Is Purple Leg Caused Due To Bad Circulation?

Posted on Wed, 15 Jan 2014

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

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 Answered on

Tue, 4 Feb 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My Dad is 85yrs old and due to an injured back he can't walk with out a cane or walker. He sits and sleeps in a recliner. His feet and legs are turning purple his right leg is cold to the touch. My mother tells me he has been like this for some time now. Is it bad circulation or something else?

Answered by Dr. Gaurav Katiyar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: It may be a bad circulation Detailed Answer: Hi, I have gone through your query. As you have mentioned your father's feet and legs are turning purple and right leg is cold to touch. At present this is difficult to say about the cause. There are various causes of it, which may include: Cold (Raynaud's Disease) Blood clot in deep veins( Deep Venous Thrombosis) Compression of veins due to some chemical trigger. Peripheral Vascular disease. Purple or blue coloring to hands or feet usually means decreased or slowed circulation to the area. It is necessary for him to see a Vascular doctor for Complete clinical examination of the affected area and investigations like Complete Blood Count and Venous Ultrasound. Treatment may vary from use of compression Stalkings, medicines to surgery(stent) depending upon the investigation reports. Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj