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Ankles And Legs Are Swollen. Legs Are Hard And Sore To Touch. What Would Be Causing This?
Question: my ankles and legs are really swollen, and my legs are hard and sore to touch.
I flew up to Glasgow Friday night and returned to london last night
I flew up to Glasgow Friday night and returned to london last night
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
There are two levels of veins in the legs , the superficial veins that are present just under the skin (show up as varicose veins in some persons) and deep veins.
The superficial veins link up to the deep veins.
The main concern with swelling of the lower limbs after a flight is deep vein thrombosis which is a clot in one of the deep veins in the legs.
It would be very unusual, however , for a person to have a clot in both legs, it is more likely to occur in only one limb.
It would present with swelling, pain and redness of this limb.
Swelling can also occur in the absence of a clot and may be related to pooling of fluid in the legs after hanging down for a long period. This occurs because of the long time in this position and may also occur in persons with a history of varicose veins or venous disease of the legs.
In venous disease of the legs the valves in the legs that are suppose to prevent pooling of blood do not work as well as they use to so blood pools.
Because of the concern of a possible DVT (deep vein thrombosis) , though not likely bilateral, you may want to consider visiting your doctor for an assessment which would include physical examination and an ultrasound of the veins in the legs.
If a clot is present then medication to help with getting rid of the clot would be started. This would initially be heparin ,then warfarin.
There are also newer drugs that do not have the restrictions associated with warfarin.
If it is simply related to pooling of the blood then elevation of the legs would be helpful. This would have to done for most of the day when in a sitting position with time taken in between to move and stretch the limbs.This is most likely if you have a history of previous swelling on prolonged sitting or standing or a history of varicose veins
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
There are two levels of veins in the legs , the superficial veins that are present just under the skin (show up as varicose veins in some persons) and deep veins.
The superficial veins link up to the deep veins.
The main concern with swelling of the lower limbs after a flight is deep vein thrombosis which is a clot in one of the deep veins in the legs.
It would be very unusual, however , for a person to have a clot in both legs, it is more likely to occur in only one limb.
It would present with swelling, pain and redness of this limb.
Swelling can also occur in the absence of a clot and may be related to pooling of fluid in the legs after hanging down for a long period. This occurs because of the long time in this position and may also occur in persons with a history of varicose veins or venous disease of the legs.
In venous disease of the legs the valves in the legs that are suppose to prevent pooling of blood do not work as well as they use to so blood pools.
Because of the concern of a possible DVT (deep vein thrombosis) , though not likely bilateral, you may want to consider visiting your doctor for an assessment which would include physical examination and an ultrasound of the veins in the legs.
If a clot is present then medication to help with getting rid of the clot would be started. This would initially be heparin ,then warfarin.
There are also newer drugs that do not have the restrictions associated with warfarin.
If it is simply related to pooling of the blood then elevation of the legs would be helpful. This would have to done for most of the day when in a sitting position with time taken in between to move and stretch the limbs.This is most likely if you have a history of previous swelling on prolonged sitting or standing or a history of varicose veins
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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