Edema of the legs is diagnosed very often; the reasons for the development of the disorder are various. The legs and ankles swell and hurt; the causes of the disorder should be clarified by a phlebologist. Ankle swelling occurs at any age, most often as a result of leg injury or vascular disease. At the Yusupov Hospital, patients with ankle swelling will be able to receive help from a vascular surgeon, phlebologist, oncologist, traumatologist and other specialists. The hospital has a modern diagnostic center; patients will be able to undergo diagnostics of vascular diseases using modern methods.
The Yusupov Hospital treats varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers, thrombosis, and uses various treatment methods: vein stripping, ligation, miniphlebectomy, transluminal phlebectomy. If you consult a doctor in a timely manner, you can avoid the development of severe vascular complications. Patients can undergo treatment of the disease on an outpatient basis or in a hospital setting, which is opened at the hospital. The Yusupov Hospital has a rehabilitation center and a clinical laboratory.
Causes of edema
As a rule, the main reason why the feet swell is fluid retention in the tissues.
Typically, this phenomenon is observed in healthy people who spend a lot of time on their feet, for example, due to the nature of their work.
Swelling may also occur after prolonged sitting.
However, there are several other options for why feet swell.
This may occur due to injury.
For example, a sprain of the ankle joint is inevitably accompanied by swelling, which after some time (if the injury is not too serious) goes away.
Some medications can provoke fluid retention in the body, in particular those that enter the body through droppers. However, after completing the course of therapy, the swelling of the foot goes away.
If your leg is swollen in the foot area, you should reconsider your diet, since swelling can be caused by excess body weight (increased stress on the joints) and an unhealthy lifestyle (eating large amounts of salt and alcohol abuse).
Swelling can be a consequence of intense training and increased physical activity.
In turn, women's legs may swell during pregnancy, in the postpartum period and due to hormonal imbalances.
Causes of bunions in the foot
The following factors can provoke the development of hallux valgus:
- osteoporosis;
- genetic predisposition;
- flat feet;
- hormonal disorders;
- wearing tight shoes with narrow toes;
- diseases of cartilage tissue;
- excess body weight.
According to statistics, a protruding bunion bothers approximately 40% of women over 30 years of age. In men, the deformity is extremely rare. This is due to the greater elasticity of the ligaments in the fairer sex.
What pathologies can cause swelling of the legs?
The first thing you should pay attention to is the kidneys.
It is this organ that needs to be examined initially, since the kidneys, due to disturbances in natural functions caused by various diseases, are simply not able to cope with the processing of large amounts of fluid entering the body. As a result, fluid is retained in the extremities.
Rheumatism and other diseases that have a devastating effect on the joints can cause circulatory problems.
This most often occurs due to inflammation of the joint capsule, which creates excessive pressure on the diseased joint.
If the foot is swollen and red, this may indicate the presence of pathologies in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Swelling occurs because the heart cannot cope with the load. As a result, blood and lymph stagnate in the lower extremities while blood pressure decreases.
Hormonal imbalances and liver diseases provoke improper metabolism, which leads to deterioration in fluid absorption.
Varicose veins also lead to fluid stagnation in the legs. This is due to insufficient elasticity of blood vessels.
However, in this case, swelling of the legs is observed only in the evening; it goes away in the morning.
How to recognize the disease?
The following changes indicate the development of a bone in the leg:
- the thumb deviates outward, while forming a “ball” at its base;
- there is constant aching pain in the area of deformity;
- fast fatiguability;
- difficulties with choosing shoes.
In the absence of treatment and progression of the pathology, a hammer-shaped shape of the remaining toes is observed. The appearance of the slightest signs of disease should be a reason to contact an orthopedist.
Diagnosis of edema
At your initial appointment, the doctor will first conduct a visual examination, after which, depending on your existing health problems, you will be referred for an examination, during which the following manipulations will be performed:
- They will take a blood sample and conduct a detailed analysis, and also check it for clotting and hormones;
- They will conduct an ultrasound examination of the arteries and veins of the lower extremities, as well as an examination of the pelvis and abdominal cavity;
- They will send you for an ECG;
- They will do MSCT and MRI to accurately determine the problem.
Based on the results of tests and examinations, it becomes possible to determine the area of pathology with maximum accuracy in order to subsequently contact a highly specialized specialist who will prescribe effective treatment for swelling of the foot and the original source of the problem.
It is worth making an appointment with a urologist and nephrologist if problems with kidney function are identified, with a cardiologist - with heart disease, with an endocrinologist - with hormonal imbalances, and with a phlebologist - if there are problems with blood vessels.
Swelling of the ankles: causes and treatment
Depending on the cause, the doctor prescribes treatment if the legs and ankles constantly swell. The reason for treatment is established using diagnostic methods and examination of the patient by a doctor. Poor circulation affects the vessels of the extremities. Poor circulation is associated with weakening of the vascular walls, poor functioning of the vascular valves that hold or push blood upward. The inability to regulate blood flow by valves causes blood to accumulate in the vessels of the extremities, the walls stretch, deformation of the vessels occurs, and varicose veins develop.
Vascular disease is characterized by constant swelling of the legs in the area of the feet and ankles, the swelling can spread higher. In this case, the doctor prescribes conservative or surgical treatment depending on the severity of the disease. Treatment of varicose veins begins with diet, weight loss, wearing special compression socks and bandages. The most dangerous complication of varicose veins is phlebothrombosis, which is often complicated by pulmonary embolism. Surgical methods for treating the disease are phlebectomy, radiofrequency coagulation of veins, laser coagulation of veins, sclerotherapy.
All these methods are used in the Yusupov Hospital; phlebologists and vascular surgeons consult at the hospital. Operations are performed in operating rooms equipped with innovative systems for laparoscopic and endoscopic, minimally invasive operations. Treatment of edema caused by kidney disease is carried out by a urologist. Kidney diseases accompanied by edema:
- Kidney stone disease.
- Glomerular diseases.
- Urinary tract infections
- Interstitial nephritis.
- Obstructive nephropathy.
- Cyst.
- Kidney cancer.
- Tubulopathies.
Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes treatment for the disease, including surgery. At the Yusupov Hospital you can consult an oncologist, diagnose urological diseases, cancer, receive effective treatment, and undergo rehabilitation. In case of injury in the ankle area, the traumatologist will prescribe treatment and apply a special bandage. If swelling is caused by professional activities, the doctor gives recommendations:
- During work, take short breaks for warm-up exercises.
- Wear comfortable shoes at work, orthopedic shoes if necessary.
- For persistent swelling, take herbal diuretics and use a special diet.
- After work, take a contrast shower, do foot baths, massages, wear special bandages to prevent varicose veins.
Folk compresses
This is not the first generation of women to suffer from such a disease as a bunion on the big toe. And many recipes were invented for pain and swelling, for example:
- Iodine is one of the most famous remedies for swollen bones. Mix iodine and two analgin tablets to a very thick consistency. Place the mixture on the bone, wrap the foot with a thick cloth on top or put on a wool sock. To make the warming effect stronger, we “pack” the foot in cellophane. It will be enough to apply a compress once a week so that the bone stops swelling and hurting;
- Mix salt and honey in equal proportions, put the mixture on the bone, wrap it in cellophane, and then put on a wool sock. We use the compress every day until the pain goes away;
- We make a warm foot bath in the basin, first adding ½ ml of iodine and a teaspoon of soda. Steam your feet for 20 minutes. We wipe our feet and spread iodine on the bone. On top are a sheet of paper and warm socks. Let's go to bed. Can also be used daily.
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Why does one leg swell?
If the swelling is asymmetrical, its cause is localized directly in the affected limb. Swelling may occur due to bruises on the legs or more serious injuries:
- ankle joint injuries;
- meniscus tear;
- separation of the calf muscle;
- bone fracture;
- tissue compression.
Venous edema is also most often unilateral. Varicose veins cause fluid stagnation, but they are localized in one limb where the vessels are affected. This is indicated by the characteristic venous network.
Thrombophlebitis disrupts blood circulation, and at the same time the outflow of fluid from tissues. In this case, swelling is accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms: fever, pain, compaction in the blockage area.
Therapeutic plasters
As soon as the bunion near your big toe is swollen and painful, apply a medicinal patch to it. This treatment is not universal; in the later stages it will only help against pain. But if used at the very beginning of the disease, the patch can stop its further progress. The market offers a huge number of different patches, and the most famous of them is pepper. Several generations of women have experienced its positive influence. And now many other, no less effective new products have appeared - for example, a magnetic patch.
Pepper plasters are applied to the bone near the thumb as soon as it hurts. You need to keep it for about two days - during this time the skin and joints will absorb all the necessary substances. Pepper irritation will improve blood circulation, deformed tissues will be able to fight inflammation. The nerves will stop transmitting pain signals to the brain.
