Meniscus :
leg pain...blood clot? - - Posted by shoegirl (shoegirl), 10 November 2004
Has anyone had experience with a blood clot in the calf? (post surgery)
I've had presistent pain along the back side of my leg/calf area, feels like a constant charlie horse/cramp. It's subsiding a tiny bit, but not enough to make me stop wondering.
An ultrasound showed no sign of a blood clot.
My os told me to update him on the pain and see if time will remedy it...but I'm not a very patient, patient 
Any thoughts or experiences with this would be helpful to read.
thanks 
Posted by Amanda (Amanda), 10 November 2004
Can you describe the pain more? Burning, tingling, aching, sharp, etc? I have ongoing calf pain as I have common peroneal nerve irritation from a previous arthroscopy. My calf muscle is very sore to massage also. I take Neurontin for the nerve pain. Hope this helps.
Posted by shoegirl (shoegirl), 10 November 2004
Amanda,
The pain I'm experiencing is like a constant cramp. It's tight, and hurts when I point my toes. Fairly sharp, and aching would describe it too.
I'm not familiar with peroneal nerve irritaion that you had mentioned. How did the arthroscopy cause that and will it go away over time?
I'm interested to know.
Thanks!
Posted by Amanda (Amanda), 10 November 2004
Mine doesnt feel like a cramp. The nerve that is irritatied for me is the 'common peroneal nerve' which is runs down behind the knee and then around the lateral side of the knee and down the front. I have been told that it is irritated by scar tissue. Not sure about yours though. Could you have torn a muscle? How long ago did you have surgery? And what for? My OS told me when we were trying to figure out why I had calf pain that sometimes you can get sore/tight muscles there after surgery. Manda
Posted by shoegirl (shoegirl), 10 November 2004
Surgery was 13 days ago for a lateral meniscus removal. They only removed about 10%, which is pretty minimal compared to others I've read about.
Tight muscles might be what it is, considering that the leg (knee) is healing from surgery. I'm going to give it more time and see if it subsides.
Good luck w/ your upcoming surgery.
Posted by camper (camper), 10 November 2004
I had experience with a blood clot after my surgery. It is not something that you want to mess around with. The discomfort is like a deep ache. It lessens when you elevate the leg and becomes more uncomfortable when you are upright. As it worsens the area may become red and hot to the touch (although don't use this to rule it out, as I didn't have this symptom). If you continue to be concerned- call your doctor. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
Posted by IslandGirl (IslandGirl), 11 November 2004
I suffer from varicose veins, and I was wondering if the surgery for the meniscus and cyst will affect my veins. Anyone knows? I'm so afraid of a blood clot 
Posted by hmaxwell (Heather M.), 11 November 2004
Island Girl,
For me, surgery has worsened the slight issues I have with varicose veins. I don't actually have the textured, distended veins. I have tiny flashes of purple on my leg from small ruptured capillaries--there are always more of these after my surgeries because of the swelling (I'm told). For me, it's a minor cosmetic issue. For true varicose veins I don't know what the impact would be, but I'd imagine that the swelling that results from surgery can't be real good....
Heather
Posted by Amanda (Amanda), 17 November 2004
Wow, would you beleive that after answering this post regarding blood clots, now after my surgery on Friday now I have a blood clot?!!! Arghhh. Went for my check up and told my OS that I had developed a very sore calf muscle when I walked or any other movement using my calf. He sent me for an ultrasound and they found a 3 cm blood clot (non occlusive)! Anyway, I am not having specific DVT treatment as of yet. I have been told to take half an asprin daily, stop the pill, not to commence physio, and to have another ultrasound in a week. If it isnt gone or is bigger then I will have to start treatment (injections etc). And my calf hurts more than my knee!!!
Posted by shoegirl (shoegirl), 17 November 2004
Amanda,
I'm so sorry to hear you have a clot. The pain you describe sounds exactly like the pain that I experienced, however, mine has since gone away.
Maybe the asprin will help, I took it too.
I hope you don't have to undergo treatments when they re-check your leg. 
I found relief in using a heating pad under my calf. Besides that, rest and staying off of it were the only things that made me happy.
Take care,
Shoegirl
Posted by Amanda (Amanda), 20 November 2004
Hi Shoegirl
I rekon that you probably had a blood clot, but they didn't find it. It took them ages to find mine and when they did it wasn't where DVTs develop it was some other calf vein. Anyway, as long as it is gone now! Mine is slowly going away, I can walk without it killing me now. If I bring my toes up towards me I can still feel a some of the pain. But it is going away thank god!!! How are you recovering otherwise?
Amanda
Posted by shoegirl (shoegirl), 20 November 2004
Glad to hear that you're getting better!!
Like you, I was able to start walking (after quite a few days) and the pain described when bringing your toes up.....same for me. I think you're right, I probably did have a clot...maybe a small one.
Generally speaking, recovery is going well. My knee still hurts when I stand & move around after sitting for awhile.
I'm really not sure when to expect to be pain-free. I'm sure it will take a couple months 
Take care,
Shoegirl
Posted by shoegirl (shoegirl), 20 November 2004
Amanda,
I meant to ask you if you're still taking apsprin?
I stopped taking it after I began to feel relief and didn't see the need to continue.
Just wondering
Posted by Amanda (Amanda), 20 November 2004
hey shoegirl
thanks for your thought. yes i am still taking asprin (i am actually taking cartia which is asprin with a special coating on it for your tummy, and it is half the dose of an asprin, and releases more slowly). i will keep taking it till i see the dr on monday and will ask her. i am hoping i wont need to have another ultrasound as they are so darn expensive!! hopefully since the pain should be completely gone by then she won't think its necessary. so are yu doing physio? they say it takes 6 weeks to recover, but i rekon it takes about 2 months if everything with the meniscus is well. my meniscus has remaining problems, so i am not sure if i will recover completely. take care.
Posted by Amanda (Amanda), 23 November 2004
Just thought I'd update on my blood clot situation. Went to my GP on Monday. She still wants me to have an ultrasound on Friday despite the pain having gone away. Just to make sure. She wants me to take the low does asprin for 6 months! And she recommends that I stay off the pill permanently. She recommended that I try Depo Provera (3 month contraception injection). I have done a search on the web and there seems to be a lot of bad reports. Has anyone here tried it/is on it?
Posted by shoegirl (shoegirl), 24 November 2004
Amanda,
Wow, sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now I hope the ultrasound proves to be good. Better to play it safe!
Hopefully 6 months on asprin will prevent any recurrance of clotting.
Yes, I am doing phys therapy, 2x in the office and at my gym on the off days. I'm anxious to be rid of the pain and aches. I agree with you about it taking upwards of 2 months...since this is my 1st knee surgery, I just don't know what to expect.
Yes, I was on Depo Provera many years ago. The convenience was great, but I developed a couple cysts while I was on it. I'm not certain that the Depo was related to the cysts, but after 15 months I stoppped the injections & switched to the pill.
I know that there are some questionable reports on it, but every'body' is different and who knows....it might work out fine for you.
Good luck at your ultrasound Friday and have a nice Thanksgiving! 
Shoegirl
Posted by shoegirl (shoegirl), 24 November 2004
tyty
Posted by shoegirl (shoegirl), 24 November 2004
sorry, my daughter got to the keyboard on the last post! 
Amanda, (or anyone else) I meant to ask you what your experience with phys therapy has been like. I'm wondering when to expect the ability to get back to normal fitness routines and/or duration of therapy.
Thanks!
Posted by Amanda (Amanda), 27 November 2004
Just thought I would give you an update on how my blood clot is going. Well I had my followup ultrasound yesterday. Turns out the clot is still there and has grown from 3cm to 5cm. Even though the pain has gone...So on Monday I see a physican about it for treatment. Lets just hope nothing happens to me between today (sat) and monday. Not very happy atm...
