When the foot is swollen and hurts, what to treat depends on what caused the symptoms. As a rule, the legs become swollen and painful when there is excessive stress on them. Many times we don’t even think that such a harmless reason is not always the provocateur of pain. Thus, a rather dangerous disease can develop in this area, which, if not treated in a timely manner, can cause serious complications.
Let's take a closer look at each of the diseases.
There are primary, secondary and tertiary types of hypothyroidism. The primary type is the most common form of the disease, which occurs with autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland, chronic iodine deficiency, and congenital malformations of the thyroid gland. The secondary type is a consequence of a disease of the pituitary gland, when insufficient levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the body cause disruption of the functioning of the thyroid gland and the appearance of such symptoms. The tertiary type of the disease is the result of damage to the hypothalamus, which is involved in the activity of the pituitary gland.
A distinctive feature of this cause of edema is the appearance of symptoms not only in the feet, but also in other areas, for example, a specific area on the arms, legs, or face is swollen and painful. The initial stage of the disease is characterized by mild swelling, which a person mistakes for excess weight. Later, when the swelling spreads to the face, the person begins to think and consult a doctor.
Treatment for this cause is quite lengthy. First of all, the endocrinologist prescribes those drugs that maintain the level of thyroid hormones in the body. Such drugs are prescribed strictly on an individual basis. When taking medications, the doctor monitors the pulse, finds out if there are complaints of cardiac discomfort, and takes measures to determine the level of cholesterol in the body.
Fluid retention in the body, which manifests itself as swelling in the extremities, can be observed from taking many medications, including sex hormones (male and female). For women, sex hormones are needed as protection against unwanted pregnancy, as well as for the treatment of diseases. In the latter case, estrogen and progesterone are often prescribed. For men, progesterone is necessary, which is indicated for impaired potency and in the presence of excess weight. It is not recommended to exceed the dosage of the drug.
The feet also become very swollen and painful when taking drugs from the ACE inhibitor group, which are necessary to control blood pressure, kidney and heart failure.
A foot bone fracture is a violation of the integrity of the foot, which is accompanied by symptoms such as swelling and hematoma, as well as pain in the damaged area, radiating to nearby parts of the limb. Swelling of the damaged area can be quite long-lasting and result not only from poor blood flow, but also from a violation of the integrity of the ligament and muscle tissue. Since a dislocation causes severe pain in the injured area, this causes limited mobility.
If an open, intra-articular, comminuted or displaced type of injury is diagnosed, swelling will be localized not only in the injured area, but throughout the entire surface of the foot. Also, the cause of swelling in case of a fracture of the foot is the plaster removed from it. In this case, the skin surface remains undamaged. In medicine, this phenomenon is called “lymphostasis” - this is a consequence of impaired lymph outflow.
The attending physician may prescribe the following methods to eliminate swelling during a fracture:
What to do to eliminate swelling and pain? First of all, you need to consult a doctor to assess the severity of the injury, after which he will prescribe appropriate treatment. First aid is to apply cold to the damaged area, which will help eliminate swelling. After the cold compress, it is necessary to apply an elastic bandage so that before the ambulance arrives, you do not further injure the foot.
The opinion of some doctors is that the feet may swell due to the production of a hormone that impairs vascular elasticity. There are other reasons. So, you can notice that the foot or both feet are swollen due to excess sodium content in the woman’s body. The feet become very painful and swollen when exposed to certain aggravating factors, for example, smoking, hot weather, excessive consumption of spicy and salty foods.
Some foot swelling during pregnancy is considered normal and does not require treatment. These include: a symptom in the 3rd trimester, a symptom that occurs in the area of the legs and feet in the evening. More dangerous manifestations during pregnancy are: swelling of only one foot with redness of the skin, swelling of other parts of the body, headache with swelling, a symptom that occurs in the 1st trimester.
What to do in such cases? First of all, swelling can be eliminated only after getting rid of its cause. If swelling is a natural phenomenon, not pathological, then it will go away within about two days after birth. There are also special recommendations, following which you can reduce the intensity of the symptom, and sometimes even prevent it:
And in conclusion, it is worth saying that you can prevent swelling and pain in the foot area by following simple recommendations. So, rest and proper nutrition can contribute to this.
Why there is pain in the top of the foot, swelling and other symptoms - your doctor will tell you about this. Our legs are not only a means of transportation, but also an irreplaceable part of the human body, which performs important functions. And if they have pain in the top of the foot, swelling, then this not only creates interference with normal movement, but can also significantly worsen the way of life. Why there is pain in the instep of the foot and swelling appears will be discussed in this text material.
We need to find out why a person’s foot hurts on top.
Nowadays, the question is very acute as to why there are cases when a person’s foot hurts and is swollen. There are many such cases, and diseases of the legs and joints have almost taken the first place, they occur at different ages and everyone is getting younger every year. What to do if your foot is swollen?
Why might my leg swell while instepping? Causes:
Having flat feet. When moving, the arch of the foot acts as a supporting frame for the foot. Normally, it is distinguished by its ability to rise in order to ensure uniform distribution of body weight, the ability to maintain balance and at the same time perform a supporting function. But sometimes the arch of the foot is capable of falling down. The result of this phenomenon is that the bone structures come closer, the joints are located on top of each other, due to which the process of compression occurs, the tendons and ligaments are stretched. The above changes provoke the development of pain (which intensifies with movement and loads), which can be located in any area of the foot.