Chinese plasters are made from medicinal plants, famous in traditional medicine of the Celestial Empire. They can be used not only as a whole sheet, but also in small pieces - gluing them to each biologically active point near the cone.
A variation of the Chinese patch is the magnetic patch. At the production stage, its medicinal substances, also of plant origin, are exposed to a magnetic field and infrared rays. This way they become more efficient.
Relieving swelling during pregnancy
In the body of a woman carrying a fetus, the concentration of the hormone progesterone increases. It is one of the causes of edema during pregnancy. In no case should it be reduced, because it is this that ensures the attachment of the embryo.
There is no need to fight physiological swelling. The main thing is to prevent it from getting worse. To alleviate the symptoms, you can carry out the mentioned water procedures and adhere to a healthy lifestyle (moderate activity, water consumption within the daily norm, adjusted for restrictions imposed by pregnancy, rest on your side).
The pathological nature of edema can only be determined by a doctor based on test results (in particular, protein in the urine). Having discovered the cause, he will prescribe treatment. It is prohibited to take any medications on your own.
External means
An emergency measure to relieve pain and swelling is ointment with menthol. Cold affects the nerves in such a way that they are distracted from pain and calm down. They act quickly.
To relieve inflammation and swelling, you can use modern Valgusstop ointment. It not only relieves inflammation and pain, but also pumps blood into the affected area. Thanks to this, joints and ligaments receive more nutrients. This means they gain strength, become stronger and are less susceptible to harmful stress.
The ointment “Shark oil and laurel” has proven itself well. With its help, you can defeat congestive processes that lead to the swelling of the big toe bone. The ligaments become elastic again and the pain goes away.
A mixture of 2 ml of Chlorophyllip and 1 ml of Dimexide quickly helps against pain. Mix the substances until smooth, moisten a cotton pad with the resulting essence and keep it on the bone for half an hour. During periods of exacerbation, you can use the product daily.
A gel made from the Bischofite mineral kills microbes that could cause the bump on the big toe to swell.
Treatment
Pre-hospital assistance
It is necessary to reduce the load. To reduce swelling, it is recommended to elevate your legs. In case of injuries, you need to fix the limb with a splint, apply an ice pack or a heating pad with cold water, and give an analgesic. For arthrosis and arthritis, local anti-inflammatory drugs are effective. Suspicion of a somatic cause of leg swelling, the presence of intoxication syndrome, severe pain should be considered as grounds for an urgent visit to a doctor.
Conservative therapy
Conservative treatment tactics are determined by the cause of the symptom:
- Kidney diseases
. A high-calorie, salt-free diet or a low-salt diet is prescribed. Etiopathogenetic and symptomatic therapy is carried out, which may include antibacterial agents, immunosuppressants, diuretics, and antihypertensive drugs. Hemodialysis is performed according to indications. - Heart pathologies
. An easily digestible fortified diet is recommended. Cardiac glycosides, ATP inhibitors, nitrates, vasodilators, diuretics, anticoagulants, and B-blockers are used. - Vascular diseases
. Phlebotropic medications, elastic compression, lymphatic drainage massage, and pneumocompression are used. - Joint diseases
. NSAIDs are shown in the form of tablets, injections, and topical agents. Physiotherapy, physical therapy, and massage are provided. - Injuries
. Fractures are repositioned, dislocations are reduced, plaster casts or skeletal traction are applied. Analgesics, physiotherapeutic treatment, massage, exercise therapy are prescribed. - Local infectious processes
. Conservative therapy is carried out in conjunction with surgical measures, including the use of antibiotics and analgesics.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Even when the bone swells for the first time, most often this indicates the presence of an inflammatory process. And if pain occurs due to inflammation, doctors most often recommend taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These remedies are known to everyone - Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Nise, even regular Aspirin. They not only relieve pain, but also fight its cause - inflammation.
It is also necessary to use such drugs because the inflammation of the bone does not simply go away. Any inflammatory process, when the bone swells, leads to the fact that the joints are destroyed under its influence. And in the future they become much more vulnerable, become deformed, and cease to withstand the load - the bone grows even more and swells even more often.
The disadvantage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is that they negatively affect the digestive system. Even if absorbed through the skin in the form of ointments and gels. This effect is minimized by modern developments - the so-called “coxibs”. Their group includes, for example, the drug Celecoxib.
