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What Causes Left Ankle Swelling Along With Back Pain?
Question: My mother 93 ....5 ft...110 lbs...for years has been diagnosed with PVD, and has had left ankle swelling on and on. She hasnt moved around and walked much in the last few months due to back pain which is better.... But for the last 2 weeks, has developed left leg pitting edema all the way from toes to left knee. .. and the skin is rough feeling .... and some on right foot too, not as much. Elevation helps just a little. It is better in the morning after she sleeps, but returns after she moves around, but the swelling is some better ....Last Thursday she was prescribed Lasix 20 mg, to get fluid off leg, and support compression socks. We havent purchased the sox yet. Her dermatologist saw her and gave her ointment for skin called betamethazone dipropionate 0.05% to prevent inflamation. Mom has one kidney . She has been urinating much more . Please Comment on her treatment and what else would be good to get that fluid off the legs.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I passed carefully passed through your question and would explain that her symptoms could be related to different possible disorders: chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs or increased fluid retention (heart failure, kidney or liver dysfunction). A deep vein thrombosis can not be excluded either, although she has no pain this leg.
Coming to this point, I would recommend performing some tests to investigate for the possible causes:
-a Doppler ultrasound of the leg vessels to investigate for possible chronic venous insufficiency or deep vein thrombosis
-a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound to examine her heart function and structure
- NT-pro BNP levels for heart failure.
-a chest X ray study
- kidney and liver function tests
- blood electrolytes
- a urine analysis.
Meanwhile, I agree with her doctor's recommendation on starting Lasix, as it help reduce the leg swelling and also reduce the fluid retention. The compression stocks are also very helpful in reducing the leg swelling.
Regarding the increased frequency in urination, it could be related to Lasix intake, as it is a diuretic (if she has started it). Otherwise, if she has not started Lasix, increased urination could be a sign of urinary tract infection or kidney dysfunction.
You should discuss with her doctor on the above tests.
If chronic venous insufficiency is diagnosed, anti-platelet therapy would be necessary. In case of deep venous thrombosis, anticoagulation therapy would be needed.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask me again!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I passed carefully passed through your question and would explain that her symptoms could be related to different possible disorders: chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs or increased fluid retention (heart failure, kidney or liver dysfunction). A deep vein thrombosis can not be excluded either, although she has no pain this leg.
Coming to this point, I would recommend performing some tests to investigate for the possible causes:
-a Doppler ultrasound of the leg vessels to investigate for possible chronic venous insufficiency or deep vein thrombosis
-a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound to examine her heart function and structure
- NT-pro BNP levels for heart failure.
-a chest X ray study
- kidney and liver function tests
- blood electrolytes
- a urine analysis.
Meanwhile, I agree with her doctor's recommendation on starting Lasix, as it help reduce the leg swelling and also reduce the fluid retention. The compression stocks are also very helpful in reducing the leg swelling.
Regarding the increased frequency in urination, it could be related to Lasix intake, as it is a diuretic (if she has started it). Otherwise, if she has not started Lasix, increased urination could be a sign of urinary tract infection or kidney dysfunction.
You should discuss with her doctor on the above tests.
If chronic venous insufficiency is diagnosed, anti-platelet therapy would be necessary. In case of deep venous thrombosis, anticoagulation therapy would be needed.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask me again!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr what is "anti platelet therapy." And
Does the lasix effect my mom diffetently since she has one kidney?
Thank you
Does the lasix effect my mom diffetently since she has one kidney?
Thank you
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Anti-platelet therapy is a blood thinner, like aspirin.
Anticoagulation therapy is another type of blood thinner like warfarin.
Regarding Lasix, it is quite safe in her clinical situation, even though she has only one kidney. There is no contraindication to Lasix.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Anti-platelet therapy is a blood thinner, like aspirin.
Anticoagulation therapy is another type of blood thinner like warfarin.
Regarding Lasix, it is quite safe in her clinical situation, even though she has only one kidney. There is no contraindication to Lasix.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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