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Leg swelling is common and often harmless, but sometimes it’s a warning sign of a deeper problem. Understanding when swelling is serious is the first step to getting the care you need before complications arise.
Everyone’s legs can swell a little at the end of a long day, especially after standing a long time, traveling, or eating salty foods. But if it happens regularly, you might be wondering if your leg swelling might be a sign of something more serious.
Leg swelling that’s persistent, painful, one-sided, or associated with other troubling symptoms can indicate there’s more going on than simple fluid retention. And at Centers for Pain Control and Vein Care in Hobart, La Porte, Merrillville, Munster, and Valparaiso, Indiana, we evaluate leg swelling and leg pain carefully to determine the cause and help you find the answers you need.
Here’s how to tell when you should seek professional care for leg swelling.
Understanding common, mild causes of leg swelling
Most of the time, leg swelling is part of your body’s normal processes and it’s harmless. Common causes include:
- Prolonged standing or sitting: causes fluid to pool in your lower legs
- Warm weather: can make blood vessels dilate and let fluid escape into surrounding tissues
- Increased salt intake: can make your body retain fluid
- Hormonal changes with menstruation or pregnancy: temporarily increase swelling
These situations often lead to mild swelling that’s symmetrical (the same) in both of your legs. Typically, mild swelling and any discomfort that comes along with it improves after rest, elevation, or reduced activity.
When to take leg swelling more seriously
Leg swelling can be normal, but it’s important to recognize when your symptoms warrant a professional evaluation. Certain patterns of swelling could indicate underlying medical conditions, especially when swelling doesn’t go away or is linked with other symptoms like:
Swelling in one leg only
If swelling affects only one of your legs, it might be due to a localized issue rather than general fluid retention. One-sided swelling can be a sign of injury, like a sprain, strain, or fracture.
Swelling in only one leg may also be a sign of deep vein deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot in a deep vein, and it’s considered a medical emergency. The clots can break loose and travel to your lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism, which is life-threatening if not treated quickly. Symptoms to watch for are sudden swelling, warmth, or tenderness in one leg.
Swelling with leg pain
Swelling accompanied by persistent or worsening pain isn’t normal, but it’s not always easy to determine the cause or find effective treatment. Our team has the capability to assess both swelling and discomfort to determine if it’s muscular, vascular, or neurologic.
Some possible causes of leg pain with swelling are:
- Venous insufficiency: causes blood to pool in your lower extremities
- Reduced blood flow due to plaques or clots
- Lymphedema: can cause persistent, painless swelling initially and later lead to discomfort or tightness
Because swelling and pain often coexist in serious conditions, it’s important not to dismiss discomfort as “just part of aging” or fatigue.
3. Swelling with skin changes
If your skin gets red, warm, shiny, or discolored along with swelling, this could signal infection, inflammation, or vascular compromise. These changes are red flags that require professional evaluation.
For example, cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that causes swelling, redness, warmth, and tenderness. Chronic venous disease (CVD) can lead to skin thickening, discoloration, and even ulcers if left untreated.
4. Sudden or severe swelling
Rapid onset of swelling that comes on within a few hours or less deserves immediate attention. Sudden swelling can indicate issues like blood clots, acute heart or kidney issues affecting fluid balance, or even allergic reactions with fluid redistribution.
5. Swelling with systemic symptoms
When leg swelling occurs alongside symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or severe fatigue, it may indicate a broader cardiovascular or pulmonary issue. Conditions like heart failure, pulmonary embolism, or kidney dysfunction can disrupt fluid management in your body and require urgent medical care.
How we evaluate leg swelling and leg pain
We take a comprehensive approach to assess leg swelling and its underlying causes. We take your medical history and do a physical exam to understand when the swelling began, what activities precede it, and whether pain or other symptoms are present.
Vascular studies, like ultrasound or Doppler tests, help us check blood flow and detect blood clots, valve dysfunction, or obstruction. We may also use X-rays or other imaging to look for structural or musculoskeletal causes. If you have systemic symptoms, laboratory tests can offer more insight into inflammation, kidney function, or cardiac markers.
Once we determine the cause, we discuss your options for treatment. Elements can include medication, vascular interventions, physical therapy, compression therapy, lifestyle adjustments, or referral to specialists for advanced care.
Leg swelling is common, and paying attention to how, when, and where swelling occurs can help you determine if it’s a sign of something more serious. Our team is here to help you understand what your symptoms mean and get you the right care. Call us at 219-476-7246 or book an appointment online today.