Differential Diagnosis for 56-year-old male with left medial malleolus fracture and proximal fibula fracture
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Compartment syndrome: This is the most likely diagnosis given the patient's symptoms of calf pain and tenderness without swelling after a fracture. Compartment syndrome is a serious condition that occurs when pressure within the muscle compartments increases, leading to inadequate blood supply to the muscles and nerves.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): The patient's recent trauma and immobilization increase the risk of developing DVT, which can cause calf pain and tenderness.
- Muscle strain or contusion: The patient's mechanism of injury could have caused a muscle strain or contusion, leading to pain and tenderness in the calf.
- Fat embolism: Although less common, fat embolism is a possible complication of long bone fractures, which could cause calf pain and tenderness.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Pulmonary embolism: Although the patient's symptoms are localized to the calf, it is essential to consider pulmonary embolism as a potential cause of sudden onset of pain, especially if the patient has risk factors such as recent trauma or immobilization.
- Arterial injury: The patient's fracture could have caused an arterial injury, leading to inadequate blood supply to the affected limb.
- Rare diagnoses
- Rhabdomyolysis: This is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when muscle tissue breaks down, releasing myoglobin into the bloodstream.
- Osteomyelitis: Although unlikely in the acute setting, osteomyelitis is a possible complication of fractures, especially if the patient has underlying medical conditions or immunocompromised status.
- Nerve injury: The patient's fracture could have caused a nerve injury, leading to pain, numbness, or tingling in the affected limb.