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What Causes Recurrent Swelling And Pain In Ankles And Shins?
Question: My ankles and shins swell up like memory foam. It comes and goes and I can't determine the trigger or what makes it go away, results are inconsistent. I have talked to my GP, Endocrinologist, and rheumatologist about this and they can not figure out what is causing it. I am a Type 1 Diabetic, with fibro mialga, 39 years old. I have had a full blood panel and we have determined that it is not due to Kidneys. I have tried reducing my salt intake, elevation, more activity, less activity, and massage but nothing seems to help remove the symptoms. when the swelling occurs, my knees and ankles hurt worse then the symptoms fro. fibro mialga. I have no idea where to go from here. What other specialist should I see?
Brief Answer:
Can be related to arthritis, fluid or electrolyte imabalance or other cause
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
I have seen the attached images. You have pitting edema of your feet. It 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, high salt intake and any blood clot in the veins causing DVT. It is good that your renal functions are normal.
You should 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.
5) If you are taking any birth control pills then get an immediate evaluation from a physician.
6) You can take diuretic pills after consulting your doctor to relive the pedal edema.
If the pedal edema persists then I suggest you an immediate physician consultation. You need to get electrolyte levels, ECG and stress ECHO, venous Doppler of the legs and urine tests done in addition to the tests that you have already done.
You need to consult a general physician for all these.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Can be related to arthritis, fluid or electrolyte imabalance or other cause
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
I have seen the attached images. You have pitting edema of your feet. It 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, high salt intake and any blood clot in the veins causing DVT. It is good that your renal functions are normal.
You should 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.
5) If you are taking any birth control pills then get an immediate evaluation from a physician.
6) You can take diuretic pills after consulting your doctor to relive the pedal edema.
If the pedal edema persists then I suggest you an immediate physician consultation. You need to get electrolyte levels, ECG and stress ECHO, venous Doppler of the legs and urine tests done in addition to the tests that you have already done.
You need to consult a general physician for all these.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
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
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