Thrombosis above the knee? I am abroad and urgently request help!
For 2 weeks now I have been in the Philippines (flight in business class, almost always with legs raised or fully stretched out, drinking a lot, but no heparin injections or travel stockings).
2 days after my arrival, I slightly bruised my tailbone when I hit a pothole while riding a motorcycle (no fall, just a strong jolt). On the same day, I hit my right knee hard on the outside, resulting in a bruise (diameter just under 10 centimeters), the remnants of which are still faintly visible.
Shortly after that, I experienced pain in the thigh, directly above the bruise, mainly in an area about the size of a hand directly above the bruise. The painful area extends from the middle of the front side, over the side of the thigh, up to about 10 centimeters below the hip.
The pain varies: mostly burning, sometimes (strongly) stabbing or twitching. Initially, it only occurred after prolonged standing or sitting, later also while walking, then it was constantly present, even when lying down. At times, it was so intense that I couldn't turn onto my right side. However, that has improved now. I can lie on my right side again without pain. The pain still occurs when walking, especially when standing and sitting. After prolonged standing or sitting, the pain also occurs when lying down, mostly as a stabbing sensation. However, it goes away after some time.
Sometimes, while lying down, I had no pain and suddenly it starts to sting vigorously without changing position, etc. It lasts for about 15-20 minutes and then goes away.
The painful area is slightly swollen, but not discolored and does not feel warmer. In a clearly defined area about 10 centimeters above the "main spot," there are several spider veins visible, which appeared 2-3 days after the onset of the pain. They all run from bottom to top, and the area where the spider veins appeared is about 15x5 centimeters and runs horizontally across the thigh.
Additionally, the painful area is numb. It is not consistent everywhere, with the strongest numbness at the "main spot" directly above the knee. I do not feel any touch on the skin there. In the rest of the area, touch is still perceptible, but muted. Pressure is felt throughout the area, and it is painful at the main spot.
I visited a local hospital, but I felt like the doctor was speculating more than knowing for sure. He said it was related to the bruise. The clotted blood would dissolve and be carried away, causing the pain. And the numbness? The spider veins, etc.? He explained them as individual differences. He recommended me to take an aspirin tablet daily and gave me diclofenac ointment. It seems to be helping.
A better hospital is very far away in Cebu City. The examination alone is very expensive, and my insurance will only cover it if it leads to a diagnosis (not just a bruise). I am still working in the Philippines until mid-May, so I cannot simply fly back to Germany.
I would be very grateful if you could provide me with a possible diagnosis, as well as tips on how to deal with it - should I go to the hospital or is there something I can do myself, if so, what? Should I continue to use the diclofenac ointment? Aspirin yes/no?
Thank you for your help!
