Swelling in One Leg: What Could It Mean?

Swelling following a tissue injury is a natural bodily response. When a part of your body swells, blood flow increases to the area of injury, fluid gathers, and white blood cells rush in to initiate healing. Swelling also protects the injured area.

Swelling stops being a good thing when it lingers too long because it can lead to circulation problems and hinder wound healing. 

What if you notice swelling in just one leg? Should you be concerned? 

Yes! Swelling in one leg can point to a more serious circulatory or cardiovascular condition.

Fortunately, Dr. Ritin Bomb of RK Heart & Vascular Care has extensive experience treating people with leg and ankle edema causing leg swelling. As a triple board-certified cardiologist, his dedication to treating the whole patient, diligently arriving at answers through careful research, and treating everyone with genuine empathy set his care apart.

What could your swollen leg indicate?

If just one of your legs is swollen, this means that there’s a problem that’s isolated and definitely in need of medical attention.

Your swollen leg can serve as a critical clue to a potentially serious condition, including:

1. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)

This condition impacts the circulation in your legs, and aside from blood moving to and collecting in your ankles, you may also notice the emergence of varicose veins, which are common CVI symptoms.

Varicose veins can be unsightly and affect the veins close to the surface of your leg. They can bulge and become painful, twisted, throbbing, and achy, and can even become a very noticeable dark blue or purple. 

2. Lymphedema

Your lymph system was designed to do an amazing job of ensuring that the fluid flowing through your body keeps your blood clear of toxins and germs.

Some medical conditions, such as cancer, require the removal of a lymph gland or lymph glands, and this can cause fluid to collect in the area where lymph nodes were removed — a condition known as lymphedema.

Lymphedema can put you at risk for infection in the part of your body that it’s affecting.

3. Congestive heart failure (CHF)

Heart failure is defined by your heart’s inability to pump blood sufficiently through the body.

These conditions can affect both legs, but they can also impact just one. In addition, along with the swelling and pain that accompanies these conditions, they also limit your mobility, lowering your quality of life and preventing you from doing the things you love.

There’s help for cardiovascular conditions that cause leg symptoms

Leg swelling that doesn’t resolve isn’t normal, and you should seek care. 

You’re in the best hands at RK Heart & Vascular Care, since Dr. Bomb believes in giving you an in-depth evaluation, performing a detailed physical exam, and asking you pertinent questions, such as: 

• The details of how and when your symptoms started and their severity
• Your detailed personal medical history
• Your family’s medical history, especially if there’s a history of cardiovascular disease

Sophisticated testing, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), can also help Dr. Bomb make an accurate diagnosis by seeing if your leg swelling is related to a cardiovascular issue. 

Then, Dr. Bomb can create a customized treatment plan. It may include recommendations on dietary changes, exercise, leg elevation at the end of the day, and simply giving your leg a rest if your life or work requires that you stand or sit for lengthy periods.

A medical device like compression stockings can also help ease your leg swelling, and Dr. Bomb can prescribe effective medication for you if needed. 

Should your swelling indicate a cardiovascular condition, he crafts a plan to treat that safely and specifically.

Don’t let any leg swelling problem linger — Dr. Bomb is eager to help restore your comfort and peace of mind.

Call our Memphis, Tennessee, or Senatobia, Mississippi, office to schedule an appointment, or use our convenient online booking tool.