What does a swollen leg below the knee mean?

What does a swollen leg below the knee mean?

Leg swelling isn’t always a sign of a heart or circulation problem. You can have swelling due to fluid buildup simply from being overweight, being inactive, sitting or standing for a long time, or wearing tight stockings or jeans. Factors related to fluid buildup include: Acute kidney failure.

Can a fall cause leg swelling?

Also, seek immediate care if your leg swelling: Occurs suddenly and for no apparent reason. Is related to a physical injury, such as from a fall, a sports injury or a car accident.

How long should it take for swelling to go down after a fall?

Typically, we will see edema go down about two weeks after an injury or surgery. However, for some people, it may take months [1].

When should I worry about leg swelling?

Seek medical care right away if your legs swell for no apparent reason, especially if you have unexplained leg pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain or other warning signs of a blood clot in your lungs or a heart condition. Many factors — varying greatly in severity — can cause leg swelling.

What does it mean when only one leg is swollen?

Some of the causes for swelling in only one leg include: Infection in the foot or leg. Muscle strain or tear in the affected leg. Blockage of the leg’s lymphatic system.

How do you treat a swollen leg from injury?

How is a swollen ankle or leg treated?

1. Rest. Stay off your ankle or leg until you can get to the doctor or until the swelling goes away.
2. Ice. Put ice on the swollen area as soon as you can for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Compression. Wrap your ankle or leg snugly, but be sure not to cut off circulation.
4. Elevation.

Can you break your leg and still walk?

A broken leg (leg fracture) will be severely painful and may be swollen or bruised. You usually will not be able to walk on it. If it’s a severe fracture, the leg may be an odd shape and the bone may even be poking out of the skin.

What helps swollen legs after fall?

You can use ice packs, cold therapy systems, ice baths, or cryotherapy chambers to deliver cold to the affected area. Apply cold several times a day for 20-30 minutes at a time to help keep swelling down, especially in the first several days after an injury.