“Lower leg swollen?”
My left leg from the knee down to the top of the foot is swollen to more than twice the normal size. When I press or squeeze it, it becomes very sore. It's been swollen for a week now and I'm getting worried about gangrene. The top of the foot and just above the ankle is bright red and looks like it's hot, but it's not really. I was told it was inflammation but not how to shrink it back down and what caused it. I gained about 15 lbs. but that is around my middle so I don't know if it's the reason.
Male | 70 years old
Complaint duration: 10 days
Medications: 0
2 Answers
If it’s one leg only, most likely venous thrombosis or infection. Venous blockage from any source can cause it. If both legs, heart and kidney problems can cause it. Gangrene is not an immediate concern. Seek urgent medical attention! Elevate leg above heart level in meantime.
That could be a DVT (deep blood clot) that can be deadly. To rule it out, I would order an ultrasound on it at an outpatient imaging place. Other possible reasons are:
1. Bad blood flow in your leg (unlikely, that is a 20-year process)
2. Exposure to covid. Regardless if you had it or not. Doesn't matter.
There is a microclotting issue that is not fully understood. I saw a 40-year-old female for this same problem. She refused to go to the ER during the pandemic. I had her take 2 aspirin every 4 hrs, her paramedic friend updated me with vitals overnight. She won! No DVT! No ER! It went down after 2-3 days. Get a blood pressure monitor (someone else don't drive) to make sure. If it starts to reach 170 systolic, then have someone drive you to the ER. Once it hits 200, ambulance is the only safe way. Do the aspirin, absolutely do not do the gas pedal motion on that foot. If there is a DVT that motion will knock the clot loose. Get an ultrasound.
Traci Fritz, MD
1. Bad blood flow in your leg (unlikely, that is a 20-year process)
2. Exposure to covid. Regardless if you had it or not. Doesn't matter.
There is a microclotting issue that is not fully understood. I saw a 40-year-old female for this same problem. She refused to go to the ER during the pandemic. I had her take 2 aspirin every 4 hrs, her paramedic friend updated me with vitals overnight. She won! No DVT! No ER! It went down after 2-3 days. Get a blood pressure monitor (someone else don't drive) to make sure. If it starts to reach 170 systolic, then have someone drive you to the ER. Once it hits 200, ambulance is the only safe way. Do the aspirin, absolutely do not do the gas pedal motion on that foot. If there is a DVT that motion will knock the clot loose. Get an ultrasound.
Traci Fritz, MD
