What causes one leg to swell
21 Common Causes & Treatment of Swollen Legs or Calves
Written by Nancy Fitzgerald
Have you noticed lately that your socks are tight and your pants feel snug? Your legs swell for two main reasons:
- Fluid buildup (edema): It happens when the tissues or blood vessels in your legs hold more fluid than they should. This can happen if you simply spend a long day on your feet or sit for too long. But it may also be a sign that you’re overweight or don’t get enough exercise, or of more serious medical conditions.
- Inflammation: It happens when the tissues in your legs get irritated and swollen. It’s a natural response if you break a bone or tear a tendon or ligament, but it also may be a sign of a more serious inflammatory illness, like arthritis.
Things That Cause Fluid Buildup
Several things can lead to extra fluid, or edema, in one leg, or both:
Congestive heart failure: This happens when your heart is too weak to pump all the blood your body needs. It leads to fluid buildup, especially in your legs. Other symptoms of congestive heart failure:
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Tiredness
- Cough
Learn more about heart failure symptoms.
Vein Issues
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and thrombophlebitis: If you have DVT, it means there's a blood clot in a vein in your leg. It could break off and travel to your lung. When that happens, it's called a pulmonary embolism, and it can be life-threatening.
In thrombophlebitis, also called superficial thrombophlebitis, clots form closer to the surface of the skin and aren't likely to break off.
One of the first symptoms of DVT or thrombophlebitis is one swollen leg (especially the calf), as blood pools in the area. Check with your doctor right away if you have swelling in one leg or any of these other symptoms:
- Leg pain, tenderness, or cramping
- Skin that's tinged red or blue
- Skin that feels warm
Learn more about blood clots in veins.
Varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency: You get these conditions when the valves inside your leg veins don't keep the blood flowing up toward your heart. Instead, it backs up and collects in pools, causing bluish clusters of varicose veins on your skin. Sometimes, they can make your legs swell.
Some other symptoms might include:
- Pain after sitting or standing for a long time
- Changes in skin color -- you might see clumps of red or purple veins, or the skin on your lower legs might look brown
- Dry, irritated, cracked skin
- Sores
- Achy legs
Learn more about symptoms of varicose veins.
Kidney Problems
Long-term kidney disease happens when your kidneys don't work the way they should. Instead of filtering water and waste material from your blood, fluid gathers in your body, which causes swelling in your arms and legs.
You may also notice symptoms like these:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Too much thirst
- Bruising and bleeding
Acute kidney failure -- when your kidneys suddenly stop working -- can also cause swollen legs, ankles, and feet.
But it usually happens when you’re hospitalized with other problems. Learn more about acute kidney failure symptoms and causes.
Medications
Sometimes, swelling can be an unwelcome side effect of prescription drugs. The medications most likely to cause swollen legs include:
- Heart medicines called calcium channel blockers are often to blame:
- Amlodipine (Norvasc)
- Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Afeditab CR, Nifediac CC, Nifedical XL, Procardia)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
- Celecoxib (Celebrex)
- Certain diabetes drugs, including metformin
- Hormone medications containing estrogen or progesterone
- Some antidepressants
Call your doctor if you take any of these drugs and get swollen lower limbs. Learn more about common medication side effects.
Pregnancy
By the third trimester, your growing baby puts pressure on the veins in your legs.
This slows the circulation of your blood and causes fluid to build up. The result: mild swelling.
If you notice these other symptoms as well, let your doctor know because it might mean you have a serious condition called preeclampsia:
- Severe swelling, especially around your eyes
- Bad headache
- Vision changes, like blurriness or sensitivity to light
If, during the last trimester or soon after delivery, you have swollen legs and shortness of breath, talk to your doctor about a condition called peripartum cardiomyopathy, a type of heart failure related to pregnancy. Learn more about swelling and other discomforts during pregnancy.
Things That Cause Inflammation
If fluid buildup isn’t to blame for your swollen legs, it could be inflammation. Common causes include:
Arthritis and Other Joint Problems
Several diseases and conditions can make your legs swell:
- Gout: A sudden painful attack caused by uric acid crystals in your joints that usually follows drinking heavily or eating rich foods.
Learn more about the symptoms of gout. - Knee bursitis: Inflammation in a bursa, a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bone and muscle, skin, or tendon. Learn how to treat knee bursitis.
- Osteoarthritis: The wear and tear type that erodes cartilage. Learn more about osteoarthritis symptoms.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: A disease where your immune system attacks tissues in your joints. Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis.
