

fishesgirl · 22/04/2019 07:43

If it’s 120mg clexane that’s likely to be a treatment dose-would be for an 80kg person.
The treatment doesn’t break down the clot, prevents it from spreading to the lungs. Clot breaks down itself over time.

NicoAndTheNiners · 22/04/2019 07:54

It was a consultant I saw in a&e!

Just not sure of whether I'm safe now from it spreading after only one injection or if it takes a few to get me in the safe zone.

OP posts:

MontStMichel · 22/04/2019 08:06

I had a below the knee cast for a week for a broken fibula in A & E. I was given 6 weeks of blood thinning injections, until the 6 week appointment. They also explained the symptoms of DVT and compartment syndrome. I was told to not to weight bear on that leg at all and to use a Zimmer frame. They said to wiggle my toes; but not advised to mobilise - rather I was told to rest, keep it elevated, and the family were told to do all the cooking and shopping...I was in far too much pain to move off the settee except to go to the toilet and even then, I deliberately did not drink a lot to make sure I was not up all night!

I did get terrible cramps in my calf and thigh, but no warmth - they said it was due to not walking, the unnatural position and the weight of the cast.

After the first week, they took the plaster off and gave me a walking boot with crutches. I was told I could walk for 5 minutes here and there in doors, but to stop when it got painful (which is after 5 minutes). They said there is no hard and fast rule about how much to walk, except stop when it gets painful.

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DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 22/04/2019 08:15

I had blood thinning injections all the time I was in a cast and that was years and years ago,I thought it was just standard! Poor you OP

Heaviestdirtyestsoul · 22/04/2019 08:49

Bless you, that must be so painful and worrying hoping it's sorted out nice and quickly for you, all the best xx

endofthelinefinally · 23/04/2019 15:10

How are you today Nico?

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