Why does the foot with arthrosis bother you? These diseases are based on damage to the joint tissue, which causes their deformation. Various joints, including the upper part of the foot, can be affected by such deformities. The distinctive feature of these ailments is based on the fact that arthrosis is an age-related disease. For this reason, as we age, the body cannot restore all tissue structures. And arthritis, as is commonly believed by doctors, is attributed to autoimmune diseases in which the cellular formations of the body, due to certain reasons, are capable of attacking joint formations. Pain can appear both during movement and at rest.
If pain is felt at the top of the foot, then the doctor diagnoses marching foot. An amazing phrase represents a condition in which certain deformation processes occur in the foot, leading to modifications of bone tissue and pain. Often this phenomenon occurs after stress associated with frequent climbing stairs, marching, lifting weights and other physical activities. Due to the presence of loads on the joint tissue and ligaments of the foot, significant pressure is exerted. Soldiers especially complain about the pathology described above (during the initial period of service).
Hygroma of the foot is an isolated formation in the area near the joint. It has the appearance of a bubble formation, where fluid accumulates with other impurities of a pathological nature. The formation is dense, lump-shaped, rising above the foot.
It can occur due to heavy loads on the foot or wearing uncomfortable shoes. From the initial stage of development, hygroma does not manifest itself in any way, there are no specific symptoms, but as the parameters increase, pain begins to increase and pain is detected (in particular, after lifting loads). If the tumor increases greatly, pain appears in the joint tissue.
Ganglion is a formation located in the tendon joints. This is nothing more than a combination of nerve endings and water. The signs of a similar disease and the causes of its occurrence are almost the same as with hygroma.
Foot injury. Impact or heavy lifting causes damage. Pain is associated with microtrauma. After a certain time, the pain when receiving a blow can turn out to be significant in strength and intensity, after which it will become aching and dull in nature, and is characterized by the ability to intensify in case of movement.
The disease gout is the deposition of urea in the joint part. There is a paroxysmal, sharp and at times severe pain syndrome, the upper part of the foot is motionless. The cause of the disease can be poor nutrition or the presence of malfunctions in the functioning of certain systems.
Periostitis is an inflammatory formation of the periosteum with the process moving to other tissue structures. The foot is prone to swelling and pain.
What to do if your foot is swollen on top and hurts? In particular, it is necessary to consult with a specialist, but which one? This aspect depends on the specific disease.
The starting step is to visit a therapist, and he will give you a referral to the specialist you need. This could be a rheumatologist, surgeon and other specialists. To clarify the exact cause of pain, diagnostic procedures are prescribed: x-rays, ultrasound, and you will probably need to have your blood tested.
If there is a problem, treatment methods, various medications and procedures are prescribed by a specialist.
What to do when your foot starts to swell? Arthritis or arthrosis requires complex treatment. If we consider arthritis, then it is appropriate to make attempts to clarify the causes of the disorder (virus, weakened immune defense) and eliminate them. In the presence of both diseases, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs (non-hormonal, and in case of complications, hormonal - corticosteroids) will be required. The pain is relieved with painkillers. To replenish the tissue structures of cartilage and joints and their nutrition, chondroprotectors are prescribed, which contain substances similar to those found in the tissues.
Treatment of gout is based on maintaining a certain diet. For example, it is necessary to introduce restrictions on the consumption of meat and fish products, in particular, broccoli, spinach, and legumes. But cereals, milk, eggs, fruits and other vegetables are allowed. Alcohol and other alcoholic products are prohibited.
Flat feet - the arch of the limb is deformed, it is very painful for a person to walk. Impairments can be corrected by wearing specially designed orthopedic shoes and using physical therapy exercises. However, it is appropriate to take therapeutic measures at the initial stage of development of the disease.
Why does the top of my foot hurt? Causes such as foot injuries require immediate contact with a specialist, as fractures or cracks that can cause serious complications cannot be ruled out.
The ganglion and hygroma are disposed of by puncturing and removing the tumor formation with its contents, after which a specific composition is introduced, intended for disinfection and rapid healing. The limb must be fixed in a certain position (for example, for a week). In certain cases, a whole range of procedures is indicated, for example, irradiation with ultraviolet rays.
Treatment of periostitis is relief of the inflammatory process. Sometimes antiallergic drugs and calcium-based vitamins are advisable to strengthen the tissue structure.
The marching foot will require fixing the foot for a certain period of time. As an option, physiological procedures are used, in particular, heating with paraffin and massage.
Swollen feet are a problem of both a medical and aesthetic nature. If a healthy person's leg is swollen, it is unsightly and unpleasant. Feet may swell during menstruation in women, after a long flight, prolonged exposure to the sun or alcohol abuse, as a result of disrupted sleep patterns. To relieve swelling, healthy legs only need to rest for a couple of hours.
If your feet become swollen and swollen too often, you should be concerned and consult a doctor. Leg swelling is a symptom of a number of pathologies and a serious problem requiring medical attention.
The causes of swelling of the legs are different: allergies, injuries, vascular somatic and endocrine diseases. Infection often leads to swelling of the lower extremities: abscesses, cellulitis and some skin diseases. Only a doctor, after conducting a comprehensive diagnosis, will be able to determine the etiological factor of the pathology in each specific case.
Ankle swelling can be unilateral or bilateral. Swelling of two limbs is a sign of a developed pathology that needs to be treated. If only the right or left leg swells, there is most likely an injury or local lesion.
manifestations of severe heart failure
Heart failure is a dangerous disease that manifests itself with many symptoms and often leads to the death of the patient. One of them is painless swelling of both legs at once - right and left. They become cold, freezing and numb all the time. The legs usually swell after sleep or in the evenings. Prolonged horizontal position of patients contributes to the spread of edema to the lower back, arms and face.
Along with swelling, the pathology is manifested by periodic pain in the heart, shortness of breath that occurs even with mild overexertion, and arrhythmia. If such signs appear, you should immediately contact a cardiologist. Heart disease weakens the myocardium, it stops fully pumping blood. Impaired blood circulation leads to dilation of the veins in the legs, and blood accumulates in them, which manifests itself as swelling. Plasma leaves the vascular bed into the tissue. Cardiac edema is motionless. When they are squeezed, pain appears. The skin of the swollen area is cold and bluish.
Treatment of chronic heart failure includes diet therapy, optimization of physical activity, psychological rehabilitation, drug therapy, physiotherapeutic methods and surgery.
rheumatic inflammation of the heart membranes and joints - a possible cause of edema
Pericarditis is a disease of viral or bacterial etiology in which the pericardial sac becomes inflamed and becomes dense and tight. Often develops as a result of rheumatic fever. The work of the heart is disrupted: the myocardium contracts weakly, blood circulates poorly. As a result of such pathological processes, the veins of the legs swell. Due to chronic rheumatism, the joints become inflamed and swollen.
Treatment of pericarditis is complex, consisting of symptomatic, pathogenetic and etiotropic therapy. Patients are prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Indomethacin, Voltaren, Diclofenac, antibiotics taking into account sensitivity, hormonal drugs: Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, cardiac glycosides - Korglikon, diuretics: Furasemide, Veroshpiron " They are also indicated for dietary nutrition and vitamin therapy.
Diseases of the venous system always manifest as swelling of the legs.
Thrombosis and thrombophlebitis are dangerous pathologies leading to dire consequences. Pain and swelling are their main symptoms. The legs swell constantly, hurt, become hot to the touch and tight. Patients complain of heat in the lower extremities. If the disease is not treated, it will lead to serious consequences - gangrene, sepsis, pulmonary embolism.
Treatment of venous diseases of the legs is complex and serious.
Patients are recommended to wear compression garments, use tonic gels, strengthen the walls of blood vessels through physical exercise, take medications if necessary, and undergo a massage course.
Patients are prescribed phlebotonics - tablets "Detralex", "Venarus" and ointments "Troxevasin", "Lioton". If conservative treatment does not produce results, proceed to surgical intervention.
Kidney disease is also a cause of swollen feet. Inflamed kidneys cannot cope with excess fluid, and swelling occurs. They are localized on the face around the eyes and gradually spread down to different parts of the body. A pathognomonic symptom of kidney pathology is “bags under the eyes” caused by edema. The cause of fluid retention in the body is a lack of albumin protein, which is excreted in the urine. Renal edema is mobile; when squeezed, it can move. Externally, the swollen area is slightly paler than the surrounding areas of skin.
Edema is always accompanied by other symptoms of the disease: oliguria, pain in the lumbar region, characteristic changes in the urine. When kidney function improves after treatment, swelling quickly disappears.
To treat renal edema, patients are prescribed diuretics “Lasix”, “Veroshpiron”, “Mannitol”, etiotropic drugs - antibiotics and NSAIDs, diet therapy, and administration of saline solutions.
Severe thyroid dysfunction often manifests itself as swelling of the legs. With hypothyroidism, little thyroid hormones are produced. In patients, the leg swells at the ankle. When you press on the swollen area, there is no hole left. This is a characteristic sign of edema when the thyroid gland is damaged.
Myxedema occurs when there is significant damage to the thyroid gland. In this case, almost all tissues of the body swell. The skin in the area of swelling becomes rough, flaky and yellowish. Patients gain weight. Swelling is well expressed on the face, which becomes mask-like: puffy and lifeless. The general condition of patients worsens: hair, eyebrows and eyelashes fall out, nails break and peel. With myxedema, the skin, muscles, ligaments, nerves and even internal organs swell. Treatment of the disease consists of additional administration of thyroid hormones.
Injuries are one of the common causes of swollen feet. If your leg is swollen after a fall, you should find out the nature and result of the injury.
Swelling, increasing pain, hematoma, dysfunction and unnatural position of the limb are signs of a fracture. When a bruise occurs, swelling of the injured area appears and the pain gradually subsides. A hematoma forms a couple of days after the injury. Swelling prevents full movement of the injured leg.
Traumatic swelling of the foot can be determined visually: it swells and increases significantly in size. The toes become swollen, the skin becomes bluish. Patients experience a feeling of heaviness in the legs, discomfort, and pain.
Allergic reactions develop to certain medications, insect bites, and foods. One of the manifestations of allergies is local swelling of the legs. To get rid of it, you need to eliminate contact with the allergen: stop taking medications or eliminate other sources of irritation.
Allergic swelling of the legs is a pathological condition also called allergic arthritis. This is a clinical sign of Quincke's edema or other allergic reaction, as well as any joint pathology.
Symptoms of allergic edema: swelling of the limb, redness of the skin, a small rash and severe itching. Pain syndrome is another clinical sign of pathology. The pain intensifies after a long stay in an uncomfortable position, physical activity, or heavy lifting. In severe cases, swelling can spread to surrounding tissues and internal organs. Such changes are quite serious and can lead to fainting and even death.
Swelling of the extremities is caused by hormones, antidepressants, steroids, beta blockers and other antihypertensive drugs.
swelling due to portal hypertension
Cirrhosis or liver cancer leads to the death of liver cells and organ dysfunction. The body's metabolism is disrupted and fluid is retained in the body. Affected hepatocytes cease to fully produce the protein albumin, blood stagnates in the systemic circulation, and ascites develops. With cirrhosis, connective tissue fibers prevent the outflow of venous blood; it stagnates in the veins of the legs, which is manifested by edema. Patients develop yellow skin, enlarged breasts, reddened palms and difficulty breathing.
