Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ankle Swelling, Low Vitamin D, High Urine White Count, Cipro, Advil. Diagnosis?
Question: I have had terrible pain in wrists & hands for 3 months and have been diagnosed with carpel tunnel syndrome. My ankles have been swollen too and I have been having very bad joint pain - the orthopedic doctor feels this is not related to the carpel tunnel syndrome. I took all kinds of blood tests after seeing a rhuematoid arthrologist and my internist. They found very low vitamin D deficiency and a high white blood cell count in urine but with no bacteria and also no arthritis. I took cipro for a week and went back for another urine test - white blood count still high.Now I am told to see a urologist. No one can explain swollen feet or terrible joint pain which is worse when I wake up. Advil seems to help but feet still swollen. My internist doesnt think it is a kidney problem (no growth in urine?)I am so worried. what could this be?
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query. Swelling of the feet or ankles is called pedal edema and is caused by accumulation of an excessive amount of watery fluid in cells or intercellular tissues. It can be due to cellulitis, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, arthritis, high altitude, menopause ( can be a cause in your case), high salt intake and any blood clot in the veins causing DVT. Are you taking some medicines like laxatives or hormone replacement treatment? Abusing these drugs can also cause bilateral pedal edema.
In your case, since you had kidney stones history, hence I suggest you an immediate physician consultation. You need to get kidney function tests including serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, electrolyte levels, ECG and stress ECHO, venous Doppler of the legs and urine tests done. Persistent high WBC in urine are often indicators of kidney infection.
At your age, joint pain is due to osteoarthritis of the joints. The other possibility for swollen and painful joints is gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Did you get the serum uric acid and RF (rheumatoid factor) done in the blood tests? If these tests were not performed earlier, you need to get these tests done along with x-ray and MRI of the feet to rule out any osteoarthritis changes in the bones. A lack of vitamin D3 can also cause severe bone pain, especially at the joints where the muscles connect to the bones. Since you have been diagnosed with low vitamin D, you should get vitamin D supplements prescribed from your doctor.
Till that time, follow these lifestyle measures to alleviate the symptoms:
1) Increase muscle activity with walking, avoid standing in place for long periods of time and avoid sitting with the feet dependent.
2) Limit salt intake and stop taking any laxatives (if you are taking them).
3) Elevate the legs when sitting and wear leg wedges while sleeping, support socks and proper fitting shoes and socks.
4) Keep your fluid intake adequate by taking plenty of fluids.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks for posting your query. Swelling of the feet or ankles is called pedal edema and is caused by accumulation of an excessive amount of watery fluid in cells or intercellular tissues. It can be due to cellulitis, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, arthritis, high altitude, menopause ( can be a cause in your case), high salt intake and any blood clot in the veins causing DVT. Are you taking some medicines like laxatives or hormone replacement treatment? Abusing these drugs can also cause bilateral pedal edema.
In your case, since you had kidney stones history, hence I suggest you an immediate physician consultation. You need to get kidney function tests including serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, electrolyte levels, ECG and stress ECHO, venous Doppler of the legs and urine tests done. Persistent high WBC in urine are often indicators of kidney infection.
At your age, joint pain is due to osteoarthritis of the joints. The other possibility for swollen and painful joints is gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Did you get the serum uric acid and RF (rheumatoid factor) done in the blood tests? If these tests were not performed earlier, you need to get these tests done along with x-ray and MRI of the feet to rule out any osteoarthritis changes in the bones. A lack of vitamin D3 can also cause severe bone pain, especially at the joints where the muscles connect to the bones. Since you have been diagnosed with low vitamin D, you should get vitamin D supplements prescribed from your doctor.
Till that time, follow these lifestyle measures to alleviate the symptoms:
1) Increase muscle activity with walking, avoid standing in place for long periods of time and avoid sitting with the feet dependent.
2) Limit salt intake and stop taking any laxatives (if you are taking them).
3) Elevate the legs when sitting and wear leg wedges while sleeping, support socks and proper fitting shoes and socks.
4) Keep your fluid intake adequate by taking plenty of fluids.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
