Suggest Treatment For Pain And Swelling In The Calves

Posted on Wed, 19 Oct 2016

Question: Hi. I am a 57 year old female, I weigh 230 pounds, 5'7". I have severe pain and oft times swelling in my calves, that radiates to my feet. My feet are normal temperature to touch, they feel at times like they are burning but yet they always feel like they are extremely cold. The left foot I wrap up in a heating pad at night, the right I wear 2 pairs of loose fitting socks. Somedays it feels like someone has put a rubber band below my knees because it feels so tight in my calves. This has been going on for the past 3 months and has extremely worsened in the past month. I have recently changed my diet, have lost 12 pounds and am walking a half mile 2x per day. I have been on lysinopril for high blood pressure for 2 years and then was switched to a natural vessel tonic and carditone. Blood pressure is fine but the burning sensation in my calves and feet are starting to make it difficult to walk. I have always been extremely active but obviously with my weight, horrible eating habits for years. I have sciatica in which I am receiving chiropractor treatments but that is all. I do sit at a desk but not for long periods at a time, good posture and I do get up and move around frequently, prop my legs at night. Somedays are better than others. NO SALT at all. I do not take any pain medication except on occasion Aleve. I am at my whits end. Please help and advise and in advance thank you.

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Re investigate & revise treatment plan with orthopedic doctor's advise,

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the query through Health care magic . I have read & understood
your problem & concern.
After reading your symptoms that you have described in detail, I feel your problem is neurogenic in nature & seems to be-
- Aggravation of sciatic problem you have. ( nerve compression at sciatic notch or due to pyriformis muscle ) or possibly compression of nerve at higher level in lumber spine.
Any of these can cause pressure of pinching of sciatic nerve to affect nerve supply to calf muscles soreness with burning & cold feeling in foot. The swelling of calf represents irritation & stress to muscles due to over use..leading to mild swelling.
The over weight & blood pressure can contribute to swelling over feet.
* You have been under care of a chiropractor all theses days & aggravation of symptoms in spite of the treatment highlight need to get more investigations & consult an orthopedic surgeon for suitable treatment.
MRI/ CT scan of the pelvis & lumber spine would throw light on exact site of problem.. & management would be cause specific ( NSAID pills/ B12 supplements/ local injection of steroids/ physiotherapy/ physical therapy / surgery ).
* weight reduction would help to reduce the symptoms.
In short expert advise about treatment & your personal care for reduction of weight/ avoid painful movements like bending, weight lifting, over exertion would help you in management of your trouble sum problem.
I hope, the answer was both informative & useful to you. Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.

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