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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Swelling In The Ankles And Calves?

I m having issues with my feet and ankles and lower calves swelling terribly. I ve been traveling a great deal this year and am used to the post flight swelling which generally goes away quickly. But now, if I sit in a chair with my feet below me (not elevated) for more than a couple of hours, my feet swell horribly and actually hurt. They get so tight they turn a red and yellow color when I bend and stretch them. The skin up my calves when pressed with a finger retains the divit for an unnaturally long time.
Wed, 12 Jun 2019
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,

This may be caused by three things. Neuropathy or ischemic changes in legs or celulitis.
Cellulitis which is inflammation of subcutaneous tissues and may develop into diabetic foot with redness or pain in legs. Neuropathy may also be caused by diabetes but also other metabolic causes may be present or injury of spine. It is presented with burning pain without skin changes.
Last, ischemic changes happen due to poor circulation in legs. If this is not your case then these symptoms are indicating circulatory problems in legs which are common in this age and there may be present atherosclerosis that obstructs blood vessels and causes pain and blisters to form.

You should do Doppler ultrasound of the leg or CT angiography to rule out such obstructive changes and then it can be treated properly by medications or by surgical and radiological procedures.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein, General Surgeon
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What Causes Severe Swelling In The Ankles And Calves?

Hi, This may be caused by three things. Neuropathy or ischemic changes in legs or celulitis. Cellulitis which is inflammation of subcutaneous tissues and may develop into diabetic foot with redness or pain in legs. Neuropathy may also be caused by diabetes but also other metabolic causes may be present or injury of spine. It is presented with burning pain without skin changes. Last, ischemic changes happen due to poor circulation in legs. If this is not your case then these symptoms are indicating circulatory problems in legs which are common in this age and there may be present atherosclerosis that obstructs blood vessels and causes pain and blisters to form. You should do Doppler ultrasound of the leg or CT angiography to rule out such obstructive changes and then it can be treated properly by medications or by surgical and radiological procedures. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein, General Surgeon