Injuries -- Strains, Sprains, and Broken Bones
If you twist your ankle or break a bone, you'll likely get some swelling. It's your body's natural reaction to the injury. It moves fluid and white blood cells into the area and releases chemicals that help you heal.
Some of the most common injuries are:
Achilles tendon rupture: This is your body’s largest tendon. It connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. It’s what helps you walk, run, and jump.
If it tears, you might hear a pop then feel a sharp pain in the back of your ankle and lower leg. You probably won’t be able to walk. Learn more about Achilles tendon injuries.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear: Your ACL runs diagonally across the front of your knee and holds the bones of your lower leg in place. When it tears, you’ll hear a pop and your knee may give out. It’ll also be painful and swollen. Learn more about ACL injuries.
Cellulitis: This serious infection happens when bacteria like streptococcus and staphylococcus get in through a crack in your skin. It’s most common in your lower leg. Other symptoms include:
- A red area of skin that gets bigger
- Tenderness
- Pain
- Warmth
- Fever
- Red spots
- Blisters
- Dimpled skin
Cellulitis can spread through your body quickly. Go to the ER if you have:
- A fever
- A red, swollen, tender rash that changes rapidly
See your doctor as soon as you can (the same day is best) if you have:
- A swollen, red, tender, expanding rash but no fever.
Learn more about cellulitis symptoms and causes.
Infection or wound: Anytime you get a cut, scrape, or more serious wound, your body rushes fluid and white blood cells to the area. That causes swelling. If it lasts longer than 2-3 weeks, see a doctor.
If the wound gets infected, you could have more swelling. Swelling is normal for a few days. It should peak around day 2 and start to improve. If you have diabetes or another condition that affects your immune system, see your doctor. Learn more about the signs of a skin infection.
What Should I Do About My Swollen Legs?
You can try these home remedies to ease the swelling:
- Cut back on salty foods.
- Wear compression stockings.
- Get exercise every day.
- On long car rides, switch positions and stop for breaks as often as you can.
- When you fly, get up from your seat and move around as much as possible.
- Raise your legs above your heart level for half an hour, several times a day.
But since leg swelling can be a sign of something serious, don't ignore it. If you notice other symptoms, especially leg pain, shortness of breath, or extreme fatigue, call your doctor right away.
Why Do My Legs Hurt? 11 Causes of Lower Leg Pain and Sore Calves
Written by Annie Stuart
In this Article
- Bones, Joints, and Muscles
- Veins and Clots
- Lower Leg Pain: Nerves
The lower parts of your legs take the brunt of your day-to-day life. You shouldn’t have to be in pain, though.
Medical treatments can help if your doctor says you have a condition like leg cramps, blood clots, or issues with the nerves. But you can do things at home that help, too.
Bones, Joints, and Muscles
Muscle cramp. It can strike in your sleep or in the middle of the day. This sudden, tight, intense lower leg pain is sometimes called a "charley horse." When it takes a grip, it can get worse quickly. It happens when your muscles are tired or dehydrated.
Drink more water if you're prone to leg cramps.
It might help to gently stretch or massage the area where your muscle has tensed up. Stretch your legs properly before you exercise, too.
Shin splints. You can feel this pain right up the front of your calf. The muscles and flesh along the edge of the shin bone become inflamed, so it hurts to walk, run, or jump. Doing activity over and over on hard surfaces can bring this on. You may also be more likely to get shin splints if you have flat feet or your feet turn outward.
Rest your legs to feel better. Ice helps. So can anti-inflammatory meds such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, if your doctor says these are safe for you. You can buy them over the counter.
You might want to see your doctor if the pain stays. Try not to do anything that makes your leg hurt more. Once it feels a little better, do some stretches. The next time out, wear comfortable, supportive shoes. And don't run on hard surfaces if possible.
Tendinitis. One of the first warning signs you have an inflamed Achilles tendon is pain in your lower calf, near the back of your heel. It’s a common injury that makes the tendon swell, stretch, or tear. You can get it from overworking the calf muscle or climbing the stairs. It might stick around for a long time, too.
Apply ice to get some relief. Or take anti-inflammatories if your doctor says they're okay for you. Avoid doing anything that causes pain. When it hurts less, stretch and strengthen your leg.
If your pain feels severe, your Achilles tendon may be torn. Another possible sign of a tear is having trouble pointing your toe downward. Your doctor may inject medicine into the inflamed area. You might need surgery to repair the damage.
Broken bones or sprains. Say you twist your ankle and get a mild sprain. Try the RICE treatment: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
For a more severe sprain or a broken bone (fracture), apply ice and see your doctor right away.
You may need a cast or brace. You may also need physical therapy.
It will take time, but gradually you'll be able to walk comfortably, again. Go slow as you gradually increase your strength and put weight on the injured leg.
Veins and Clots
Blood clot. When your blood thickens in a vein and clumps together, it can turn into a clot. One that develops in a vein deep in the body is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Most deep-vein blood clots happen in the lower leg or thigh. They're more likely to happen if you're inactive for long periods, like on a long flight or car ride. You're also at risk if you're overweight, or you smoke, or take certain medications.
There's a chance a clot could break off into your bloodstream and travel to an artery in the lungs. If so, it could block blood flow. This is a serious condition called pulmonary embolism.
If you think you might have a blood clot, go to your doctor or emergency room right away.
Medications, support stockings, and weight loss are types of treatments to help you avoid getting clots.
Varicose veins. You might be familiar with these, because you can see them at the surface of the skin. They appear to be twisted, dark blue or purple veins, and are caused by weak valves and vein walls. They may cause a dull ache, especially after standing.
Try support stockings to relieve the pain. And throughout the day, switch between standing and sitting. See your doctor about other types of treatment if your varicose veins are very painful.
Lower-extremity peripheral arterial disease. This can happen when the arteries in your legs become damaged and hardened. When your arteries narrow or become blocked, your legs miss out on the blood flow they need. That can cause your lower leg to cramp and feel pain when you walk, climb stairs, or do other kinds of exercise, because muscles aren't getting enough blood.
Resting helps. But if your arteries become severely narrowed or blocked, the pain may persist, even when you rest. Also, wounds may not heal well.
You're more likely to get this condition if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or you smoke or are obese.
Fix it with a change of lifestyle:
- If you smoke, quit.
- Eat healthier.
- Manage your weight.
- Exercise.
Other treatments include medications to control cholesterol, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Some people need surgery to improve blood flow to the area.
Lower Leg Pain: Nerves
The source of some pain is problems with your nerves.
Narrowed spinal canal (stenosis) and sciatica. A common cause of a narrowed spinal canal is arthritis of the spine. Sometimes a herniated disc puts pressure on nearby nerve roots, which can lead to symptoms of sciatica, such as:
- Burning, cramping leg pain when standing or sitting
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Fatigue
- Weakness
Pain may begin in your back and hip, then later extend down into your leg. Rest is often the cure for other pains of the leg, but not this one.
It doesn’t help sciatica.
Treatment may involve resting for a few days, along with taking anti-inflammatories and pain medications. Cold and heat can help with some symptoms. Physical therapy and stretching exercises are often useful. Gradually increase movement over time. Your doctor may also recommend other treatments or surgery if your pain doesn't get better.
Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes. Nerves can be damaged from high blood sugar levels. It can cause pain in both of your legs along with numbness and less sensation in the lower legs.
Talk to your doctor about medications to control the pain and help manage your blood sugar levels.
Next Article
Causes of swelling of the legs and what to do about it
Many people think that swelling of the legs is nothing to worry about. That it is the result of fatigue or overexertion. But if swelling occurs regularly, you need to pay attention to it.
After all, they can signal various diseases: from kidney problems to varicose veins.
"My legs are swollen..."
Such a complaint can often be heard in the doctor's office: according to statistics, almost 90% of the world's population is faced with this problem. Edema can be pronounced or subtle, people often ask what to do if the legs are swollen below or what to do if the leg is swollen and hurts. Since there can be many causes of edema, the first thing to do with edema is to consult a doctor. He will make an accurate diagnosis, and we will try to comment on the questions that patients have if their leg is swollen.
Edema usually affects women and rarely occurs in men. Why is this happening?
Indeed, there are several factors that explain why women are more likely to swell their legs below. The first is the wrong shoes. Women are more likely to make "sacrifices for the sake of beauty", wearing uncomfortable but fashionable shoes, or too high heels.
All this disrupts the venous outflow, which ultimately leads to edema. The second important factor is regular fluctuations in hormonal levels: many women note that edema is associated with the phase of the cycle. And of course, edema is accompanied by pregnancy: at this time, blood circulation becomes difficult, the hormonal background changes, often expectant mothers allow themselves to deviate from proper nutrition.
Edema often develops on both legs. But sometimes it swells, for example, only the foot of the left leg. What is it connected with?
There are a number of diseases or conditions in which only one leg swells. First of all, these are various injuries - sprains, dislocations, damage to the ligaments: in this case, only the injured leg swells. Also, unilateral edema is accompanied by diseases such as venous thrombosis or lymphedema. In any case, to clarify the causes of edema, you need to consult a doctor.
The most common cause of swelling in the legs is a malfunction of the kidneys.
Various pathologies of the kidneys often cause swelling of the legs. "Kidney" edema is mild, intensifies if you spend a lot of time on your feet. The reason that the legs swell more in the evening is that the liquid is usually not excreted from the body at night.
However, the condition of the kidneys is not the only factor affecting swelling. Some diseases of the liver (such as cirrhosis) or the cardiovascular system are also accompanied by fluid retention. For example, in heart failure, the leg from the knee to the foot may swell. In diseases of the liver, swelling of the ankles is more common.
Swelling of the legs often appears if there are problems with the vessels. You need to use ointments and creams that strengthen blood vessels, and this will reduce swelling.
Vascular problems, and in particular varicose veins, really cause leg swelling. The veins cease to perform their function 100%, the blood stagnates in the vessels, the liquid begins to penetrate into the surrounding tissue, causing swelling.
Discomfort increases at the end of the day, in the early stages of varicose veins, swelling disappears after a night's rest. As the disease progresses, edema also worsens, accompanied by painful sensations.
However, the independent use of vascular-strengthening creams and ointments will not relieve you of edema. The use of external agents helps to achieve temporary improvement, but the root cause - varicose veins cannot be cured in this way. To cope with this disease is possible only with the help of a doctor.
The leg is swollen and hurts, what should I do?
As is clear from the answers to the previous questions, you need to contact a specialist. Only a doctor can accurately determine the cause that leads to swelling of the legs. If swelling occurs only occasionally, then here are some tips for those who want to keep their feet healthy:
- Wear comfortable shoes. High heels are beautiful, but not conducive to health. If you want to avoid swelling, then for daily wear, choose shoes with heels no higher than 3-5 cm.
- Follow your doctor's advice if you are prescribed to wear compression stockings. It helps to establish normal blood circulation, it is very important to wear compression stockings or stockings if you have a long journey or flight.
- If you sit or stand for a long time during the day, change position, do gymnastics during the day, walk. This will help improve blood circulation.
- Watch your weight. Excess body weight also contributes to the formation of edema.
what is the reason and what will help
08 July 2020 12:17
On the air of the Russia 1 TV channel, rehabilitation doctor Sergei Agapkin and obstetrician-gynecologist, head of the Center for Gynecology, Reproductive and Aesthetic Medicine Ekaterina Zhumanova told what to do with edema (and, first of all, with swelling of the legs), and how to understand, in than their cause.
On the TV channel "Russia 1" doctor-rehabilitator Sergey Agapkin and obstetrician-gynecologist, head of the Center for Gynecology, Reproductive and Aesthetic Medicine Ekaterina Zhumanova told what to do with edema, and first of all - with swelling of the legs, and how to understand, in than their cause.
For some, doctors say, it is enough to lift up - throw your legs over your head, for someone - to drink more water. However, if such simple tips do not help, there are reasons for this.
Agapkin explains that the appearance of edema is always based on some conditions that make it difficult to remove fluid from the body. And leg swelling is no exception.
Ekaterina Zhumanova, for her part, says that women should not attribute everything to hormonal changes (including menopause).
First of all, edema occurs with excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle.
However, at childbearing age, adds Agapkin, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can lead to such consequences.
Among the possible causes of edema are also ovarian dysfunction, impaired lymph flow, thrombosis.
In this case, there is only one recommendation: go to the doctor, take a blood test and do an ultrasound of the veins of the lower extremities in order to understand if there are any problems with the venous outflow.
Another cause of edema is kidney failure, says Dr. Agapkin.
Doctor Zhumanova adds that she (as well as kidney problems in general) is characterized by swelling of the face.
In this case, you need to take a urine test to determine if there are problems with the kidneys.
If they exist, the expert explains, then only raising your legs and drinking more will not help in this case - this is treated in a completely different way.
It is very difficult to figure this out on your own, Zhumanova adds.
Experts explain: if edema does not occur every day (for example, when it is hot, you sat more, moved less, or this is clearly the second phase of the cycle), then most likely this is some kind of physiological process that can be controlled.
