Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Ankle Swelling When Suffering From Vascular Disease?
Question: I'm a XXXX and am puzzled by symptoms of a friend of mine 2 week hx of "odd feling" in r groin site several months ago of femoral angiogram(severe vascular disease) pt is 5'2 250 recent non smoker, hx 1 vessel cad, htn hyperlipidemia spinal stenosis and severe pvd. now for the past 2 days has had unilateral swelling(1-2 pitting) of right ankle just to above malleolous- had w/u yesterday with neg dvt or other focal findings. no evidence of lymphedema,infection or c/o recent injury- today states swelling has slightly increased and does not resolve overnight. Your thoughts?
Brief Answer:
Probably related to vascular problems!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about what your friend is currently experiencing and all the various disease conditions she is being managed for.
I have reviewed this information fully. The unilateral nature of her symptoms means this is less likely to be due to a heart, kidney, liver or any other systemic condition. The cause is probably local originates from this limb. With the history of severe vascular disease(PVD), this is the probable cause of her symptoms. I am pretty sure blood is unable to circulate freely to and from this limb and this is the cause of her symptoms of ankle swelling.
I am happy to know it is not DVT. It is less likely to be related to the lymphatic system as she has a known severe PVD that can more likely cause this than the lymphatic system that is still in apparent good shape. There may not have been any findings that point to the exact cause of her edema but, it is likely related to the PVD.
For now, if it stays minimal and not symptomatic, I will advice that she does not seek any further aggressive medical interventions to address this. Let her monitor the evolution over time and only seek further care if symptoms set in or swelling worsens. I am happy with the measures of decreased salt intake, elevating the legs. They would prove helpful!
I hope this helps and sheds more light on this condition. I wish your friend well and thank you for caring. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Thanks for using our services.
Probably related to vascular problems!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about what your friend is currently experiencing and all the various disease conditions she is being managed for.
I have reviewed this information fully. The unilateral nature of her symptoms means this is less likely to be due to a heart, kidney, liver or any other systemic condition. The cause is probably local originates from this limb. With the history of severe vascular disease(PVD), this is the probable cause of her symptoms. I am pretty sure blood is unable to circulate freely to and from this limb and this is the cause of her symptoms of ankle swelling.
I am happy to know it is not DVT. It is less likely to be related to the lymphatic system as she has a known severe PVD that can more likely cause this than the lymphatic system that is still in apparent good shape. There may not have been any findings that point to the exact cause of her edema but, it is likely related to the PVD.
For now, if it stays minimal and not symptomatic, I will advice that she does not seek any further aggressive medical interventions to address this. Let her monitor the evolution over time and only seek further care if symptoms set in or swelling worsens. I am happy with the measures of decreased salt intake, elevating the legs. They would prove helpful!
I hope this helps and sheds more light on this condition. I wish your friend well and thank you for caring. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Thanks for using our services.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
