What Causes Swelling In Foot?

Posted on Thu, 4 Sep 2014

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

Thu, 4 Sep 2014 Answered on

Fri, 26 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I've have distal femur factor surgery and I'm still in a lot of pain more than a couple times I wanted to go to the ER. I doctor says its normal and its healing. The knee and the top upper part of my leg has unusually marks on it sometimes between red and brown my leg and foot has swollen up like a balloon the doctor said I have edema after 5 months which I've had this since surgery he ordered me compression knee high and for one leg. Kind of weird I would have thought I would have gotten these in the hospital.When its been 5 and half months now since my surgery. I go to pain management But I feel there is sometime they are missing.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be reactive swelling.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The swelling in the foot can be due to a reactive inflammatory swelling or due to decreased venous drainage caused by decreased muscle activity.
The continued pain is worrisome. A CT scan of the area is needed to find out the state of healing. Such surgeries do take 8-10 weeks to recover but after that the pain should reduce.
You can keep your foot elevated on two pillows while resting and use a compression stocking and see if it helps. Regular exercise is also necessary for proper venous drainage.
In case there is a throbbing pain with fever then an infection also needs to be ruled out after a direct examination.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar