My wife just got off a long flight and her calf is super swollen with bulging blue veins. She says it aches intensely. Her primary doctor can not fit her in today. What can we do right now?

Sudden calf swelling after a long flight can be an indicator of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This condition arises when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins, usually in the leg, and can potentially break loose, travel through the bloodstream, and cause a life-threatening blockage in the lungs known as a pulmonary embolism (PE).

Flights lasting more than four hours have been associated with an increased risk of DVT due to prolonged periods of immobility. This lack of movement can contribute to the pooling of blood in the legs, increasing the risk of clot formation. The swelling, especially if accompanied by bulging blue veins, suggests impaired blood flow and warrants immediate attention.