[36F] Experiencing painful swollen lumps and limited movement

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible explanations for your symptoms include:

• Soft Tissue Infections: These are infections that involve the skin, muscles, tendons, and fat. They can cause painful lumps, swelling, and limited movement. However, these usually also cause redness, warmth, and fever, which you did not report.

  • Treatment typically involves antibiotics and sometimes drainage of the infected area.

• Lipomas: These are benign (non-cancerous) fatty tumors that can occur anywhere in the body where there is fat tissue. They are usually soft, movable lumps under the skin. They can sometimes cause pain or limited movement if they press on nerves or restrict joint movement.

  • Treatment is usually not necessary unless they cause symptoms, in which case they can be surgically removed.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints. It can also cause rheumatoid nodules, which are firm lumps under the skin. However, these nodules are usually not painful unless they are subjected to pressure or rubbing.

  • Treatment typically involves medications to reduce inflammation and slow the progression of the disease.

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): This is a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. It can cause pain, swelling, and a heavy ache in the affected area. However, it usually does not cause lumps unless the clot is very large or there is a severe complication like a venous aneurysm.

  • Treatment typically involves anticoagulant medications to prevent the clot from getting bigger and to stop it from breaking off and traveling to your lungs.

What you can do

You should definitely see a healthcare provider about your symptoms. They can examine you and order tests if necessary to figure out what's going on. In the meantime, you can try the following to relieve your symptoms:

1. Apply a warm compress to the painful areas. This can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
2. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help to reduce pain and swelling.
3. Try to avoid putting pressure on the painful areas. This can help to reduce pain and prevent further injury.

What you should look out for

Reasons to seek urgent medical care include:

• If you develop a fever, chills, or redness and warmth over the lumps
• If the lumps rapidly increase in size
• If you develop severe pain or your pain significantly worsens
• If you develop new symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or a severe headache

Remember, while I strive to provide accurate information, I'm not a doctor. Please consult with a healthcare provider for a formal diagnosis and treatment.