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What Causes Swelling In Legs?

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Posted on Wed, 8 Jun 2016
Question: I have bloated legs. What could cause that? I had knee surgery in December, but both legs are affected.
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Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I would explain that swollen legs could be related to different causes:

- excessive fluid retention (possible heart failure, renal disease or liver disease)
- venous insufficiency. In such case the leg swelling is more prominent after standing up for a long time or walking.

The knee surgery does not seem to be related to this symptomatology.

I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing some tests to investigate for the possible cause:

- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac function and structure
- a chest X ray study
- some blood lab tests (complete blood count, blood electrolytes, liver and kidney function tests, fasting glucose)
- urine analysis for proteinuria

If suspicions of venous insufficiency or varicous veins are raised during physical activity, a Doppler ultrasound of the leg veins should be performed too.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.

Hope to have been helpful!

Best wishes,

Dr. Iliri
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9536 Questions

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What Causes Swelling In Legs?

Brief Answer: I would explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM! I would explain that swollen legs could be related to different causes: - excessive fluid retention (possible heart failure, renal disease or liver disease) - venous insufficiency. In such case the leg swelling is more prominent after standing up for a long time or walking. The knee surgery does not seem to be related to this symptomatology. I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing some tests to investigate for the possible cause: - a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac function and structure - a chest X ray study - some blood lab tests (complete blood count, blood electrolytes, liver and kidney function tests, fasting glucose) - urine analysis for proteinuria If suspicions of venous insufficiency or varicous veins are raised during physical activity, a Doppler ultrasound of the leg veins should be performed too. You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests. Hope to have been helpful! Best wishes, Dr. Iliri