What Causes Swelling In Lower Limbs?

Posted on Tue, 7 Apr 2015

Question: What causes fluid like swelling of the lower limbs where my legs are not hurting me but annoying the hell out of me and making me very irritable.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Detailed history, clinical examination, investigations

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.

To recapitulate: Female / 41 - fluid like swelling over the lower limbs - not hurting but annoying and making irritable - wants to know the causes.

May I please know a few relevant information:
Since when have you got this ?
Is it on both lower limbs ?
May I please know the extent of the swelling, I mean from which area to which area ?/
Are the toes spared (normal) or involved (swollen) ?
Is the skin color normal or altered / any patchy or dotted appearance particularly near the ankles ?
Are there any lymph nodes or swellings in the groin (Inguinal area) ?
Any other associated medical problems like anemia, hypothyroidism, gynecological problems ?

I know these may be too much to ask but your information will help me to help you more.
Many of the questions have inbuilt answers.

The causes can be due to
A) General causes like Anemia, Hypothyroidism, Hypo-proteinemia, renal diseases, cardiac problems and so on.
B) Local / topical : like Varicose veins, DVT, Lymph node problems in the groin like blockage, Pelvic pathology and so on.

I would advise you the following:
Consult a Physician for detailed history, clinical evaluation, physical examination, Lab investigations as per the clinical findings, further investigations as required like ultrasonography of the pelvis, groin, color doppler of the lower limbs and so on.

All these things together will help us to get a proper diagnosis.
A proper diagnosis can pin-point the treatment and will be more effective.

I hope this answer helps you to get a proper diagnosis, and get a proper further treatment. Please feel free to ask for more or if you need further clarifications if you feel there is a gap of communication

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (21 hours later)

The swelling is mainly of my left ankle from slightly above the ankle to about one and a half centimetres from the base of the foot going around to the back of the heal and back up to about 3-4cms above the ankle. The other foot is swollen but not to this extent. I only noticed the swelling of the left foot last night but does not mean it only occurred last night. The veins in my foot seem to be more exaggerated than previously noticed and the skin is slightly mottled. Just looking at my feet now they both appear to be swollen to the same extent. An obvious fluid like puffiness mainly of the ankle region. Slight dull feeling in both extremities and maybe a little tingle. Very annoying and does not go away with exercise. I went swimming and walking hoping it may improve but I can not get comfortable and they feel like they need to be constantly moving. I had to keep moving my legs to try to get to sleep. I have tried in ice bath for my feet as well. The only other complaint I have had is that when I wake from my sleep I have a tenderness to my left armpit. I think I will go to my GP on Monday and get her to have a look as this is the second night that it has been quite bad and I don't know what to do. I do have an over-active bladder that I take oxybutynin for so I guess it could be playing up. Thankyou for your suggestions and I appoligize for the delay in replying.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get a clinical evaluation by your GP and if necessary a Reference & tests

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Read and understood the history provided by you.
Your posting of the photograph (picture) would have helped me. You may please attach the picture. YYYY@YYYY

You have noticed the swelling last night, and have noted the extent as above. Veins are exaggerated - skin slightly mottled - fluid like puffiness around the ankle - swimming , walking - no pain (?) -tried ice bath - tenderness left arm pit - going to GP on Monday - taking Oxybutynin for overactive bladder -

My thoughts:
The swelling looks to be painless as you are walking, swimming. Yet the position around the ankle suggest the need for detailed blood and X-ray ?MRI investigations to go to the root-cause of it. Please discuss this in detail with your GP so that she may investigate you, start appropriate treatment or may refer to the Orthopedic Surgeon or so whichever She feels is required as per the clinical picture on actual examination.

Armpit pain will be examined by Her.

I hope this answer helps you to get a proper diagnosis, and get a proper further treatment. Please feel free to ask for more or if you need further clarifications if you feel there is a gap of communication.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (45 minutes later)

please see attached photo and tell me what you think. Thanks

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Synovitis

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the picture.
The ''on-spot'' (what we call in Medical language) diagnosis on looking at the picture is Synovitis of the ankle joint.

Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

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