As a result of compression of the inferior vena cava, the legs also become swollen. Portal hypertension is manifested by swelling of the ankles and anterior abdominal wall, as well as hepatosplenomegaly.
Gout is a common cause of swollen legs. The body's metabolism is disrupted, and uric acid salts accumulate and settle in the joint capsule. Urates enter the body with food: meat, mushrooms, herring. Their deposition leads to redness and swelling of the joint. Patients suddenly experience paroxysmal pain in the joints, they become red and swollen. Patients complain that their legs are “burning with fire.” Gout usually affects the large joints in the legs. Therapeutic measures for gout are aimed at relieving inflammation and eliminating swelling and pain.
The cause of lymphatic edema of the legs is impaired lymphatic drainage, leading to the accumulation of lymph in the tissues. Primary lymphostasis develops from birth and is caused by a congenital predisposition. Secondary pathology occurs as a result of excessive stress on the legs, excessive fluid intake into the body, and metabolic disorders.
manifestations of lymphostasis by stages
At the first stage of the disease, swelling in the legs occurs periodically, usually in the late afternoon and disappears after waking up. In the second stage, pain, rapid fatigue of the legs appear, and cramps are possible. The third stage of the disease is irreversible. The limb ceases to function. Elephantiasis develops. Symptoms accompanying swelling with lymphostasis: weakness and fatigue, headaches, white coating on the tongue, inability to concentrate, arthralgia.
Treatment of lymphostasis is complex, including mechanical removal of excess lymph from the lymphatic system and drug therapy. Patients are recommended to keep the sore leg in an elevated position, and are prescribed manual lymphatic drainage massage or hardware pneumocompression, as well as the use of special bandaging. Drug treatment consists of the use of drugs: “Detralex”, “Troxerutin”, “Troxevasin”, “Lymphomiazot”, “Wobenzym”.
Causes of leg swelling: fasting, frequent fasting days, protein-free mono-diets, cachexia, vegetarianism. Due to protein deficiency in the body, fluid is retained in the tissues and the legs become swollen. To cope with leg swelling, you need to normalize your diet. To do this, you should visit a nutritionist who will help you correctly adjust your diet and individually calculate calories, as well as the optimal ratio of essential nutrients.
If your legs are swollen, you should not look for the causes and eliminate them on your own. It is necessary to consult a doctor who will identify and treat the underlying disease. Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis after examining the patient and receiving test results. Self-medication often leads to serious consequences and even death.
Sprained your ankle, it's swollen and you don't know what to do? You can try to relieve swelling at home using traditional medicine recipes.
Regular gymnastics and light foot massage will help cope with swelling of the legs. It is useful to raise your legs to a vertical position for 10 minutes from time to time. Daily use of such measures is really effective for non-advanced edema, and at the same time, will alleviate the condition at any stage.
If the cause of swelling of the legs is gout, use an iodine-based solution, which is rubbed on the affected joints, or take foot baths with this remedy. Iodine disinfects open wounds and penetrates deep into tissue, reducing symptoms of internal inflammation.
You can use diuretic herbal remedies for swelling of the legs after consulting a doctor: infusion of birch leaves, parsley, kidney tea.
You should consult a doctor immediately if:
The main task of specialists is to identify the cause of leg swelling and correct treatment.
Every day we expose our body to physical activity of varying intensity, which primarily affects the condition of our legs - every evening we experience fatigue and swelling in our legs.
Of course, such fatigue in the legs is a completely natural phenomenon, however, in some cases, our legs can become swollen and painful, which in turn leads us to the most disturbing thoughts.
So why does this happen? And how dangerous is it? In this article we will answer your question of why your leg swells and hurts.
So, as we have already said, pain in the legs is a completely natural phenomenon that each of us periodically encounters: severe physical fatigue and grueling physical activity, our lifestyle and many other factors directly affect the condition of our legs, which is why we experience pain in the legs. legs. In addition to the painful sensations themselves, all of the above can also cause swelling or swelling in the legs. Of course, all this is quite natural, because such symptoms arise as a protective reaction of our body to excessive physical activity, however, what can swelling of the legs, which arose for no apparent reason, indicate? As many have already guessed, in this situation we are already talking about the presence of some pathology, which is manifested by symptoms such as swelling and pain in the legs. Below we will tell you about these pathologies in more detail.
Depending on what kind of leg injury we have received, it may swell and hurt with varying intensity.
As a rule, when we receive a bruise, dislocation or sprain, we rarely turn to a specialist for help, because the pain and other “consequences” soon go away on their own, however, this is precisely our mistake, since in the future even the most insignificant microtrauma will contribute to long-term resumption of pain. That is why, when receiving any injury, it is always necessary to use an elastic bandage and special ointments;
Each of us leads our own specific lifestyle with our own specific physical activity, and if we violate such a “schedule” and load our body with excessive physical activity, then in this situation swelling and pain in the legs is a natural reaction of our “unprepared” people. to similar muscle loads. As a rule, such “manifestations” of fatigue overtake us in the late afternoon and, after some time of rest, they go away on their own. However, it is worth considering that such symptoms are also characteristic of the first stage of venous insufficiency, which in turn develops against the background of a disease such as varicose veins;
According to statistics, the fair half of humanity is most susceptible to this disease, namely in 70 percent of cases, which in turn is due to the factors that cause the occurrence of this pathology.
Among all the reasons that cause the development of varicose veins, it is worth highlighting the one that most provokes the development of this pathology, namely, wearing incorrectly selected shoes.
Frequent wearing of high-heeled or platform shoes in combination with long walking are the fundamental factors for the development of varicose veins;
It is worth noting that this disease is very insidious, because its untimely treatment can lead to disability in the future, which is why if regular swelling and pain occurs in any specific area of the leg - lower leg, foot, knee or thigh - you should definitely contact to the appropriate specialist. As a rule, arthritis “spreads” to one area of the leg, in the area of which the patient experiences pain and swelling. Another additional symptom of this disease is redness of the skin in this area, as well as an increase in its temperature - it becomes hot to the touch;
Arthrosis is a joint disease in which the cartilage layer of the joints themselves is destroyed, causing the patient to experience pain not only in the joints of the legs, but throughout the body.
As for the causes of this disease, the most important factor influencing the development of this pathology is frequent and uneven physical activity on the body.
For example, in most cases, representatives of such professions as drivers, salespeople, builders, as well as those who spend most of their working time sitting at a computer have to deal with such a diagnosis.
Specialists of all the above profiles are forced to stay in the same position for a long time, which is why the muscles and joints cannot cope with any physical activity in the future.
Various endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, excess body weight), as well as hereditary predisposition, are also the causes of such a diagnosis as arthrosis;
Thrombophlebitis is a vascular disease that experts call the most insidious and unpredictable, which in turn is due to the fact that its detection usually occurs at a late stage.
The main reason for the development of this disease is the presence of a pathology such as varicose veins in an advanced state, however, factors such as heredity and the presence of infection are also the “causative agents” of this dangerous pathology.
As for the symptoms of this disease, these include the following: minor swelling of the legs and redness of the skin in the same area, as well as itching, burning and a feeling of heaviness in the legs;
Fasciitis is a disease in which the patient experiences pain in the foot, and the ankle itself swells quite strongly.
Surprisingly, in most cases, this pathology affects women after about forty years of age, as well as people who suffer from diseases such as arthritis and arthrosis, as well as various diseases of the spine or leg joints.
As for the symptoms of this disease, in this situation the patient, as a rule, experiences pain and discomfort in the morning when taking the first steps, however, a similar pain syndrome can occur at any other time of the day. Incorrectly selected shoes, as well as high-heeled shoes and flat feet - all of these are among the causes of the development of a disease such as fasciitis.
It is also worth noting that the presence of any specific pathology can be judged by the location of the swelling and the intensity of the painful sensations themselves. Next, we will tell you in more detail about such symptoms and what pathologies they may indicate.
The above symptoms in most cases are not associated with any disease: as a rule, mild swelling, as well as minor pain in the legs, bother us at the end of a working day and are a common reaction to physical activity: heavy physical activity, prolonged standing or Walking for a long time in uncomfortable shoes always provokes the occurrence of such symptoms. However, it is worth considering that exactly the same symptoms at an early stage manifest themselves in a disease such as varicose veins, which in turn, if left untreated, can progress into pathologies that are more dangerous to our health;
If your leg is swollen and you feel quite intense pain in the same place, then in this situation we are talking about possible damage to structures such as the meniscus, cartilage, ligaments and periarticular bursae by the inflammatory process. Such multiple damage to any joint always indicates the presence of a disease such as polyarthritis, which can occur in its various forms - rheumatic, rheumatoid, gout and others.
However, not only this disease occurs with similar symptoms; if swelling and pain occur on the lower leg or thigh along the inner side of these segments, then in this situation we are talking about a diagnosis such as thrombophlebitis.
With this disease, in addition to the above symptoms, patients also experience redness of the skin and dilated veins in these areas. Inflammatory diseases of the joints such as fasciitis, phlegmon and myositis also “announce” themselves with the above symptoms.
If swelling causes more discomfort than the pain itself, then in this situation we can talk about pathologies such as heart or kidney failure.
Initially, it is necessary to pay attention to the localization of swelling: if a similar symptom appears on the shins of both legs, then in this situation we are talking about a pathology such as heart failure.
It is also worth noting that with this disease, pain in the legs themselves may be moderate or may be completely absent.
The formation of small ulcers at the site of swelling is another symptom of an illness such as heart failure.
If swelling of the legs is caused by a pathology such as renal failure, then in this situation, in addition to the swelling and pain itself, a symptom such as cramps of the calf muscles is added, which in turn can be quite painful.
If the pain in the leg is quite intense, and the swelling is not pronounced, then in this situation we are talking about the presence of serious diseases.
As a rule, pain and swelling appear on one side and in one specific place, for example, in the knee, lower leg, thigh, etc.
As for the diseases themselves, the list of probable pathologies includes such pathologies as endorteritis and atherosclerosis (diseases associated with damage to arterial vessels), various tumors (metastases or bone tumors or spinal tumors).
As you can see, symptoms such as swelling and pain in the leg can be associated with serious diseases and pathologies, and therefore, if they occur, it is imperative to contact an appropriate specialist to undergo an examination and prescribe adequate treatment.
The loads experienced by the lower extremities are characterized by high intensity. This fact causes a condition in which one or both legs are swollen and painful.
This combination of two syndromes: pain and swelling is not uncommon. On the contrary, this combination is one of the most common.
Therefore, it requires due attention from both ordinary people and specialists.
Pain in the legs is one of the first symptoms of both natural changes in the body due to lifestyle or environmental factors, and pathological conditions.
In these cases, it almost always occurs in combination with other symptoms. Pain can be either primary, appearing first, or secondary, occurring as a subsequent symptom.
Therefore, anamnestic data regarding the development of symptoms must be taken into account.
The main mechanisms for triggering combined conditions, in which the leg is swollen and painful, can be as follows:
One of the first criteria by which you can roughly determine the cause of swelling and pain in the legs is localization and prevalence.
If only one leg is swollen in a certain segment (lower leg, ankle, thigh), this indicates that the problem is related to any of the components of this area.
These can be bones, joints, muscles, tendons.
Vein damage and venous insufficiency are a common cause of pain and swelling of the legs.
The more limited the swelling, the more it coincides with the location of the pain.
A common type of edematous syndrome on one leg is evidence of inflammatory changes (thrombophlebitis, fasciitis, osteomyelitis), the formation of blood clots in the deep vein system (phlebothrombosis of the leg and thigh) or severe traumatic injuries (fractures, dislocations, ruptures of muscles and tendons). If not one, but two legs are swollen at the same time, this is more likely evidence of fluid stagnation in the vessels or a delay in its removal from the body due to heart and kidney failure.
Read the article: Why does leg pain occur at night?
In cases where edema and pain syndrome are manifested by pastiness (slight swelling) and a feeling of mild pain or discomfort on the legs, this is evidence of natural changes.
The cause of their occurrence is often muscle weakness and the unpreparedness of the legs to carry out the loads that they experience during life. More often they appear in the evening due to prolonged standing, especially in heels, and heavy physical work.
The same symptoms are characteristic of the first stage of chronic venous insufficiency caused by varicose veins.
If the leg hurts very much, but is swollen slightly or locally, this is almost always evidence of serious illness. More often, such pain is one-sided and affects a specific segment of the limb (knee, hip, etc.).
Such diseases include cancerous bone tumors and distant metastases of other neoplasms of any location, damage to arterial vessels due to atherosclerosis or endarteritis, neuropathy or irritation of the nerve roots due to herniated intervertebral discs or spinal tumors.
Important to remember! In the same person, a combination of conditions in which the lower limb is simultaneously swollen and painful can be due to different reasons. This means that one of these symptoms is a manifestation of one disease, and the second is a manifestation of another!
The cause of pain and swelling in the legs may be trivial reasons associated with the wrong selection of shoes.
Conditions in which there is a dissociation between pain and swelling syndromes, in which the leg is swollen more than it hurts, may indicate the influence of the vascular component.
First of all, you need to pay attention to the prevalence and localization of edema (on one or both legs). A bilateral lesion in the form of severe swelling of the legs speaks in favor of congestive heart failure.
In its initial stages, pain is moderate or completely absent. As the swelling progresses, the pain increases. Both symptoms reach a maximum with critical skin tension, on which multiple ulcerative defects form.
If swelling of the legs is caused by renal failure, they are often combined not so much with pain as with painful cramps of the calf muscles.
If the leg hurts and is swollen to the same degree, this must be compared with the localization of these symptoms.
They can affect joints, located in the area of one or more of them, which will indicate damage to structures (cartilage, ligaments, menisci, periarticular capsules).
Multiple articular lesions always indicate polyarthritis (rheumatic, rheumatoid, gouty, etc.). Swelling and pain along the inflamed veins with thrombophlebitis are expressed in approximately the same way.
Such processes are most often localized on the thigh and lower leg along the inner surface of these segments, accompanied by dilated veins and reddening of the skin. All inflammatory diseases localized on the leg (myositis, fasciitis, phlegmon) are unilateral in nature and are characterized by a synchronous increase in pain and swelling.
When assessing the combination of pain and swelling of the lower extremities, it is imperative to pay attention to other symptoms (fever, general condition, shortness of breath, etc.). Often they are the defining diagnostic criteria.
Swelling in humans occurs due to the fact that for some reason the body ceases to cope with the removal of excess fluid, which is why it begins to accumulate in the intercellular space of soft tissues. Diseases of the blood and lymphatic vessels contribute to the development of edema. An imbalance of water balance in the body can be observed as a complication of certain diseases of the heart, liver, kidneys and thyroid gland. Often, adults suffer from swelling that appears on their legs. In some cases, the limbs not only become swollen, but also become very painful, and this phenomenon can have several causes.
The main reason why a person's legs swell and hurt is varicose veins.
The disease develops due to increased pressure inside the veins and their expansion, which causes the vessels to lose their elasticity and cope with their functions worse.
Also, the cause of varicose veins is often a malfunction of the venous valves, which ensure normal blood flow in the veins.
Factors contributing to the development of varicose veins include:
Symptoms of varicose veins, which lead to severe pain and swelling in the legs, develop gradually.
A sign of the disease at the initial stage of its development is swelling of the legs, which appears in the evening, as well as a feeling of heaviness and fullness in the limbs after standing work, sitting or intense physical activity. As the disease progresses, a person begins to notice pain in the calves, heat in the extremities, and cramps at night. Noticeable spider veins appear on the skin of the legs, which enlarge and become more pronounced over time. The skin of the legs begins to pigment and becomes dry to the touch.
As for swelling with varicose veins, the legs swell asymmetrically, mainly in the area where the affected veins are located.
The danger of varicose veins is that in the absence of adequate therapy, this disease leads to thrombophlebitis, in which blood clots (thrombi) form.
The latter can enter vital organs (lungs and heart) through the bloodstream and lead to the cessation of their full functioning, which leads to death.
A person’s legs swell and hurt during lymphostasis, a condition the essence of which is the disruption of the outflow of lymph from the lower extremities due to impaired patency of the lymphatic vessels. The causes of the pathology are as follows:
As lymphostasis of the legs develops, a person experiences increasing symptoms of the disease. Swelling forms in the ankle joint area of the leg, but at the initial stage of lymphostasis development it is painless. The legs swell in the evening, but after rest the swelling subsides.
If treatment for lymphostasis has not been started, the swelling spreads to the lower leg and becomes dense. In addition, the patient's affected limbs hurt and increase in girth. Stagnation of lymph leads to the fact that a person experiences pain when walking and bending (extending) the knee.
Lymphostasis of the lower extremities is characterized by elephantiasis - a rapid increase in the girth of the limb due to stagnation of lymph and proliferation of connective tissue. There are also such dangerous complications of the disease as erysipelas, trophic ulcers and sepsis.
It is worth noting that healthy people may also experience pain and swelling in their legs from time to time. The reason for this is wearing tight shoes (especially with heels), excessive physical activity, prolonged sitting, etc.
First of all, a person should consult a doctor, especially if the swelling and pain in the legs is pronounced.
A phlebologist examines and treats patients with impaired blood and lymph flow in the lower extremities.
To make a diagnosis, a patient complaining of swelling and pain in the legs is prescribed the following tests:
What to do for varicose veins:
For swelling and pain in the legs, the doctor prescribes venotonic ointments to the patient, which have a tonic and decongestant effect on the limbs.
Examples of such drugs are Shungite, Lyoton 1000 and Troxevasin.
For oral administration, medications such as Phlebodia 600, Doppelherz balm, Cardiomagnyl and Detralex are prescribed.
Treatment of lymphostasis helps restore lymph flow and normalize the functioning of the lymphatic system.
The patient is shown a diet that involves enriching the diet with proteins, vegetable fats and vitamins, but at the same time limiting the consumption of salt, smoked meats, animal fat and sugar.
With lymphostasis, it is useful to do special exercises to eliminate lymph stagnation. A set of exercises is prescribed by a doctor.
Hydromassage, lymphatic drainage massage, laser and magnetic therapy can also speed up the recovery of a person who has been diagnosed with lymphostasis.
To normalize lymph outflow, phlebotonics are prescribed: Detralex, Troxevasin, Venoruton, Paroven. Some homeopathic medicines and enzymes may also be prescribed.
To always feel light in your legs and prevent swelling, it is enough to follow some simple rules.
First of all, a person should carefully consider the choice of shoes, especially if he is forced to stand for a long time during the day.
Exercise, outdoor walking and swimming will help prevent the development of pain and swelling in the legs. These loads have a beneficial effect on the elasticity of blood vessels, preventing their walls from stretching.
A healthy diet and adherence to the drinking regime will help prevent disturbances in the water-salt balance in the body and the gain of extra pounds. Compliance with preventive measures will allow you to preserve the beauty and health of your feet for many years!
Swelling of the legs is a fairly common problem, which in most cases develops due to pathological processes that occur in the human body. In rare cases, swelling may occur in a healthy person.
Edema is the accumulation of fluid in places where it should not be. During normal functioning, small human capillaries remove all the liquid that accumulates in the intercellular space. Subsequently, it is transported along the venous bed.
Impaired functioning of capillaries can be disrupted due to changes in the permeability of the vessel wall, blood pressure, protein and sodium levels in the blood. Due to a failure in these mechanisms, water removal is disrupted, resulting in the formation of edema.
If the legs swell in a completely healthy person, then most often this is due to:
However, the appearance of edema can be a symptom of many diseases or pathologies in the body:
Also, swelling of the legs can occur due to the development of an allergic reaction to food, medications, or insect bites. First of all, you need to stop taking the allergen, and then use medications (for example, suprastin).
Swelling of the legs may occur due to frequent fasting. This happens due to protein deficiency in the body, which is caused by frequent fasting days or mono-diets.
In this case, the best therapy will be the normalization of nutrition, which will be filled with important micro and macroelements.
If the condition is advanced, you may need to consult a nutritionist who can help you create a diet.
The appearance of swelling can be caused by a leg injury. But at the same time, a noticeable hematoma appears on the bruised area, which forms after a few days. In this case, the possibility of full movement of the leg disappears.
The first thing a person notices when water accumulates in the lower extremities is marks from the elastic of socks and discomfort when walking. After some time, if treatment is not started, the swelling becomes more noticeable, changing the shape of the legs.
The formation of physiological edema most often manifests itself in the late afternoon, especially if a person has consumed a large amount of junk food during the day or has been in the heat.
The swelling does not rise above the lower leg. After resting in an upright position, relief is felt.
If edema forms due to a pathology in the human body, then it can appear at any time of the day. Eliminating such a defect without the use of medications is not possible.
Each disease is characterized by certain symptoms:
Under no circumstances should you make a diagnosis yourself.
If a disorder occurs, it is best to consult a specialist to rule out serious disorders in the body and choose the right method of therapy.
To begin with, you can contact a therapist, who will then, if necessary, involve specialized specialists: a cardiologist, nephrologist, endocrinologist, angiosurgeon.
In order to get rid of swollen legs, it is first necessary to eliminate the underlying disease. To get rid of accumulated fluid in the lower extremities, the use of diuretics and medications that improve microcirculation is prescribed.
In order to alleviate the condition at home, you can use simple tips that will help reduce swelling in the legs:
Swelling can also be reduced using traditional medicine methods. Taking a diuretic mixture, which consists of birch buds, horsetail and knotweed, has a positive effect. In addition, decoctions of flaxseed and elderberries have the same effect.
But do not forget that the use of any medicine, even traditional medicine, requires consultation with a specialist. Pregnant women and people who suffer from heart, kidney or metabolic diseases should be especially careful when taking various medications.
There are certain methods that help prevent the occurrence of edema:
Reducing the amount of fluid you drink cannot always help eliminate swelling; for this, first of all, you need to consult a doctor. After all, this approach can lead to dehydration of the body.
