Differential Diagnosis for Calf Pain Ascending

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): This is a common condition that can cause calf pain, especially if it ascends. The pain is often accompanied by swelling, redness, and warmth of the affected leg. DVT is a significant concern due to the risk of pulmonary embolism.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Muscle strain: Overuse or injury to the calf muscles can cause pain that may ascend, especially if the strain is severe or involves the deeper muscles.
  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD): This condition involves narrowing of the arteries, which can lead to pain in the calf when walking (claudication) that may ascend if the disease is severe.
  • Cellulitis: A bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues that can cause pain, redness, and swelling, which may start in the calf and ascend.
• Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
  • Pulmonary embolism (if DVT dislodges and travels to the lungs): Although not directly causing ascending calf pain, it's a potential complication of DVT that is life-threatening.
  • Compartment syndrome: A condition where increased pressure within a muscle compartment leads to muscle and nerve damage. It's an emergency that requires prompt treatment.
  • Aortic dissection: Although rare, it can cause severe pain that may radiate or ascend down the legs if the dissection involves the descending aorta.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome: A rare condition where the popliteal artery is compressed, leading to claudication and potentially ascending calf pain.
  • Cystic adventitial disease: A rare condition involving the formation of cysts within the arterial wall, which can cause claudication and pain.
  • Neurogenic claudication due to spinal stenosis: This condition involves narrowing of the spinal canal, which can cause pain, weakness, or numbness in the legs upon walking, including ascending calf pain.