HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Pitting Edema In Shin Area?

default
Posted on Thu, 7 May 2015
Question: I noticed a few weeks ago that when I press on my shin bones that there is a large "fatty" like deposit spread over the bone and it deforms with light pressure and retains the deformation for a while. Is this just a fat deposit?
My family does not have a history of heart disease but does have a history of stroke on fathers side. There is no pain or discomfort from this, it seems odd that there is such a large deformation when lightly pressed.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not due to fat deposits

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.

Please give further information:
Is the swelling on one shin or both?
Does it cover the whole leg or a just a part of it?
Can you please attach a clear photograph of the area? YYYY@YYYY
Any medical disorder do you have?
Any investigations done till now ?

The most probable cause of such a pitting edema can be as follows:
- Hypothyroidism if both the lower limbs (legs) are affected.
- Lymphatic blockage at the inguinal nodes due to infection
- Anemia, hypoproteinemia.
- Renal or cardiac problems.

-Local causes:
subcutaneous inflammation due to sub-clinical infection that occurs due to scratching, bone inflammation and so on.

The best way is to consult a Doctor for clinical evaluation, actual physical examination and investigations as per the clinical diagnosis. This alone can get you the most probable diagnosis and gives the right treatment.

I hope this answer helps you to get a proper diagnosis, and get a proper further treatment. Please feel free to ask for more if you need to or if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (34 hours later)
The swelling itself seems to be sporadic currently today there is no swelling or no additional swelling along the shinbone and it's just on the shinbone it's not on the muscle itself or anywhere else it's just on the shinbone and it's noticeable more on the left leg that it is the right leg. I'm not sure if it has something to do with fluid intake. In Qatar it is warm to hot and on hot days the swelling is more pronounced. when it is extremely warm I consume more liquids and the next morning I feel like there is a lot more swelling along the shinbone but currently there is none as I have not been outside much today.

My job is project manager on a construction site and I do walk around a lot up and down stairs and probably about a mile and a half to 2 miles of walking in 38 to 35°C weather and obviously consuming about 2 to 3 L of water during the workday.

doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Let us opt for proper diagnosis first.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your elucidate feedback.
The swelling is sporadic.
Comes sometimes and sometimes not present at all.
It is on the shinbone.
More noticeable on the left than the right.
More pronounced on hot days.
Not today as you were not outside today.
Job as project manager- requirement understood.
35 - 38 temp - consume Water up to 3 liters per day.

My thoughts:
This is a sort of a fixed reaction to something or a sort of a Seborrhoic Dermatitis, wherein the response of the affected skin is more to the more temperature or some allergens in the air and so on.

Take therapeutic dose of Vitamin S and D and continue as anti-oxidants in the form of Multivitamins. This helps in increasing the integrity of the affected skin and tissues underneath.

Please do not apply anything to the area. As this will alter the clinical picture of the lesions. Dermatologist's proper diagnosis depends upon the real appearance of the lesion (not altered). Consult a Dermatologist and see what is his diagnosis and plan of treatment.

Please send me clear pictures . photos of the lesions in different angles when you have this edema.
Let us not rush in with antihistamine and steroids (which again help a lot nut alter the clinical presentation). Wait for the proper diagnosis. A proper diagnosis alone can lead to a proper treatment.

I hope you are getting my point, let us opt for a proper diagnosis first.

I hope this helps you.
Awaiting for your feedback and pictures.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19778 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Pitting Edema In Shin Area?

Brief Answer: Not due to fat deposits Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query and an elucidate history. Please give further information: Is the swelling on one shin or both? Does it cover the whole leg or a just a part of it? Can you please attach a clear photograph of the area? YYYY@YYYY Any medical disorder do you have? Any investigations done till now ? The most probable cause of such a pitting edema can be as follows: - Hypothyroidism if both the lower limbs (legs) are affected. - Lymphatic blockage at the inguinal nodes due to infection - Anemia, hypoproteinemia. - Renal or cardiac problems. -Local causes: subcutaneous inflammation due to sub-clinical infection that occurs due to scratching, bone inflammation and so on. The best way is to consult a Doctor for clinical evaluation, actual physical examination and investigations as per the clinical diagnosis. This alone can get you the most probable diagnosis and gives the right treatment. I hope this answer helps you to get a proper diagnosis, and get a proper further treatment. Please feel free to ask for more if you need to or if you feel that there is a gap of communication.