The optimal amount of water to drink per day is considered to be one and a half to two liters for an adult with a moderate lifestyle.
If you have active strength training in your life, then you need to increase the amount of fluid you drink.
When the foot is swollen and hurts, what to treat depends on what caused the symptoms. As a rule, the legs become swollen and painful when there is excessive stress on them.
Many times we don’t even think that such a harmless reason is not always the provocateur of pain.
Thus, a rather dangerous disease can develop in this area, which, if not treated in a timely manner, can cause serious complications.
The following causes can be identified, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as swelling, pain and burning in the feet:
This disease is characterized by insufficient levels of hormones produced by the thyroid gland in the body. Swelling and burning in the feet are the main signs of the disease, which differ from similar symptoms in renal or hepatic pathologies.
There are primary, secondary and tertiary types of hypothyroidism. The primary type is the most common form of the disease, which occurs with autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland, chronic iodine deficiency, and congenital malformations of the thyroid gland.
The secondary type is a consequence of a disease of the pituitary gland, when insufficient levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the body cause disruption of the functioning of the thyroid gland and the appearance of such symptoms.
The tertiary type of the disease is the result of damage to the hypothalamus, which is involved in the activity of the pituitary gland.
A distinctive feature of this cause of edema is the appearance of symptoms not only in the feet, but also in other areas, for example, a specific area on the arms, legs, or face is swollen and painful.
The initial stage of the disease is characterized by mild swelling, which a person mistakes for excess weight.
Later, when the swelling spreads to the face, the person begins to think and consult a doctor.
Treatment for this cause is quite lengthy. First of all, the endocrinologist prescribes those drugs that maintain the level of thyroid hormones in the body.
Such drugs are prescribed strictly on an individual basis.
When taking medications, the doctor monitors the pulse, finds out if there are complaints of cardiac discomfort, and takes measures to determine the level of cholesterol in the body.
Taking into account the causes of this condition and the general state of health, the doctor may prescribe medications for both short-term and lifelong use. Only correct and timely treatment of hypothyroidism will help eliminate symptoms and restore ability to work.
The feet may become swollen and painful due to prolonged use or overdose of medications. That is why it is important to coordinate the use of any medications with your doctor and first of all read the instructions before use.
Fluid retention in the body, which manifests itself as swelling in the extremities, can be observed from taking many medications, including sex hormones (male and female).
For women, sex hormones are needed as protection against unwanted pregnancy, as well as for the treatment of diseases. In the latter case, estrogen and progesterone are often prescribed.
For men, progesterone is necessary, which is indicated for impaired potency and in the presence of excess weight. It is not recommended to exceed the dosage of the drug.
A foot bone fracture is a violation of the integrity of the foot, which is accompanied by symptoms such as swelling and hematoma, as well as pain in the damaged area, radiating to nearby parts of the limb.
Swelling of the damaged area can be quite long-lasting and result not only from poor blood flow, but also from a violation of the integrity of the ligament and muscle tissue.
Since a dislocation causes severe pain in the injured area, this causes limited mobility.
If an open, intra-articular, comminuted or displaced type of injury is diagnosed, swelling will be localized not only in the injured area, but throughout the entire surface of the foot.
Also, the cause of swelling in case of a fracture of the foot is the plaster removed from it. In this case, the skin surface remains undamaged.
In medicine, this phenomenon is called “lymphostasis” - this is a consequence of impaired lymph outflow.
Only a doctor can determine what can be done in this situation, as well as prescribe treatment for the underlying cause - a bone fracture. Self-medication of edema in fractures is strictly prohibited, since each drug can cause an adverse reaction and also has its own contraindications.
It’s easy to get a dislocation: all you need to do is place your foot poorly on a support. The main danger of a dislocation is the possibility of it becoming chronic, especially if treatment is started at the wrong time.
In addition to pain and swelling of the foot, the following symptoms also occur: redness of the skin over the site of the dislocation, inflammation, and limited mobility. At the moment of injury, you can hear a characteristic click, which indicates a dislocation of the bone.
What to do to eliminate swelling and pain? First of all, you need to consult a doctor to assess the severity of the injury, after which he will prescribe appropriate treatment.
First aid is to apply cold to the damaged area, which will help eliminate swelling.
After the cold compress, it is necessary to apply an elastic bandage so that before the ambulance arrives, you do not further injure the foot.
Very often the feet hurt and begin to swell during a period such as pregnancy. This happens due to the accumulation of more fluid in the body than usual. In addition, the situation can be aggravated by increased pressure in the veins of the extremities and heaviness in the area where the baby is located and growing.
The opinion of some doctors is that the feet may swell due to the production of a hormone that impairs vascular elasticity. There are other reasons.
So, you can notice that the foot or both feet are swollen due to excess sodium content in the woman’s body.
The feet become very painful and swollen when exposed to certain aggravating factors, for example, smoking, hot weather, excessive consumption of spicy and salty foods.
Some foot swelling during pregnancy is considered normal and does not require treatment.
These include: a symptom in the 3rd trimester, a symptom that occurs in the area of the legs and feet in the evening.
More dangerous manifestations during pregnancy are: swelling of only one foot with redness of the skin, swelling of other parts of the body, headache with swelling, a symptom that occurs in the 1st trimester.
What to do in such cases? First of all, swelling can be eliminated only after getting rid of its cause.
If swelling is a natural phenomenon, not pathological, then it will go away within about two days after birth.
There are also special recommendations, following which you can reduce the intensity of the symptom, and sometimes even prevent it: