How do doctors diagnose a blood clot in the leg?

Answer 1

Well, there are clinical signs that a blood clot may be there.
Pain and swelling in one leg. Clots are almost always one side only. Because they block the venous return, many people get edema of the affected leg. Doctors also check for Hohman's sign which is basically does it hurt in your calf if you push the ball of your foot up. They also consider whether you are a patient at risk for clots in your leg. Some major risk factors include not moving out of bed (hospitalized pts), older age, malignancy, recent surgery, smoking, etc.

But the actual diagnosis is usually made either by ultrasound or by CT scan. They use an ultrasound to look at the veins in your legs and see if there are clots. Same with the CT.

Answer 2

I just had a deep scan, as suggested, but it was a tumor under the bursa (knee-cap) not a clot. I was amazed at what they could tell from the new deep CAT scan.