A painful calf

One of the downsides of medical practice nowadays, whether it be in a hospital emergency department or a busy general practice, is that patients are treated by more than one doctor – no-one can be there all day, every day. As an experienced GP working in the emergency department of the local hospital it is not uncommon for staff to ask you for an opinion or for help with a patient.

A junior registrar having some difficulty with a diagnosis and with relating to a patient grabs you. While he is explaining his diagnostic dilemma, you leaf through the patient’s chart.