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What Causes Swelling, Dryness And Discoloured Skin On Lower Legs With Walking Difficulty?

Posted on Mon, 14 Sep 2015

Question: my husband's lower legs are extremely swollen, almost black in color, very dry and scaley, some scales in areas are very light green tint, often weep blood, feet are swollen, toenail fungus both feet, difficult to walk more than 20 feet. always uses an electric cart when at stores. VA doc just prescribes elevating feet and wear compression stockings. this has not helped. going on for years. says not gangrene. what treatment "should" he be getting.

Answered by Dr. Divakara (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Could be due to less blood flow.

Detailed Answer:
HI

Greetings from Dr.Divakara.P
Thanks for posting your query.

Well I feel your husbands problem is either due to less blood flow to his legs or due to skin problem.

Less blood flow can occurs due to fat accumulation in the blood vessels ( Atherosclerosis ) or due to incompetence of blood vessels ( Varicose Veins ) . A test called Arterial and Venous Doppler scan will detect these abnormalities Kindly get this scan done and revert back.

The other possibility is Skin Diseases like Psoariasis, Dermatitis , I need to see a picture of his leg. If possible kindly upload . If it is a skin disease then he needs to consult a Dermatologist. But first get the scan done .

Hope this information was useful to you.
Any clarification feel free to ask .

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Divakara (15 minutes later)

yes, it is Atherosclerosis. how do i upload a picture?

Answered by Dr. Divakara (23 hours later)

Brief Answer:
He needs to be started on Anti platelet medicine

Detailed Answer:
HI

Thanks for the information.

Well if it is atherosclerosis , we need to seen how much of blood vessels is blocked . If it is significant then he needs to undergo a stent placement in the blocked blood vessels. But if the blockage is not significant he can use Anti platelet medication like Ecospirin.

I still recommend him to get Doppler scan done and if it shows Arterial blockage get a Angiogram of leg vessels done.

There is an option to upload the picture . Kindly contact our Administrator.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Divakara (2 hours later)

my final question is should my husband be seeing a particular specialist (what type?) for this condition to receive proper treatment? it looks like cellular necrosis and he will most likely lose his legs if this is so which we want to prevent.

thank you
(picture attached)

Answered by Dr. Divakara (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not yet necrosed.

Detailed Answer:
HI

I went though the picture . No it is not necrosed yet but it may become necrosed if not intervened.

I would recommend you to consult a Vascular Surgeon for this problem.

Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar