Leg Swelling An Inconvenience or Medical Cause For Concern?

By James Laredo, MD, PhD

The GW Medical Faculty Associates

Leg Swelling An Inconvenience or Medical Cause For Concern?

Leg swelling is a common medical condition that affects millions of people every day. The condition can involve the feet, ankles, calves, knees and thighs, and may affect one or both legs. Leg swelling, also known as leg edema, can present suddenly or gradually over time.
Other symptoms may be present depending on the underlying cause of the leg swelling such as pain, numbness, tingling, warmth, redness, skin discoloration and bruising. In more serious cases, a wound may develop on the leg because of long-standing swelling and skin inflammation.
Leg swelling is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the legs. The accumulation of fluid may be due to excess fluid in the body, inflammation in the leg due to leg injury or leg infection, or a problem in the veins of the legs or lymphatic system where normal blood and fluid return is decreased.
Medical Conditions That Cause Leg Swelling
Medical conditions that result in the accumulation of fluid in the body and legs include heart problems such as congestive heart failure, liver and kidney problems.
Injury to the leg results in leg swelling that may be localized to the area of injury or may involve the whole leg depending on the extent and severity of the injury.
A leg Infection can also cause localized swelling of the affected area of the leg and may also result in swelling of the entire leg depending on the seriousness of the infection.
Vascular Conditions That Cause Leg Swelling
A blood clot in the deep veins of the leg, also known as deep vein thrombosis, is a potentially life threatening cause of leg swelling that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Patients who develop a deep vein clot in the leg typically report a history of recent travel on an airplane or a long car trip. They may also report a period of immobilization or recent leg injury or surgery. These patients often experience leg swelling that is associated with pain, leg heaviness and warmth.
Leg swelling that does not improve with leg elevation and rest usually prompts patients to visit their primary care physicians for further evaluation. The diagnosis of a deep vein clot is made with an ultrasound examination of the veins of the affected leg.
Another cause of leg swelling involving the veins of the legs is venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency is the most common cause of leg swelling in older adults affecting up to 30 percent of the U.S. population. Patients with venous insufficiency often have varicose veins on the legs and have a family history of leg vein conditions.
Lymphedema is leg swelling where the underlying problem is a poorly functioning lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is composed of many small lymphatic vessels, the function of which is to return fluid that leaks out of the blood vessels back up into the body.
If you are experiencing leg swelling, schedule an evaluation with a board-certified vascular surgeon for proper diagnosis and treatment.