Swelling, burning or throbbing in your lower legs – Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Causes:

• Venous Insufficiency: Inadequate blood flow in the veins of the legs, leading to fluid buildup and swelling. Can cause aching, throbbing, and sometimes burning sensations.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A blood clot in a deep vein, often in the leg. Causes pain, swelling, redness, warmth, and sometimes throbbing. A serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the legs, often causing pain, cramping, and sometimes burning or throbbing, especially during exercise.
• Lymphedema: Fluid buildup due to lymphatic system problems, causing swelling, heaviness, and sometimes a throbbing or tingling sensation.
• Cellulitis: A bacterial skin infection causing redness, swelling, warmth, pain, and sometimes a burning sensation.
• Achilles Tendinitis: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon can cause pain and swelling in the back of the lower leg, sometimes with a burning sensation.
• Muscle Strain: Overexertion or injury to the calf muscles can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness.
• Medications: Some medications can cause leg swelling as a side effect.

Diagnosis:

• Physical Exam: Careful examination of the legs, noting swelling, redness, warmth, tenderness, skin changes, and pulses in the feet.
• Patient History: Gathering information about the onset of symptoms, any injuries, other medical conditions, and medications.
• Imaging:
  • Ultrasound: A common test to evaluate for DVT.
  • Venography: A more invasive test to visualize veins, if ultrasound is inconclusive.
  • Angiography: To visualize arteries, if PAD is suspected.
• Blood Tests: May be done to check for infection or other underlying conditions.

Treatment:

• RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation): Often used for muscle strains or other minor injuries.
• Medications:
  • Anticoagulants: To treat DVT.
  • Pain relievers: Over-the-counter or prescription pain medication.
  • Antibiotics: For infections like cellulitis.
• Compression Stockings: To help reduce swelling and improve circulation, especially for venous insufficiency, DVT, PAD, or lymphedema.
• Physical Therapy: Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
• Surgery: May be necessary in some cases, such as to bypass blocked arteries in PAD, or for certain vein problems.
• Treatment of Underlying Cause: If the symptoms are due to an underlying medical condition, treatment will be directed at that condition.

Important Considerations:

• Seek immediate medical attention if you have sudden leg swelling, pain, redness, or warmth, especially if accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood. These could be signs of a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition.
• Consult a healthcare professional for persistent or unexplained leg swelling, burning, or throbbing. Do not attempt to self-treat without consulting a doctor. Early diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and to prevent complications.