Suggest Treatment For Severe Swelling In Legs And Ankles With Back Pain

Posted on Sat, 9 Jul 2016

Question: I have been dealing with my legs and ankles swelling up when I am on my feet today has been a bad one the veins were stickies up and I am having a lot of pain in my right shoulder and lower back pain the right leg actually is the worst ever. I have had blood work done by my Dr everything came back perfect . I also was admitted to the hospital for 3 days and they also said that they did not know what was causing all of my body to retain so much.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Need details about blood pressure, creatinine levels and echocardiography.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone through your query and understand your concerns and have checked the attached image. I would need to ask you if you have a raised blood pressure and if so, whether you take any medication for the same. Raised blood pressure can cause pedal edema and so can certain blood pressure medicines like amlodipine. Furthermore worsening kidney function could be involved and I woud need to know the blood sugar level (diabetes is a possible cause of kidney damage) along with the blood creatinine levels. I would also need to know if an echocardiography has been done since worsening cardiac pumping can lead to accumulation of water. So, in case an echo has not been done, it would be a good idea to get it done.

Once you can procure the updates please share them with me and I would definitely guide you further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (36 minutes later)

Thank you Dr. I do take medication for my blood pressure it is ColNIDINE0.2 MG as formy sugar it was at 88 complete blood count was done and the NA said everything looks good. In the hospital they did do 4 different test on my heart because that is also what my Dr thought it could be a leak in a valv. I do believe I mentioned the pain in my back on the right side . My overall health is ok iam just really concerned about all of the swelling and the redness if I apply pressure to my legs it will leave a indentation in my leg the skin gets so tight and today I noticed vines in my legs were popping up I also noticed that my arms were also swollen today. I hope that I answered the questions that you asked for. Again Thank you very much.

XXXXXXX Figueroa

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Could be a side effect of clonidine. Get echocardiography checked.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Sorry for the inadvertent delay in responding. I understand that you have high blood pressure and take clonidine for the same. Incidentally swelling of the feet and lower legs are among the less common side effects of clonidine and you may discuss with your treating physician about prescribing some alternative antihypertensive medication to you.

If a leaky valve is suspected a venous Doppler study of the lower limb will make things clearer.

I would insist you to specifically find out about the echocardiogram. I would also need to know your hemoglobin level.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (21 minutes later)

When I was in the hospital they done all of the test on my heart and found that my heart is good and healthy. So you are saying that the blood pressure medication iam taking can cause the swelling even if I have been on the medication for 5 years. One new thing that I have today is a dark purple spot on the back of my ankle and a lump about the size of a golf ball. What do you think this would be?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
A golf ball sized swelling is not seen in the current image.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back again.
I would assume that an echocardiography has been done and that the ejection fraction is good.
I would still need the blood creatinine levels.
I checked the image but could not see any lump of size of a golf ball. It would help if you could upload an image where such a thing can be clearly observed. I would be able to comment on it (and the purple spots) after glancing at the latest image (I have already checked the earlier one).
An uncommon side effect of swelling of ankles occurring suddenly after 5 years of intake of the medicine is quite unlikely. But unless something else is found I find nothing else worth pointing the finger at.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (53 minutes later)

I have added some additional attachments for you to look at also I circled the location of the lumps I also attached a picture of me just putting presser to my leg and the indentation I have if you look you can se that it looks like I have 2 ankle bones.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Photos checked.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for clarifying. I have checked the attached images and understand what you are talking about. It is due to edema. But the cause needs to be evaluated. Get the creatinine level checked and let me know the results.

regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

ok.Thank you..

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I will await your response.

Detailed Answer:
I will wait for your response.

Regards

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