Swollen foot & ankle?

[Pep]

I'm 28 years sp c7-c8 inc. Rehabbed out of SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER. I'm in excellent condition, and I've never had a blod clot before. Over the years I have had occassional swelling. My left foot and ankle have been swollen off and on for 3 weeks. I live in Shasta County, CA were it's been 100+ degrees for 3 weeks. I'm active and spend 12+ hours in my chair. In the morning(s) the swelling is not as bad.

Any suggestions. I know about circulation, fluid intake, etc. (Been a c7-c8 29 years). Just not sure what's going on. My wife is all over me about going to see a MD. Any suggestions. I don't know of any SCI specialists in my area (Redding, CA). But I made an appt. to see a GP tomorrow. Any advice?

Thank you.

[Wise Young]

Originally Posted by Pep

I'm 28 years sp c7-c8 inc. Rehabbed out of SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER. I'm in excellent condition, and I've never had a blod clot before. Over the years I have had occassional swelling. My left foot and ankle have been swollen off and on for 3 weeks. I live in Shasta County, CA were it's been 100+ degrees for 3 weeks. I'm active and spend 12+ hours in my chair. In the morning(s) the swelling is not as bad.

Any suggestions. I know about circulation, fluid intake, etc. (Been a c7-c8 29 years). Just not sure what's going on. My wife is all over me about going to see a MD. Any suggestions. I don't know of any SCI specialists in my area (Redding, CA). But I made an appt. to see a GP tomorrow. Any advice?

Thank you.

Pep, you should go see your GP if that is the only doctor that you can see. You may find the following article useful to read http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic122.htm

What your doctor may do is:
1. Order a D-dimer fibrin test which would be consistent with clot formation.
2. Depending on his/her suspicion level, your doctor may order imaging tests. As the article states: "Diagnosing DVT and committing patients to the risks of anticoagulation therapy without confirmatory objective testing is unacceptable." Ultrasound is probably the best.
3. If the tests are positive, you will probably get anti-coagulation and compression stockings.

Note: as KLD has frequently pointed out, it is not a good idea to massage the leg because this may dislodge the clot.

Wise.

[SCI-Nurse]

I would second what Dr. Young said above. The first step is to get tested IMMEDIATELY for possible DVT. Do not delay. A pulmonary embolus (PE) can be immediately fatal. Any competent physician should be able to order the tests that Dr. Young mentioned above (a Doppler study is commonly done if the local lab cannot do a D-dimer fibrin test quickly.

If a DVT is ruled out, then other possible causes (esp. in the left leg) are chronic problems with constipation, and a leg bag strap that is too tight.

(KLD)

[Max]

Patients Benefit From Blood Clot Research

Australian traveller's will likely be a part of the study under auspicious of the World Health Organisation to identify ways to minimise the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT, a blood clot deep in the vein usually the leg) during long haul flights.

The study plans to involve 30,000 people worldwide and will contribute to significant advances in understanding travel related DVT and its prevention.

Professor Harry Bьller from the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam together with Professor Frits Rosendaal from the University Hospital in Leiden, will set up this study in collaboration with many scientists, including colleagues from Australia.

DVT is just one form of blood clot, pulmonary embolism is another, being a clot dislodged to the lung. Blood clots affect 2-4 in 1000 people each year. Blood clots can be caused by immobilisation from long flights and after surgery; chemo/radiotheraphy; giving birth; and from oestrogen contained in birth control pills.

"We already have made important advances in the diagnosis and treatment of DVT and other types of blood clots. Blood clots can now be diagnosed within 3 hours by non invasive testing. Invasive and rigorous testing are a thing of the past", Professor Bьller said.

Over the past decade, Professor Bьller has seen a major shift in the treatment of patients diagnosed with blood clots. Approximately 90% of patients can be treated outside of hospital due to the advancement of simple self administering modes of drug delivery rather than 10-14 day hospital stays where treatment was administered intravenously

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0810135115.htm