Symptoms · After an operation
Calf pain or swelling after an operation
The short answer
Pain, swelling, warmth or redness in one calf after an operation can be a blood clot in a leg vein (deep vein thrombosis, DVT). A clot can travel to the lungs, which is an emergency. Go to the emergency room the same day for a painful, swollen calf. Call an ambulance straight away for sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, a fast heartbeat or coughing blood.
How patients describe it
- My calf is swollen and sore
- One leg is bigger than the other
- A hot, tight calf
- Pain when I flex my foot
- Breathless after the operation
Go to the emergency room now if you have
- Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- A fast heartbeat, or fainting
- One leg swollen, painful, warm or red
- Both legs swollen together with breathlessness
What can cause it
A blood clot in a leg vein (DVT)
One calf that is swollen, painful, warm or red, often a few days to weeks after an operation.
Next step: Go to the emergency room the same day for an ultrasound scan of the leg.
A clot that has reached the lung
Sudden breathlessness, chest pain, a fast heartbeat or coughing blood.
Next step: Call an ambulance now.
Muscle strain or cramp
A tight, sore calf after activity, without swelling or warmth.
Next step: Gentle stretching and walking; see a doctor if it is not clearly a cramp.
Swelling of both legs
Both ankles swell, often worse in the evening, from fluid, the heart, the kidneys or low protein.
Next step: See a doctor.
Skin infection (cellulitis)
A red, hot, tender area of skin, often with fever.
Next step: See a doctor the same day.
What you can do now
- Walk as soon as you are allowed, and as often as your team advises
- Drink enough fluids
- Take the preventive injections if you were prescribed them
- Do not massage the calf if you think it might be a clot
- Avoid sitting or standing still for long hours
Tests your doctor may order
- An ultrasound scan of the leg veins
- A blood test (D-dimer)
- A CT scan of the lungs if a clot in the lung is suspected
When is surgery needed?
- A clot is treated with blood-thinning medicine, not with surgery, in almost all cases.
- Prevention in our hospital includes early walking, enough fluids and, in selected cases, preventive injections for 7–10 days after surgery.
Questions people ask
Is every sore calf a clot?
No. A cramp or strained muscle is more common, but a swollen, warm calf on one side after an operation must be checked the same day.
How is a clot treated?
With blood-thinning medicine, usually for several months. Your doctor will explain.
Can it be prevented?
Often. Early walking, drinking enough fluids and, in selected cases, preventive injections after surgery lower the risk.
This page gives general information and does not replace the advice of your treating team. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room.