There many potential reasons why that your leg hurts. But if there is no mechanism of injury or trauma to the involved leg you should be concerned. You may have a deep venous thrombosis (DVT). This refers to a blood clot embedded in one of the major deep veins of the lower legs, thighs, or pelvis. A clot blocks blood circulation through these veins, which carries blood from the lower body back to the heart. The blockage can cause pain, swelling, or warmth in the affected leg. Blood clots in the veins can cause inflammation called thrombophlebitis. Severe complications of deep vein thrombosis occur when a clot breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream, causing blockage of blood vessels in the lung. Called pulmonary embolism, this can lead to severe difficulty in breathing and even death, depending on the degree of blockage.
In the United States, about 2 million people per year develop deep vein thrombosis. Most of them are aged 40 years or older. Up to 600,000 are hospitalized each year for the condition. Deep vein thrombosis can lead to a more serious complication; blood clots in the lung (pulmonary embolism). Statistics reveal that at least 650,000 persons die each year from a pulmonary embolism, making it the third most common cause of death in the United States.
People who sit for long periods of time on a regular basis have a two-to- threefold increased risk of developing a potentially deadly blood clot in their lungs.
Sudden shortness of breath, severe chest pain and coughing that may produce blood are among the symptoms of pulmonary embolism, in addition to excessive sweating, fainting and weak pulse.
For instance, Olympic athletes who took trips from Europe to Australia were found to have deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Recently, tennis star and fashion mogul, Venus Williams, had pulmonary embolism. This goes to show it does not matter the condition of health you are in, you still could be susceptible to a DVT.
It is recommended that one take a baby aspirin before long-haul travels described as lasting more than eight hours. Certainly it is recommended to at least get up and walk around the aircraft cabin and do calf muscle exercises on a regular basis while traveling.
This is no joke. If you have leg pain, the most important thing you can do is schedule an appointment at Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center, LLP with locations in Howell, Edison, and Monroe NJ. We have the latest diagnostic tools to diagnose your conditions including a potential deadly DVT.