Leg Swelling
Overview | Possible Causes | Care and Treatment | HOME REMEDies | When to Call the Doctor | References
Overview
The ankles and legs are common sites of swelling because of gravity’s effect on the fluids in the human body. However, fluid retention from gravity isn’t the only cause of a swollen ankle or leg. Injuries and subsequent inflammation can also cause fluid retention and swelling.
A swollen ankle or leg can cause the lower part of the leg to appear larger than normal. The swelling can make it difficult to walk. It may be painful, with the skin over your leg feeling tight and stretched out. While the condition isn’t always a reason for concern, knowing its cause can help rule out a more serious problem.
Possible Causes
If you stand a large part of the day, you may develop a swollen ankle or leg. Older age can also make swelling more likely. A long flight or car ride may cause a swollen angle, leg, or foot too.
Certain medical conditions can also result in a swollen ankle or leg. These include:
- Being overweight
- Venous insufficiency, in which problems with valves of the veins prevents blood from flowing back to the heart
- Pregnancy
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Blood clots in the leg
- Heart failure
- Kidney failure
- Leg infection
- Liver failure
- Lymphedema, or swelling caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system
- Previous surgery, such as pelvic, hip, knee, ankle, or foot surgery
Taking certain medications can lead to this symptom. These include:
- Antidepressants
- Calcium channel blockers used to treat high blood pressure
- Hormone medications, such as birth control pills, estrogen, or testosterone
- Steroids
Swelling in the ankle and leg could be the result of inflammation due to acute or chronic injury. Conditions that can cause this type of inflammation include:
- Ankle sprain
- Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis that occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time.
- Gout, a form of arthritis caused by excess uric acid in the bloodstream.
- Broken leg
- Achilles tendon rupture, a partial or complete disruption of the tendon just above the heel, resulting in inability to raise the foot.
- ACL tear, a common knee injury where anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a tissue that connects the thighbone to the shinbone at the knee, gets torn.
Edema
Edema is a type of swelling that may occur when extra fluid flows into these areas of your body:
- Legs
- Arms
- Hands
- Ankles
- Feet
Mild edema can be caused by pregnancy, premenstrual symptoms, consuming too much salt, or being in one position for a long time. This type of leg or ankle swelling can be a side effect of certain medications, such as:
- Thiazolidinediones (used to treat diabetes)
- High blood pressure medications
- Steroids
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Estrogen
Edema can be a symptom of a more serious medical issue, such as:
- Kidney disease or damage
- Congestive heart failure, a chronic progressive condition that affects the pumping power of your heart muscle.
- Veins that are weak or damaged
- A lymphatic system that isn’t working properly
Mild edema will usually go away without any medical treatment. However, if you have a more serious case of edema, it can be treated with medications.
Care & Treatment
If you seek medical attention, your physician will likely determine what’s causing your symptoms. Testing may include:
- Blood tests
- An X-ray
- An electrocardiogram
- Urinalysis
If the swelling is caused by a medical condition such as congestive heart failure, the doctor may prescribe diuretics. These medications affect the kidneys and stimulate them to release fluids.
If an ongoing medical condition such as rheumatoid arthritis is the root of the problem, your treatment may turn into management and prevention of that condition.
Swelling due to injury may require bone resetting, a cast, or surgery to repair the injured area.
For swelling that’s painful, a doctor may prescribe a pain reliever or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen sodium (Aleve).
Mild swelling from pregnancy or a mild injury usually goes away on its own after delivery of the baby or with sufficient rest.
After treatment, you should contact your doctor if:
- Your swelling gets worse
- You have breathing difficulty or chest pain
- You feel dizzy or faint
- Your swelling doesn’t decrease as quickly as the doctor said it would
Home Remedies
To treat a swollen ankle or leg at home, remember the acronym RICE:
- Rest. Stay off your ankle or leg until you can get to the doctor or until the swelling goes away.
- Ice. Put ice on the swollen area as soon as you can for 15 to 20 minutes. Then repeat every three to four hours.
- Compression. Wrap your ankle or leg snugly, but be sure not to cut off circulation. Support stockings may be an option.
- Elevation. Raise your ankle or leg above your heart (or as far above your heart as possible). Two pillows will usually give you the correct elevation. This encourages fluid to move away from your leg.
When to Call the Doctor
Seek emergency medical care if you also have heart-related symptoms. These can include:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Dizziness
- Mental confusion
You should also seek emergency treatment if you notice an abnormality or crookedness to the ankle that wasn’t there before. If an injury prevents you from putting weight on your leg, this is also cause for concern.
If you’re pregnant, seek immediate medical attention if you have symptoms associated with preeclampsia or dangerously high blood pressure. These include:
- Severe headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Very little urine output
Seek medical attention if at-home treatments don’t help reduce swelling or if your discomfort increases.
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Reference
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/edema/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/leg-swelling/basics/definition/sym-20050910
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003104.htm
- https://patient.info/signs-symptoms/oedema-swelling/swollen-legs
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/when-is-leg-swelling-a-sign-of-something-serious/
