DVT of the leg can be characterised by pain,
swelling and tenderness, a heavy ache in the
affected area, warm skin in the area of the
clot and redness or discolouration of the skin,
particularly at the back of the leg below the
knee. Unlike cellulitis, the redness does not
tend to spread rapidly and is much more
localised to the area of the clot (CREST 2005).
The patient will not be pyrexial or
demonstrate the symptoms of infection
previously noted. If DVT is suspected the
patient should be sent for a D-dimer test,
ultrasound scan and/or venogram to confirm
diagnosis