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What Causes Swollen Legs In An Elderly Patient?
Question: My moms right leg is swollen and warm ,no one knows why ,she's in the hospital for observation and now she can not walk , shes 78 yrs old and yes shes walked before this happened , they suspected a kidney infection but it turn out not to be the case ,they also was believeing that a blood clot was possible ,the ultra sound turned out negative .her pulse is normal to her feet .So the question is why cant she walk ?
Brief Answer:
cellulitis, trauma, acute arthritis or severe venous disease
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Since clot has been ruled out by imaging then the other causes of swelling would need to be considered.
An infection or disease of the kidneys, liver or heart should normally cause swelling of both feet not one because it is a systemic illness.
Medications can also cause lower limb swelling but again , since taken systemically, would affect both legs
Other causes of swelling of one lower limb would include--(1)cellulitis- this is an infection of the skin and deep tissues and it would cause pain, increased warmth and swelling
It would require a course of antibiotics for treatment
(2)trauma to that particular limb or arthritis of the knee or ankle. Acute worsening of arthritis including gouty arthritis can also cause pain and swelling. A blood test to check levels of uric acid would be needed to rule out gouty arthritis
(3)venous disease of the limb- this would have to be very severe, however, to cause these symptoms
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
cellulitis, trauma, acute arthritis or severe venous disease
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Since clot has been ruled out by imaging then the other causes of swelling would need to be considered.
An infection or disease of the kidneys, liver or heart should normally cause swelling of both feet not one because it is a systemic illness.
Medications can also cause lower limb swelling but again , since taken systemically, would affect both legs
Other causes of swelling of one lower limb would include--(1)cellulitis- this is an infection of the skin and deep tissues and it would cause pain, increased warmth and swelling
It would require a course of antibiotics for treatment
(2)trauma to that particular limb or arthritis of the knee or ankle. Acute worsening of arthritis including gouty arthritis can also cause pain and swelling. A blood test to check levels of uric acid would be needed to rule out gouty arthritis
(3)venous disease of the limb- this would have to be very severe, however, to cause these symptoms
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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