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What Causes Fluid Retention In Ankle And Calf After A Back Surgery?
Question: My husband,71 years of age, just completed a 24 hour urine and it found a small amount of protein in his urine. He just had major back surgery one month ago and a week or so later he was retaining fluid in his one ankle and calf. He has always been on 40 mg of lasix as a precaution because he started to have slight swelling in his ankle about a year ago and iswas/is on amlodipine for high blood pressure as well as diovan.The swelling now is quite severe and the doctor has increased his lasix to up to 120 mg per day. It is helping, but thought this would give you some insight into why.
Brief Answer:
Amlodipine causes edema or swelling
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns.
Your husband has recently had surgery for back pain and a month later he has been having increased swelling of his ankles. I agree with your surgeon that the swelling is not caused from the surgery. Usually if he is going to have swelling from the surgery it would be within a few days after surgery. Early swelling could be from a blood clot forming in his ankle after surgery but his symptoms started too far out from the surgery.
The 24 hour urine test is for testing not only protein but overall kidney function. The small amount of protein is not significant enough to cause the swelling. It sounds like his overall kidney function is good.
I would be more concerned that the swelling is from his medication amlodipine. Amlodipine can cause swelling and not be the result of heart problems of fluid overload. Taking Lasix may help a bit to reduce swelling but to truly get the swelling to resolve he may need to stop the amlodipine. Taking extra Lasix will not resolve the swelling. Only reducing or stopping the amlodipine will reduce the swelling.
I hope this answers your question. Please contact me again with any additional information you may think will help.
Amlodipine causes edema or swelling
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns.
Your husband has recently had surgery for back pain and a month later he has been having increased swelling of his ankles. I agree with your surgeon that the swelling is not caused from the surgery. Usually if he is going to have swelling from the surgery it would be within a few days after surgery. Early swelling could be from a blood clot forming in his ankle after surgery but his symptoms started too far out from the surgery.
The 24 hour urine test is for testing not only protein but overall kidney function. The small amount of protein is not significant enough to cause the swelling. It sounds like his overall kidney function is good.
I would be more concerned that the swelling is from his medication amlodipine. Amlodipine can cause swelling and not be the result of heart problems of fluid overload. Taking Lasix may help a bit to reduce swelling but to truly get the swelling to resolve he may need to stop the amlodipine. Taking extra Lasix will not resolve the swelling. Only reducing or stopping the amlodipine will reduce the swelling.
I hope this answers your question. Please contact me again with any additional information you may think will help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you very much for your advice. This is a wonderful service. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
your welcome
Detailed Answer:
If you have any further questions please contact HCM again.
your welcome
Detailed Answer:
If you have any further questions please contact HCM again.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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