DVT in calf or am I just over reacting?

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I started with awful cramp in my calf 2 weeks ago which kept waking me up during the day(i was on night shifts), a couple of days later I developed a bruise, I don’t bruise very easily so doubt this would have been a small unnoticed knock to the leg.
I went to the doctors on 19th May and she asked lots of questions relating to dvt, she did a d-dimer test and ruled it as negative(which I’m questioning) and said I must have just banged my leg.
My main concern is it’s now 2 weeks ago since the bruise developed and it’s just not going, the outer edge seemed to go through the whole healing process and turned yellow(last phase) but the rest of the bruise is just not fading, if anything it’s getting darker.
Just wanting some opinions please before I end up going back to the doctors.

I'm not a doctor, but to me it seems unlikely to be a DVT because:
DVT stands for deep* vein thrombosis, ie a thrombosis/clot in a vessel deep within the leg, not superficial like this

• if you have a DVT, the affected calf is typically red (over a large area), hot to the touch, and tender, with taught, shiny skin
• you have already seen your GP and had d-dimers done, which were negative

I think you must have banged your leg. I never know how I've got my bruises either!

Deep vein thrombosis of the calf are generally at the back of the leg, not the side.
Looks like a bruise from a knock in the photo that you have provided.

Are you saying you don't believe that the d-dimer was negative?
And what is the significance of the lateral flow test in regard to your query?

Have you walked into an open dishwasher door? I do it a lot and often have bruises like that on my shin or the side of my calf.

It looks like a bike pedal bruise, have you been riding a bike?

Usually DVT is accompanied by swelling, looking pink/hot rather than like a bruise. If you get other symptoms of DVT though, contact a doctor: www.nhs.uk/conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis-dvt/.

I have no idea, but you’re clearly worried so have a chat with your doctor.

Thank you all for replying!

Sorry I don’t know if there was a misunderstanding, that isn’t a lateral flow test, it’s a d-dimer test, I’m pretty certain I can see a second line on it and was asking opinions on that.
I know what dvt is and I’m aware of your typical symptoms but I’m also aware that not everyone presents with typical symptoms.

I don’t ride a bike or have a dishwasher, I’m pretty adamant I haven’t banged it but then again there is always that possibility.

After the cramping this appeared before getting out of bed, started red, turned bluer and then resulted in this, my whole calf hurt and it was painful to bear weight, also very tender to touch.
There isn’t much pain now just the bruising left, my doctor said if it’s not gone in two weeks to go back which I will be doing after the weekend.
Xx

That bruise looks like it's going to me. I have a long history of mystery bruises.

Well it looks like a bruise to me but I’m no doctor. I definitely see a 2nd line though so I would be on the phone to 111 already if it was me.

Have you measured your calf's?

That d dimer test isn’t necessarily like a pregnancy test where any line is a positive. It’s likely that the test line needs to be darker than the control to be positive.

Again also not a doctor. However a bruise will show up 2 days after an injury. I had a circular one like that a while ago, no idea how it got there, and it was quite dark for a while. Eventually went but it took a month.

If you are worried though, get it checked again.

Can you google Well’s score for DVT and check your score. d-dimmer is not a stand alone diagnosis and is usually used with other signs and symptoms. Measure your calf and keep an eye if it gets red or hot.

It includes wells score in this flow chart from the BMJ

www.bmj.com/content/bmj/suppl/2018/02/22/bmj.k351.DC1/DVT_infographic.pdf

I’ve had a D dimer test when it turned out I had a pulmonary embolism. It was taken as a blood test from a vein and certainly never saw the result in a test like that. I was just told the result. I’m really intrigued by that test you’ve pictured, I wasn’t aware that was how they did that test and I was certainly not aware that they gave you the used test to keep

Once again thank you for the continued replies, if things get worse I will definitely get checked out ASAP, I’ve measured my calf’s this evening and there isn’t a difference so that’s a good sign.
I wasn’t aware of the wells score so will take a look at that, thanks.
As for the d-dimer test @SmidgenofaPigeon it is a test which is used in a doctors surgery, it involved the doctor taking blood from my finger and dropping it in the test area along with a liquid, she then left me in the room with the test for 15 minutes (the time the test should be read at) which is when I took the photo, I wasn’t given the test to take home.
Xx

Seems there’s different styles but they’re definitely little cassettes that are used to test for clots x

If you read the bmj link and the wells criteria, it says the dime test is only part of a diagnosis, as a positive result can mean other things.

A calf muscle tear would present with a bruise and pain like that. A very forceful cramp could cause it

I know this has been a while but what ever ended up happening if you don’t mind sharing? I’m dealing with something super similar.