Had Swelling Below Knee Cap Due To Bug Bite And Experiencing Numbness. What Could Be The Reason For Numbness?

Posted on Fri, 8 Nov 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 8 Nov 2013 Answered on

Mon, 2 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : TWO INCIDENTS AT THE SAME TIME 5 WEEKS AGO TO RIGHT LEG. A CUT TO SHIN GOT INFECTED, CLEANED OUT PUS, SCABBED OVER & HEALED. BUG BITE RIGHT BELOW KNEECAP. NEXT DAY SWELLING BELOW KNEECAP BUT NO PAIN. WITHIN 2 DAYS SWELLING FROM BELOW KNEECAP DOWN TO FOOT AND PAIN. WENT TO MINOR EMERGENCY CLINIC. DOC SAYS SKIN INFECTION FROM CUT TO SHIN BUT ALSO NOTICED EDEMA. GAVE ME A SHOT OF ANTIBIOTICS & TOLD TO KEEP FOOT ELEVATED. PAIN DECREASED BUT SWELLING PERSISTED AFTER 1 WEEK SO WENT BACK TO DOC. DOC SAID MUST KEEP FOOT ELEVATED. LARGE NUMB KNOT DEVELOPED BELOW KNEECAP BUT SINCE HAS RESIDED 90%. STILL EXPERIENCING SWELLING & NUMBNESS & EDEMA & OCCASIONAL PAIN FROM BELOW KNEECAP TO FOOT. WHENEVER I KEEP FOOT ELEVATED FOR OVER A COUPLE OF HOURS, LIKE WHILE SLEEPING, I PASS URINE MORE OFTEN THAN USUAL & SWELLING GOES DOWN. BY END OF DAY ALL SYMPTOMS RETURN. WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (-3 hours later)

Brief Answer: Swelling can be due to incompetent vein valves Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query on XXXXXXX Infection of the wound as well as bug bite can cause swelling of the lower limb. However, swelling should have cleared away after taking treatment for infection and insect bite. High blood pressure is a common cause of swelling of the ankles and legs, however you have mentioned that your blood pressure is within normal limits. Amongst other causes of swelling of lower limb, incompetency of the valves of the veins is another cause. The valves which control the unidirectional flow of blood become incompetent and there is stasis of blood in the lower limbs. Lymph edema is another cause of swelling of lower limb. Right sided heart failure also leads to swelling of the lower limbs however, the swelling is bilateral. You need to consult a surgeon for local examination of the lower limbs. Doppler studies may be required to look for status of blood vessels. If you have more queries, i will be glad to answer Dr Shailja P Wahal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (6 hours later)

Could the swelling that is occurring now be related to the infection or bug bite or is it just a coincidence and is totally unrelated to the infection or bug bite? Is it common for any of the potential problems you mentioned to be unilateral? My own research consisted mostly of causes of edema since the examining doctor mentioned it. Kidney problems seem to be the most common cause of edema, however, you do not mention any potential kidney problems. Please elaborate. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Kidney problem causes swelling around the eyes Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome again, Bug bite or infection can cause swelling due to localized anaphylaxis. However, this kind of swelling clears after institution of treatment. Kidney diseases are a cause of edema and swelling. However, the swelling appears around the eyes and slowly slowly to other parts of the body. Kidney diseases do not cause localized swelling of the lower limbs. Moreover, systemic causes cause bilateral swelling. It is unlikely for systemic causes to cause unilateral swelling. Unilateral swelling is caused by localized causes like mentioned above. If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer. Thanks Dr Shailja P Wahal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E