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Original poster

Really swollen leg...should I ring 111 or wait until tomorrow?

28 replies

LE89 · 03/12/2013 19:24

I was walking yesterday and got a sharp pain in my right ankle and then struggled to walk on my left foot...similar to when you twist your ankle but much worse (and I hadn't twisted it!)

I rested up all night with an ice pack and took paracetamol & ibuprofen but this morning it was really stiff. Over the course of the day, my foot/ankle became more and more swollen and it has now spread up my calf (the muscle now feels similar to when you get cramp) and starting to go into my thigh.

I have been to the chemist and they advised to raise leg and to use a support bandage on my ankle, which I have been doing for the last few hours but it has not improved and my right leg is now significantly colder than the left and I am starting to worry that this is more than the sprain which I initially thought it was (but then I am a bit of a hypochondriac!)...has anyone had anything similar to this? And would you ring the 111 out of hours service or just wait until the doctors open again tomorrow?

OP posts:
Rooners · 03/12/2013 19:26

I would go to A&E and ask them to investigate.

rubyslippers · 03/12/2013 19:27

get yourself to A & E

could be a DVT - the pain is spreading as is the swelling therefore it is getting worse

don't mess about - even if it is broken or ligament damage i think you need to get proper, real life medical advice

notapizzaeater · 03/12/2013 19:27

I'd go to a and e just to be sure.

AmandinePoulain · 03/12/2013 19:27

You need A&E - you need to rule out a DVT.

Good luck

Rooners · 03/12/2013 19:27

I am worried about DVT though can't work out exactly what has happened...is the left or right swollen?

rubyslippers · 03/12/2013 19:28

DVT pain is similar to cramp IME

3littlefrogs · 03/12/2013 19:28

It needs looking at now. Is there a walk in centre near you?

TwerkingNineToFive · 03/12/2013 19:29

Yes you should ring 111 or go to a and e better safe than sorry.

Original poster
LE89 · 03/12/2013 19:29

Right is swollen... Sorry if I sound a bit stupid but I thought people only got DVT when they had been on a plane!?

OP posts:
MoreThanChristmasCrackers · 03/12/2013 19:30

OP, you need to go to A&E immediately.
I had a completely different set of problems to you but was told if ever any swelling travels up your leg to go immediately.
Sorry, don't want to worry you I'm sure you'll be fine, but your leg needs treatment asap.

ggirl · 03/12/2013 19:30

I would ring 111 but they will prob direct you to a&e as you have symptoms of DVT .

tribpot · 03/12/2013 19:31

Do you live anywhere near a Minor Injuries Unit? Our one is very good and you could be in and out in half an hour, having had an x-ray done.

Other than that, I would definitely phone 111. If it was hotter, I would assume increased blood flow to the site of the injury but colder doesn't sound good. Patient.co.uk has a good page on sprained ankles (try not to read it with a hypochondriac hat on) - is the leg numb as well as cold?

rubyslippers · 03/12/2013 19:32

i had a spontaneous DVT

it happens

go to A & E

Rooners · 03/12/2013 19:32

Have you got someone to take you?

revivingshower · 03/12/2013 21:30

I phoned 111 the other day they were helpful in my case but they passed me to a dr who didn't come out even though he said he would so I had to ring back again and this ended up taking all night. I rang at about 10pm and dr ended up coming at 5am.

princessalbert · 03/12/2013 21:44

A & E.

I have had two DVTs and I didn't get horrendously swollen legs (mine are pretty chunky anyway) - but the pain was like a long lasting cramp.

Of course, it may not be that.l But please just go and get checked out.

Ubik1 · 03/12/2013 21:46

Phone 111 - they'll advise

ShriekingGnawer · 03/12/2013 21:58

Hope you're ok, OP.

Ohhelpohnoitsa · 03/12/2013 22:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

QOD · 03/12/2013 22:18

What news?

tribpot · 04/12/2013 07:12

Hope OP's doing okay today.

rubyslippers · 04/12/2013 19:16

Just checking to see how OP is too

hugoagogo · 04/12/2013 19:31

It can happen at any time, to my DM a couple of times. Please get it checked out.

hugoagogo · 04/12/2013 19:33

note to self-look at date. Blush

Original poster
LE89 · 04/12/2013 21:26

Hi everyone, thanks for responses Smile
Good news...doctors checked everything out and has said that its a really bad sprain so just got to keep it elevated, ice pack, etc etc so hopefully will be better soon!

OP posts: