Hi,I am Dr. Shanthi.E (General & Family Physician). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
What Does Swelling Around The Ankles And Legs Indicate?
Symptoms - swelling around ankle area and up leg (approx 8 inches up from ankle) - also tenderness(pain when touching) leg above ankle This happens periodically - usually lasts anywhere from a day to 5 days. what might this be and what may cause this?
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Well, being diabetic complicates this issue 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 a significant infection or not. Other causes include deep vein thrombosis or lymphedema and these should be checked with an ultrasound exam.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards, Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein
I find this answer helpful
You found this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
We use cookies in order to offer you most relevant experience and using this website you acknowledge that you have already read and understood our
Privacy Policy
What Does Swelling Around The Ankles And Legs Indicate?
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Well, being diabetic complicates this issue 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 a significant infection or not. Other causes include deep vein thrombosis or lymphedema and these should be checked with an ultrasound exam. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein