Symptom: Leg swelling

Introduction: Leg swelling

Leg swelling: Swelling of one or both legs. See free access online books about Leg swelling below. See detailed information below for a list of 214 causes of Leg swelling, including diseases and drug side effect causes.

» Review Causes of Leg swelling: full list

Causes of Leg swelling:

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Leg swelling. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

• Some causes of generalized swelling that may include leg swelling (typically both legs swell in generalized edema states):
  • Edema - see also causes of edema
  • Heart failure
  • Liver disorders
  • Cirrhosis of the liver
  • Kidney disease
  • Nephrotic syndrome
  • Hypoproteinemia
  • Acute glomerulonephritis
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Pericarditis
  • Constrictive pericarditis
  • Starvation
  • Idiopathic edema
  • See also causes of swelling, generalized swelling or fluid retention
• Some causes of chronic leg swelling include:
  • Poorly fitting clothing - constrictive from being too tight or from gradual weight gain
  • Heart failure
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Phlebitis
  • Chronic thrombophlebitis
  • Pregnancy
  • Varicose veins
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Coronary bypass surgery
  • Venous insufficiency
  • Chronic venous insufficiency (see Venous insufficiency)
  • Cellulitis
  • Lymphedema
  • Lipedema

See full list of 214 causes of Leg swelling

» Review Causes of Leg swelling: full list

Causes of Types of Leg swelling:

Review the causes of these more specific types of Leg swelling:

• Calf swelling (18 causes)
• Ankle swelling (83 causes)
• Foot swelling (60 causes)
• Oedema of the lower extremity (19 causes)
• Unilateral oedema of the lower extremity (8 causes)

More types of Leg swelling

Leg swelling: Multiple Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Leg swelling, as listed in our database. Visit the Multiple Symptoms Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Multiple Symptom Checker - Other Symptoms

• Leg swelling: Multiple Symptom Checker

Multiple Symptom Checker Combinations

• Leg swelling and Swelling symptoms (153 causes)
• Leg swelling and Leg symptoms (139 causes)
• Leg swelling and Nerve symptoms (108 causes)
• Leg swelling and Pain (108 causes)
• Leg swelling and Sensations (106 causes)
• Leg swelling and Limb symptoms (78 causes)
• Leg swelling and Digestive symptoms (76 causes)
• Leg swelling and Foot symptoms (66 causes)
• Leg swelling and Respiratory symptoms (66 causes)
• Leg swelling and Muscle weakness (65 causes)
• Leg swelling and Weakness (64 causes)
• Leg swelling and Muscle symptoms (62 causes)
• Leg swelling and Head symptoms (61 causes)
• Leg swelling and Abdominal symptoms (60 causes)
• Leg swelling and Fatigue (60 causes)
• Leg swelling and Heart symptoms (60 causes)
• Leg swelling and Foot swelling (55 causes)
• Leg swelling and Breathing symptoms (53 causes)
• Leg swelling and Skin symptoms (52 causes)
• Leg swelling and Breath symptoms (52 causes)

See full list of 1294 Multiple Symptom Checker combinations related to Leg swelling

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

• Swelling symptoms (2077 causes)
• Leg symptoms (1076 causes)
• Limb symptoms (1032 causes)

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Leg swelling

Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Leg swelling:

• Leg pain (193 causes)
• Leg stiffness (14 causes)
• Knee swelling (16 causes)
• Ankle swelling (83 causes)
• Foot swelling (60 causes)
• Groin swelling (34 causes)

Diagnostic Guides for Leg swelling

Medical Books Excerpts Read excerpts from published book sections related to Leg swelling from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Leg swelling. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Leg swelling

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Misdiagnosis and Leg swelling

Leg cramps at night a classic sign: The symptom of having leg muscle cramps, particularly at night, is a classic sign of undiagnosed diabetes. However, there are also various other causes. See causes of leg cramps or misdiagnosis of diabetes....read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Leg swelling

Diagnostic tests for Leg swelling:

Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Leg swelling. Some of these are listed below :

• Physical examination
  • Temperature
  • Inspect legs for size and symmetry, any bruises, swellings, discoloration, ulcers or rashes If swelling is due to edema , is it pitting(skin is indented when pressure is applied) or non- pitting - can assist in determining cause of edema (swelling) e.g. bilateral pitting edema occurs in heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, nephrotic syndrome, malabsorption form the gastrointestinal tract; unilateral pitting edema occurs in deep venous thrombosis and with compression of large veins by pelvic tumor or lymph nodes; non-pitting edema occurs in hypothyroidism and lymphedema.
  • Signs of edema - If swelling is due to edema ,examine for signs of possible causes such as congestive cardiac failure , liver cirrhosis , nephritic syndrome, deep venous thrombosis , hypothyroidism and varicose veins (e.g. examine for enlarged liver which may suggest cirrhosis or cardiac disease; ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity) along with enlarged liver would suggest cirrhosis of the liver or constrictive pericarditis; enlarged liver without ascites would suggest congestive cardiac failure.
  • Feel the leg for local causes of swelling, pain and tenderness

See full list of 33 diagnostic tests for Leg swelling

Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Leg swelling. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

• How long have you had the leg swelling? - to determine if acute or chronic.
• Where exactly is the swelling on the leg? - e.g. ankle, calf, thigh.
• Is it unilateral or bilateral?
• Are there other areas of the body that are swollen? - e.g. abdomen, face, sacral area.
• Did the swelling follow trauma or activity? - may suggest leg muscle injury e.g. ruptured gastrocnemius muscle, leg injury, compartment syndrome.

See Diagnosis Checklist for Leg swelling (17 listings)

Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Leg swelling) may include:

• Symptoms of deep venous thrombosis? - e.g. diffuse leg swelling, leg warmth, ankle pitting edema.
• Symptoms of acute lower limb ischemia or compartment syndrome? - e.g. sudden severe calf pain, absent pallor of skin, paresthesia or numbness of lower leg, paralysis or weakness of leg, swelling of the foot and ankle.
• Symptoms of Hypothyroidism? - e.g. intolerance to cold , weight gain , constipation, non-pitting lower limb swelling.
• Varicose veins? - may suggest venous incompetence and possible cause of ankle and lower leg swelling.
• Symptoms of cardiac failure - e.g. shortness of breath on exertion, bilateral ankle swelling that is usually symmetrical and worse in the evenings, with improvement during the night. As the heart failure progresses, swelling ascends to involve the legs, thighs, genitalia and abdomen.

See Diagnosis Checklist for Leg swelling (17 listings)

Stories from Users for Leg swelling

Real-life user stories relating to Leg swelling:

• Leg Sores, Swelling & Redness
• Please Help! Swelling In Leg/ Not Dvt
• Fluid retention that causes swell at the waist and legs......Help!!!
• Swelling of Legs & no diagnosis
• swollen & desperate
• Lungs burn,leg weakness,swollen glands Etc
• Swollen ankles and bright red spots all over legs
• swelling legs
• Swollen and lightheaded
• swelling of hands and legs
• Leg Swelling
• Swelling left leg Only
• Impressions or depressions in swollen legs
• lumpy swollen leg,what can i do
• dislocated knee cap and swollen foot + ankle + leg
• swollen forearm
• Help, right arm and leg tingling, swollen and painful
• Low grade fever, swollen leg, headaches for 9 months
• Swollen knuckle
• Severe knee pain & leg swelling

Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Leg swelling or relevant symptoms:

• Cardiovascular (Heart and Blood Circulation) (171)
  • Chest pain and shortness of breath
  • Hand numbness
  • Purple-blue skin color
  • Need help with diagnoses
  • Anxiety and high BP
  • More user stories
• Genitourinary (The urination system) (138)
  • Burning In Penis After Urination. Std/urine Culture = Negative
  • Blood in urine (hematuria)
  • I KEEP PEEING AND I DONT KNOW WHY!! Iplease some1 help me
  • Excessive Burping..
  • Swollen (enlarged)Kidneys, normal blood tests (no stones)Dr.'s not helping
  • More user stories
• Musculoskeletal (Muscles, joints and bones) (405)
  • Joint and muscular pain after taking chantix
  • Arm pain after sneezing
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Joint swelling, stiffness, severe foot pain
  • Muscle twitches/spasms
  • More user stories
• Endocrine (Growth and Metabolism) (93)
  • Symptoms of Cushing's - Tests all negative
  • Has anyone been diagnosed with Wilson's Temperature Syndrome and are being treated??
  • Pitutary tumor
  • I am at my wits end with these symptoms
  • I think I have Cushings, can you help?
  • More user stories
• Allergic/Immunologic (88)
  • Chronic hives
  • Spontaneous flushing and redness of face and body.
  • Non-stop itching, no rash
  • Swelling & itching
  • Problems with my scalp can anyone help me
  • More user stories

Videos for Leg swelling

Patient Surveys for Leg swelling

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Medications or substances causing Leg swelling:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Leg swelling as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Testosterone
• Long-term steroids
• Estrogen
• Oral contraceptives
• Progesterone

See full list of 216 medications causing Leg swelling

Drug interactions causing Leg swelling:

When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Leg swelling as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Nifedipine and quinidine interaction
• Adalat and quinidine interaction
• Adalat CC and quinidine interaction
• Nifedical XL and quinidine interaction
• Nifeditab CR and quinidine interaction

See full list of 263 drug interactions causing Leg swelling

Organs affected by Leg swelling:

The list of organs typically affected by Leg swelling may include, but is not limited to:

• Leg

Detailed list of causes of Leg swelling

The list below shows some of the causes of Leg swelling mentioned in various sources:

• Aagenaes syndrome - swollen legs
• Abdominal chemodectomas with cutaneous angiolipomas - leg swelling
• Acinic cell carcinoma - swollen legs
• Acquired angioedema - foot swelling
• Acquired angioedema, type 1 - foot swelling

See full list of 214 causes of Leg swelling

How Common are these Causes of Leg swelling?

This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Leg swelling. Of the 214 causes of Leg swelling that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

• 3 causes are "very common" diseases
• 8 causes are "common" diseases
• 7 causes are "uncommon" diseases
• 2 causes are "rare" diseases
• 9 causes are "very rare" diseases
• 196 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 214 causes of Leg swelling

Conditions listing symptoms: Leg swelling:

The following list of conditions have 'Leg swelling' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

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Causes of Leg swelling Based on Risk Factors

This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Leg swelling based on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient: