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Can Peripheral Neuropathy Cause Swelling In The Legs In An Elderly Patient?
Posted on
Thu, 22 Mar 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 22 Mar 2018
Answered on
Thu, 21 Mar 2019
Last reviewed on
Question : Legs and feet are swelling up. Left leg is worse. I have bone on bone (left leg / hip - no cartilage at all) and considerable pain in left hip. I have peripheral neuropathy both legs resulting from back surgery about two years ago. Cannot walk and sit in a wheelchair all day. Am 95 years old, female. What could be causing legs and foot swelling and what can be done about it?
Brief Answer:
Can be due to many causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The swelling in legs and feet can be due to many causes. Not taking adequate fluids coupled with a poor diet high in salt and carbohydrates can cause ankle and feet swelling.
Other serious causes for pedal and ankle edema are congestive heart failure, kidney disease, arthritis, high altitude, etc.
Are you taking some medicines like laxatives? Abusing these drugs can also cause bilateral pedal edema.
You should follow these lifestyle measures to alleviate the symptoms:
1) Increase muscle activity with walking, avoid standing in place for long periods of time and avoid sitting with the feet dependent.
2) Limit salt intake and stop taking any laxatives (if you are taking them).
3) Elevate the legs when sitting and wear leg wedges while sleeping, support socks and properly fitting shoes and socks.
4) Keep your fluid intake adequate by taking plenty of fluids.
5) You can take diuretic pills after consulting your doctor to relive the pedal edema.
If the pedal edema persists then I suggest you an immediate physician consultation.
You need to get blood tests, kidney function tests, electrolyte levels, ECG and stress ECHO, venous Doppler of the legs and urine tests done.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Praveen Tayal, Orthopaedic Surgeon
Can be due to many causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The swelling in legs and feet can be due to many causes. Not taking adequate fluids coupled with a poor diet high in salt and carbohydrates can cause ankle and feet swelling.
Other serious causes for pedal and ankle edema are congestive heart failure, kidney disease, arthritis, high altitude, etc.
Are you taking some medicines like laxatives? Abusing these drugs can also cause bilateral pedal edema.
You should follow these lifestyle measures to alleviate the symptoms:
1) Increase muscle activity with walking, avoid standing in place for long periods of time and avoid sitting with the feet dependent.
2) Limit salt intake and stop taking any laxatives (if you are taking them).
3) Elevate the legs when sitting and wear leg wedges while sleeping, support socks and properly fitting shoes and socks.
4) Keep your fluid intake adequate by taking plenty of fluids.
5) You can take diuretic pills after consulting your doctor to relive the pedal edema.
If the pedal edema persists then I suggest you an immediate physician consultation.
You need to get blood tests, kidney function tests, electrolyte levels, ECG and stress ECHO, venous Doppler of the legs and urine tests done.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Praveen Tayal, Orthopaedic Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Answered by
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