You have just gotten off an airplane after a long flight. Maybe you didn’t move much for the past several hours. Maybe there just wasn’t much legroom. As you are walking toward the exit you notice something that alarms you. Your calf seems to be hurting. It feels a bit like a pulled muscle. Is this a blood clot? Is there a problem with your circulation? Well, the answer may not be so simple. There is more than one reason for leg pain after flight.
Leg Pain After Flight From a Blood Clot
Obviously, the most urgent cause of leg pain after flight is a blood clot. Another name for a blood clot in the leg is deep vein thrombosis or DVT. Blood clots after flying are not common. The fact is that millions of people fly every day and most do not have clots. But still, it is also true that flying can contribute to clots. So if you have leg pain after flight, thinking about a blood clot definitely makes sense.
Am I at Risk to Develop a Clot?
Some people have a higher risk for blood clots than others. Here are a few factors that might put you at increased risk for a blood clot after flying:
- You had a blood clot after a previous flight or without any other obvious reason
- People in your family tend to develop blood clots
- Many types of cancer and cancer treatments are known to increase the risk for clots
- Obesity
- Limited mobility, including just not moving enough during a long flight
- Long flight duration. On average, flights under 6 hours are not considered to contribute to risk of clotting.
Preventing Blood Clots after Flight
There are a couple of very simple things you can do that will help prevent blood clots:
- Move around. This is probably the best advice. When you move around, your feet and calves pump blood through your veins. Moving blood has less chance to clot. Obviously, sometimes, moving around is not so simple during a flight. Maybe there is turbulence. Or maybe you are sitting in a middle seat. But don’t be shy. Ask to get up and do so often.
- Stay hydrated. It is true that dehydration is linked to blood clots. But it is also true that this is more the case in children than in adults. Still, staying hydrated, especially with clear fluids, is not a bad idea. Prefer water over sodas or coffee. If you want something different, choose a natural fruit juice.
While any people believe compression stockings will prevent clot, that is actually not true. You might consider wearing compression stockings to prevent swollen ankles after flight. But they will not prevent clots.
Some people might need to consider medication to prevent blood clots. These are known as blood thinners. If you have a tendency for clotting, or if you are specifically concerned, discuss this with your doctor. In fact, the CDC has made similar recommendations.
When Can I Fly After a Blood Clot?
Some people who have a blood clot in their leg still need to fly. There is no one rule as to when flight is safe. But here are a few things to think about:
- Is there a blood clot also in the lungs? Some people who have a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg), will also have a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs). Because the air in an airplane is thinner than on ground level, a blood clot in the lungs might prevent flying because you will not be able to breath properly.
- Swollen ankles after flight are common. A blood clot in the leg can cause significant swelling. Sometimes the swelling is short-lived. But other times it lingers. If you are suffering from significant swelling, flying may make it worse.
- Some people are afraid to fly after a blood clot, because they heard that flying causes clots. While that is true (to a degree), if you are taking a blood thinner, then you should be covered for that risk.
Leg Pain After Flight from Tight Muscles
Flying involves a lot of sitting. You sit in the car on the way to the airport. Then, you sit at the airport waiting for boarding to begin. And then you sit in the plane. First, on the tarmac, and then for the duration of the flight. Even when you finally arrive, you usually still have to sit and wait for your turn to get off the plane. So no wonder many people develop tight muscle and even muscle cramps after flight. In fact, even though many people do not sleep well during a flight, some cannot sleep when they finally get home because the flight resulted in significant night leg pain that can take a day or two to resolve.
Preventing Tight Muscles from Flying
Try to prevent your muscles from tightening up. Move around. Stay hydrated. Don’t be shy. If you are not sitting at an isle seat, ask to get up as often as you need to. Stretch your calves and your hips. You might feel like people are staring at you, but you will also be happy you did.
Swollen Ankles do not Cause Leg Pain After Flight
Many people tend to develop swollen ankles after flight. There are several reasons for this to happen. It has to do with the lower cabin pressure compared to the pressure on the ground, and to the fact that people tend to sit for a long period of time during the flight. The important thing to remember is that this swelling is not supposed to hurt. True, flying is one of the causes for heavy legs. But not pain. So, while painless swelling may resolve on its own, never ignore painful swelling.
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