Posted by Mcat33 (Mcat33), 28 November 2004
Hi Amanda,
I'm sorry to hear that your blood clot grew in cm. and you might need treatment 
Also sorry I haven't had a chance to reply to your last message but, I'll fill you in o how I'm doing. My knee itself is feeling great except when I walk to much and over do it. My phsical therapist says my leg is doing great after 2 weeks and I only have to go for 2 more weeks ... yay The infection in my one incision was clearing up nicely but, then I had heat at pt and it has come back... antibiotic is almost gone so, need to call Dr. on Monday to see what to do but, other incision looks good. I will keep you in my prayers that you are ok and the clot is taken care of !! Take care of yourself and keep us posted.
Michelle
Posted by Amanda (Amanda), 29 November 2004
Michelle
I am glad your knee is doing so well.
Well today I heard from the physician and he did not recommend that I have blood thinning treatment. So I am now wearing a compression stocking and what I was doing before. Atleast I wont be on the blood thinners over xmas as you are not meant to drink when taking it.
I am hoping it will go away soon!
Posted by Amanda (Amanda), 13 December 2004
YAY! My blood clot has gone!!! Had an ultrasound today and it has gone! YAY! No more compression stocking, and no need for blood thinners! I can start physio now! Four weeks after my surgery!!!
Posted by blackbeltgirl (blackbeltgirl), 14 December 2004
Thank you all for posting. I have a sore spot in my calf, that I thought was a sore muscle from all the exercises I've been doing. But I can't seem to hit that spot when I stretch, when I touch it it doesn't feel like a sore muscle, more like a soft bruise, and I am most aware of it when walking.
I had started wondering if it might be a blood clot, so the first thing I did this morning was get back online, and read this thread. I am going to call my doctor this morning. (Especially since I was supposed to fly for NY, what a nightmare that could be with a clot).
I hope you're all doing well. Just wanted to thank you for some truly useful info.
Posted by Nellie (Nellie), 17 January 2005
I had arthoscopic meniscectomy on left knee Dec 17. Level 9 pain in calf developed 3 days post op, but was undiagnosed because it was Christmas and then New years vacations for all the docs in the UNiversity. Finally back up resident in hospital across town recommend a vascular scan of my leg...bingo. There was the clot in my left calf. Have been on vigorous anti-coagulation therapy (lovenox and coumadin). Had a second vascular scan Still have clot, but pain in calf is not bad..the pain seems to have gone to knee.
Now my knee is almost unbearable. At time of sugery Grade 4 chondromalacia was found in about 50% of medial femoral condyle and medial tibial plateau, femoral groove. Grade 3 chondromalcia was found on 25% of patella. The patellofemoral joint had much synovitis. There was signigficant degenerative changr of the meimal compartment with grad 4 changes and a thin artiuclar cartilage, 50%. The medial meniscus posterior third had degenerative tears and multiple flap tears which were debrided piecemeal
Does that desciption of the original pathology explain why I am in so much pain?.
I was doing better, but the pain is severe..especially after I lie down. Why does it hurt so much when finished activity? Going down stairs is extremely difficult. It really is PAIN, PAIN, PAIN.. On a scale of 1-10 it is an 8-9
And as a disclaimer I have had 8 herniated discs, broken back and neck
with fusions from L1-S1 and C4-C7 so I have experienced lots of pain and slow recovery. But I am now in more pain in my knee than I ever had in any of the back procedures after 3.5 weeks.
Should I be in this much pain after meniscus surgery? Isn't this surgery
the weiniest of all?? I feel like a wimp, but there is a side of me that says that something just ain't quite right. But I don't want to whine if this is the normal recovery. Unfortunately because of permanent nerve damage the thigh muscles have atrophied..
Any help or suggestions on thrombosis or excessive pain is welcome.
Thank you.
L
Updated Thu Aug 21 2008