Leg Swelling

Leg swelling that occurs often or affects only one leg may indicate you have a circulation problem. The highly skilled and experienced team at Advanced Vascular Surgery throughout Michigan, specializes in diagnosing and treating venous conditions that cause leg swelling. To get help for your leg swelling, call the office or schedule an appointment online today. 

What is leg swelling?

Leg swelling occurs when there’s a buildup of fluid in the feet, ankles, or legs. This buildup of fluid is called edema.

Leg swelling is a symptom and may occur from any number of causes, such as an injury or infection. The buildup of fluid in the legs is also a symptom of conditions that affect the veins (venous conditions).

What venous conditions cause leg swelling?

A number of venous conditions may cause leg swelling. Some of the common causes include:

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

A DVT is a blood clot that develops in a deep vein in the leg. If your leg swelling only affects one leg, then you may have a DVT. An untreated DVT puts you at risk of a pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency care.

Venous compression

Venous compression occurs when veins in constricted spaces are compressed by other nearby structures. Leg swelling is a common symptom of venous compression.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)

CVI occurs when the veins in the legs are unable to pump blood back to the heart because of damage. Blood flows backward and pools, causing the veins to enlarge and weaken, allowing blood to leak out, and causing swelling around the ankles.

What happens during a leg swelling evaluation?

The team at Advanced Vascular Surgery includes experts in diagnosing and treating circulation problems that cause leg swelling. They ask detailed questions about your symptoms and when they occur, as well as your medical history. 

They also do vascular ultrasounds to examine the blood vessels and confirm or rule out a venous condition. 

Advanced Vascular Surgery is a state-of-the-art practice and may do an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), which is a catheter-based diagnostic system that allows them to take images of the diseased vessel from the inside.

What are the treatments for leg swelling?

Treatment for leg swelling depends on the cause. The team customizes your plan to reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life. Treatment for your leg swelling may include:

• Diet changes
• Not standing or sitting for too long
• Wearing compression stockings
• Keeping your legs elevated at the end of the day

In some cases, the team may recommend a procedure to treat your circulation condition. The board-certified vascular surgeons at Advanced Vascular Surgery use the most advanced tools and techniques when performing surgery to get you the best outcomes.

Don’t ignore leg swelling; call Advanced Vascular Surgery or schedule an appointment online today.