If you are prone to any leg injuries such as sprains then you should always keep a close eye on it when it’s healing! Recently, a female reporter in China sprained her ankle during the Chinese New Year celebrations and she tragically died 12 days later due to a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot that goes to the heart or lungs).
Source: Dr Gordon Fosdick
Based on a recent report by China Times, the incident is believed to have happened last year, when the woman sprained her ankle on the eve of Chinese New Year. She went to the hospital for a check-up and took some X-rays but the doctor said that she did not have any fractures in her foot.
However, she was suffering from severe pain and her ankle was still swollen after that. It got so bad that the pain extended to her calf and her toes felt numb. A few days later, she fell into a coma and was rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it and just 12 short days after spraining her ankle, she passed away.
Source: Irish News
The doctor said that the cause of death was a pulmonary embolism that could have been caused by deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Although this may seem rather far-fetched, a 2008 study has revealed that minor leg injuries that don’t require a leg cast or bed rest can increase the likelihood of DVT, WebMD reports.
DVT can lead to pulmonary embolism when the blood clot travels up to the heart or lungs and you may experience symptoms such as having trouble breathing, coughing up blood or pain in your chest. If you or anyone you know is suffering from a minor leg injury like a sprained ankle or muscle tears, pay attention if there are symptoms such as swelling, tenderness, cramps, redness or discolouration and veins that stick out.
Source: West Coast Orthopedics
To prevent DVT from occurring, it’s important not to sit or stand for more than one hour at a time, drink plenty of water and wear special compression stockings if needed. Once an individual has DVT, the risk of getting it again could be higher.
Make sure that you always consult with a medical professional for any advice if you’re feeling unwell!
Also read: Young Girl Always Lies on Her Side to Play Her Phone, Develops 50 Degree Curved Spine
