Swollen Legs – Causes and Treatment
Swelling of the legs happens when more fluid than usual is held in the tissues, and it can have many different causes – from long periods of standing to serious illness. Once a doctor has ruled out the dangerous causes, physiotherapy can help ease the feeling of heaviness and puffiness.
What swelling is
Swelling, or oedema, is a build-up of fluid in the tissues that makes the affected area look puffy, tight or larger. It is most often noticed around the ankles and lower legs, especially in the evening, but it can also affect the hands and other parts of the body.
There are many causes. Sometimes swelling is linked to long periods of standing or sitting, heat, an injury, surgery or poor venous and lymphatic drainage. In other cases it is related to heart, kidney or liver conditions, or to side effects of some medicines, so the cause should never be guessed.
New swelling, especially in one leg only, always needs a doctor’s assessment. Once serious causes have been ruled out, movement and targeted physiotherapy often help ease the symptoms, but the result depends on the underlying cause.
What contributes to swelling
- prolonged standing or sitting
- weak veins and poor venous return
- injury to the ankle or lower leg
- recovery after surgery or immobilisation
- impaired lymphatic drainage
- heart, kidney or liver conditions, or some medicines
How it shows up
- puffy ankles and feet, often towards the end of the day
- a feeling of heaviness and tightness in the legs
- marks from socks or from pressing a finger in
- tight, stretched skin
- limited ankle bending
- tiredness and harder walking
How we can help
Once a doctor has ruled out the dangerous causes, we start with a thorough assessment of your legs and how you move. We use Normatec compression, therapeutic massage, therapeutic exercise to activate the calf muscle pump, and physiotherapy equipment to ease the feeling of heaviness. If the assessment shows signs that call for a medical examination, we will refer you to a specialist.
When to seek urgent medical help
Seek urgent medical care for sudden swelling in one leg only, especially with pain, warmth or redness – a blood clot (thrombosis) is possible. It is also urgent if swelling comes with shortness of breath, chest pain or a racing heartbeat. See a doctor too if swelling appears without a clear reason, keeps growing or does not go down after rest.
This page is for information only and does not replace an assessment by a specialist.