Swelling of the left leg in the foot

Causes of swelling of the left leg from the knee to the foot and methods of treatment

The reasons why the left leg swells from the knee to the foot require careful study. Most often, edema develops due to the accumulation of fluid in the tissues. Ignoring the pathological process that provoked swelling can cause serious complications.

Why is my left leg swollen?

Conventionally, all causes of swelling of the left leg can be divided into two groups: those caused by pathologies of internal organs and those not associated with dysfunction of the systems.

Diseases that provoke edema

1. Pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Sharply developing swelling of one foot is a sign of dysfunction of the heart or liver. The rhythm of the heart muscle is disrupted, heart failure develops, the speed of blood movement through the vessels decreases, and as a result, swelling of the left side from the knee to the foot occurs.
2. Varicose veins Weakening the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels and blockage of the veins provokes stagnation of blood and the development of edema.
3. Pregnancy may be the answer to the question of why the left leg at the ankle swells in women. In the later stages of pregnancy, edema can signal the development of a dangerous condition for the child and mother - gestosis.
4. Hoffa's disease is an inflammatory process of the fatty tissue surrounding the knee joint. In addition to swelling below the knee, there is sharp pain when walking and a feeling of weakness when supporting the limb. Hoffa's disease most often develops in athletes due to excessive stress on the legs and injuries.

Causes of swelling of the left leg not related to diseases

Edema is not a disease, but a symptom of impaired blood flow in the tissues of the lower extremities. In addition to diseases, such disorders can be caused by the following reasons:

prolonged physical activity on the limbs is a common reason why the left leg below the knee swells;

incorrectly selected shoes;

excessive consumption of salty, sour and spicy foods;

uncontrolled use of medications;

excess body weight.

Important: regardless of the severity of swelling of the left leg and the reasons why one leg swells and the other does not, treatment can only be determined by a doctor.

Characteristic symptoms of swelling of the left foot are:

• swelling of the skin, upon palpation a dent remains;
• gloss, redness of the skin at the site of swelling.

Also, depending on the cause that provoked swelling of the leg from the knee to the foot, the clinical picture of the pathology can be supplemented by the following signs:

1. Shortness of breath and fatigue are symptoms that occur with heart disease. Blood stagnation occurs and, as a result, swelling of the joints of the left leg below the knee.
2. Pain in the kidney area and high temperature are characteristic of most renal pathologies.
3. Swelling and pain in the left leg, which occurs mainly in the evening, are most often provoked by problems with the veins and vessels of the lower limb.
4. Swelling of only the left foot and a feeling of stiffness in the knee joint are characteristic of the disease rheumatism.
5. Lower back pain and swelling may indicate liver disease.

First aid for swelling of the left leg in the ankle

The left leg is swollen at the bottom, and the ankle is red - this situation requires medical attention (and as soon as possible). Only a doctor can accurately determine the cause of pain and swelling and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Some first aid techniques will help to alleviate the patient’s condition before being examined by a doctor:

6. try to move around less;
7. rest in a reclining position, with your leg slightly raised;
8. reduce fluid intake to a minimum (no more than half a liter of clean water per day);
9. Avoid drinking carbonated drinks, alcohol, salty, smoked and spicy foods;
10. Massaging a swollen left leg will help quickly relieve pain in the foot and temporarily alleviate the general condition.

Calling an ambulance for swelling of the left leg is necessary if:

• swelling occurred suddenly and for no apparent reason;
• simultaneously with swelling of the left limb, dizziness, loss of consciousness, and difficulty breathing develop.

Treatment of swelling of the left leg from the knee to the foot

Only a doctor can determine the cause and treatment methods for swelling of the left foot.

Traditionally, the algorithm of actions, how and how to treat swelling in the ankle of the left leg includes:

• massage;
• gymnastics;
• alternative medicine methods;
• complete rest.

Patients are also advised to take the following medications:

• phlebotonics (phlebofa, phlebaven, vasoket, etc.)—drugs whose action is aimed at strengthening the walls of blood vessels;
• anticoagulants (varvarin, etc.) - blood thinners;
• diuretics;
• External use agents that relieve pain, swelling and redness.

If swelling of the ankle or ankle of one leg is caused by varicose veins, the scheme of how to treat this pathology is supplemented with one more point - the use of compression garments.

Exercises to relieve swelling

Regardless of the reason that triggered the development of edema, doctors recommend combining traditional treatment methods with therapeutic exercises.

Easy-to-do exercises can be done at home on the floor or bed:

• Walking around the room on your toes (exercise duration five minutes).
• Rotate your feet clockwise and counterclockwise (at least ten times in each direction).
• Fixed position on toes (at least ten seconds).
• Use your toes to lift the pencil from the floor (several attempts).
• Finger movements (open and close).
• Exercise "scissors" - straight leg swings.
• Exercise “bicycle” - lying on your back, we make rotational movements, imitating riding a bicycle.

