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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Severe Pain And Swelling In The Left Leg Be Treated?

My husband is 67 and had a laminectomy on August 25th. His recovery has been going very well and he has been in physical therapy for the last few weeks. He had a session today. All has been going well until about 90 minutes ago. He suddenly began to have severe pain in his left leg down to his foot. It is very cold also. He has taken three ibuprophin and a pain pill but it is not working. The leg is also swollen. We live about an hour from the hospital and don't know if we should be heading to an emergency room.
Fri, 8 Dec 2017
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi and welcome to Healthcaremagic. I understand your concerns and I will try to help you as much as I can.
Well, being diabetic complicates this issues definitely. This may be a beginning of leg cellulitis which is inflammation of subcutaneous tissues and may develop into diabetic foot or even diabetic gangrene so any swelling, redness or pain in legs in someone who has diabetes should be evaluated by medical professionals since antibiotics may have to be started as soon as possible to prevent spreading of infection. He should do at least basic blood tests and blood sugar to see if there is significant infection or not. Other causes include deep vein thrombosis or lymph edema and these should be checked with an ultrasound exam.
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How Can Severe Pain And Swelling In The Left Leg Be Treated?

Hi and welcome to Healthcaremagic. I understand your concerns and I will try to help you as much as I can. Well, being diabetic complicates this issues definitely. This may be a beginning of leg cellulitis which is inflammation of subcutaneous tissues and may develop into diabetic foot or even diabetic gangrene so any swelling, redness or pain in legs in someone who has diabetes should be evaluated by medical professionals since antibiotics may have to be started as soon as possible to prevent spreading of infection. He should do at least basic blood tests and blood sugar to see if there is significant infection or not. Other causes include deep vein thrombosis or lymph edema and these should be checked with an ultrasound exam. I hope I have answered you query. If you have any further questions you can contact us in every time.