As per Dr Sood, One-sided calf pain after a long flight is one of those symptoms you should think twice about before massaging. Most of the time, a sore calf after travelling is nothing serious
As per Dr Sood, “One-sided calf pain after a long flight is one of those symptoms you should think twice about before massaging. Most of the time, a sore calf after travelling is nothing serious. But after hours of sitting on a plane, one concern is a condition called deep vein thrombosis or DVT.”
He went on to explain the condition, stating that during prolonged periods of immobility, blood flow in the legs slows down. This can increase the chance of the formation of a blood clot, and the condition is known as DVT.
“The challenge is that a DVT can sometimes feel surprising. very similar to a muscle strain,” highlighted Dr Sood. The symptoms of the condition may include:
If a person massages a leg with a blood clot in it, chances are the clot can break away and reach the lungs, creating a medical emergency.
In the words of Dr Sood, “The reason doctors worry about massage is that if a clot is present, there is concern that part of it could break loose and travel to the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism, and it can make it difficult for blood to pick up oxygen in the lungs.”
“It can become a medical emergency, which is why new calf pain and swelling after a long flight is usually something to get evaluated rather than trying to massage, stretch, or walk off,” he added.
The good news, according to the physician, is that the overall risk of developing DVT remains low for most travellers. And simple measures followed during long trips can help keep the blood flowing and lower it even further.
These measures include staying hydrated, moving the legs regularly, and walking periodically.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
Debapriya Bhattacharya is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times. He started his career in 2022, working in newsrooms in beats like education, US news, trending stories, and entertainment. In his new role in the lifestyle desk, he seeks to deliver a balanced blend of research-driven reporting and creative storytelling from health and recipes to art and culture. Science, philosophy, food and pop culture are what pump his veins and help bring heart to his stories. Debapriya tries to see out subjects that will allow him and readers to explore new frontiers and improve the quality of life for all. The explorations can be both external and internal, as thoughts seek to be as chaotic as the greater universe. As a citizen of the world, Debapriya has been fascinated by the lives of people across the globe throughout time. His curiosity leads him to explore new linguistic and cultural landscapes to broaden his horizons and deepen his understanding of global narratives. Beyond the newsroom, Debapriya loves to participate in debate and theatre, spaces that he considers to be holy grounds for nuance and self-expression. A graduate from Ashutosh College, University of Calcutta, Debapriya completed his Master's degree from the same university in 2022. An ambiverted bibliophile, he loves his solitude as much as he adores stimulating conversations. And despite his reverence for tech, libraries continue to be his favourite place for research.Read More