Venous thrombosis, or blood clot formation, can occur anywhere in the body but may be more common in the back of your leg. If early blood clots are not recognized and treated as soon as possible, an unfavorable prognosis may occur. Fortunately, blood clots are highly treatable. You will, however, need to know what to look for so that you can seek prompt medical evaluation at your nearest hospital or urgent care center. Here are three telltale signs of a venous thrombosis and how your primary care medical center can help you.

Severe Pain

One of the most common symptoms of a blood clot in your leg is severe pain. While the pain can be constant, even at rest, it may be more pronounced when you flex your foot. If you develop severe pain in your calf that worsens upon foot flexing, visit an urgent care, such as Alaska Urgent Care LLC. The urgent care center physician will examine your leg to determine the source of your pain so that he or she can develop an effective plan of care. Additionally, an ultrasound study will also be done to evaluate the circulation in your leg and to see if your blood flow is impeded. 

Redness

Another common manifestation of a venous thrombosis in your leg is redness. The redness may appear only in a localized area behind your calf. Alternatively, the redness may be diffuse, covering a large portion of the posterior leg. In addition to redness or other discoloration, the skin over the affected area may look taut and shiny. This is usually the result of swelling and stretching of the skin.

Red, shiny skin on the back of the leg is an ominous sign that needs to be evaluated quickly. If left untreated, a blood clot can break off into your circulation and travel to your heart and lungs. If the medical staff determines that you have a blood clot in your leg, your primary care physician may order a medication that will break up the clot so that it dissolves back into your bloodstream.

Warmth

Warmth or an elevated temperature is another telltale sign of a blood clot behind your leg. While an increased temperature behind your leg may not be significant if there are no other symptoms, when accompanied by pain and redness, you'll need to seek medical attention right away.

The warmth may also be related to an infection that has developed because of a clot or poor circulation. In severe cases, venous thrombosis may cause ulcers or other wounds on the skin because of poor circulation. If you have an infection because of a blood clot, the urgent care doctor may order antibiotics. While antibiotic treatment will not treat the blood clot, it may prevent extensive tissue damage.

If you develop any of the above symptoms, seek emergency medical care at the nearest urgent care facility. The sooner symptoms of a blood clot are evaluated and managed, the less likely you will be to experience complications such as breathing problems, cardiovascular problems, and tissue damage.