Traditional recipes for the treatment of unilateral edema of the lower extremities

Traditional recipes in combination with taking medications will help you quickly achieve positive results in the fight against swelling of the left foot.

The most effective folk methods of treatment:

11. Baths. Sea salt and a decoction of medicinal herbs are diluted in cool water. The feet are lowered into the bath for no more than fifteen minutes.

The following rules of prevention will help prevent the occurrence of swelling of the left leg in the lower part:

avoid stress, overwork and injury;

practice moderate physical activity;

choose shoes that fit properly;

control body weight, prevent obesity;

stop smoking and alcohol;

avoid prolonged, static body positions;

practice short breaks during the working day;

In order to strengthen blood vessels, consume vitamins E, C, B.

Regardless of the reason that provoked the swelling of the left foot, you should not despair. A timely visit to a doctor and strict implementation of all his recommendations, and this dangerous symptom of many diseases will pass without a trace.

Why might a person's right leg swell?

For what reason does a person's right leg swell? The attending physician will be able to answer this question after the necessary diagnostic measures have been carried out. A swollen leg is a seemingly trivial thing that people hardly pay attention to at first. But in the end, everything is much more serious than it seems. There are many reasons causing this pathology. Therefore, in each specific case, the doctor has to determine the cause.

What are the causes and treatment of leg swelling? Visually, when a person’s right leg swells, an enlargement of the limb is observed. If a person drinks large amounts of water, the swelling increases significantly. Swelling increases with increased physical activity, especially noticeable in the evening. The cause of edema is a violation of the outflow of lymph, which can occur for physiological reasons or as a result of mechanical obstacles. A large amount of fluid accumulates in the tissues, and the limb increases in size.

Phlebeurysm. Often the cause of this pathology is excess weight, physical inactivity, and excessive salt consumption. The first symptom of varicose veins is fatigue. Some patients may experience swelling of the right foot, but this particular symptom is very rare. Swelling may spread to the ankle and phalanges of the lower extremity.

Next, veins begin to appear on the skin. At this time, timely consultation with a doctor will help to avoid a large number of problems, namely a whole series of serious operations. In particularly advanced cases, circulatory disturbances in the limbs are observed. Any movement begins to cause severe pain. The skin darkens significantly, and long-term non-healing trophic ulcers begin to appear on the leg.

Thrombophlebitis. A fairly common cause of swelling of the extremities is thrombophlebitis. The essence of this disease is that a blood clot forms in a leg vein, which causes inflammation of the membrane. The patient will complain of tingling in the right leg, numbness, and swelling. The patient's general condition is rapidly deteriorating. The temperature rises and lasts for several days.

Lymphedema. This pathology is the result of a malfunction of the human body's immune system. Plasma accumulates intensively in the right limb. The blood begins to actively disinfect and return to the vessels. But some part remains in the form of edema due to disruption of the exchange between lymph and blood.

Myxedema. Myxedema is the result of a disruption of the endocrine system, in particular the thyroid gland. With this disease, swelling appears not only on the leg, but also on the face. The tumor involves the lower leg of the right leg, it swells greatly. The cause of this disease lies in genetic changes that lead to the formation of myxedema.

Infectious processes. Erysipelas is caused by specific streptococci. The pathology affects two legs at once. The disease is accompanied by swelling and severe pain. The surface of the legs, including the feet, is covered with red spots that have clear boundaries. The patient's temperature rises significantly.

Osteomyelitis. The inflammatory process that occurs in human bone tissue is called osteomyelitis. This pathology can also develop on the legs. The right leg swells if the process is localized specifically in the bones of this limb. The pathology is accompanied by very severe pain, coordination of movements is impaired. In this case, the body temperature of the sick person rises.

Other purulent lesions. Cellulitis, boils, carbuncles of the soft tissues of the right leg can also cause a tumor.

Arthritis is another condition that can cause swelling in the right leg. This pathology is twofold. The disease can be of infectious or non-infectious origin. The infection affects the joint at the time of injury or descends into the joint from other organs or systems of the body. The disease develops very quickly and begins with high fever and high fever. At the site of the lesion, severe redness of the skin is observed, accompanied by swelling.

The leg may swell due to the use of certain medications, which, by virtue of their action, retain water in the human body. This group of drugs includes glucocorticoids. Hormonal therapy can cause severe swelling. A large amount of these substances are contained in contraceptives.

Swelling of the right limb may be the first sign of liver cirrhosis. The death of liver cells is accompanied by impaired blood flow, resulting in swelling of the right limb. But edema of the limb in cirrhosis of the liver must be distinguished from the same edema in diseases of the kidneys and cardiovascular system. In case of cardiovascular failure or coronary heart disease, swelling usually increases in the evening, and in the morning after sleep it becomes significantly less.

In case of renal failure, leg swelling is accompanied by lower back pain. At the same time, the temperature rises and changes occur in the urine. Kidney problems may appear after a sore throat.