Leg Swellings
Swelling of the lower limb may be unilateral or bilateral. Bilateral swellings are usually due to medical conditions such as cardiac, renal or hepatic failure. Unilateral swellings are commonly due to trauma, venous disease or lymphatic disease.
Causes
Local
Acute Swelling
Figure 42 Phlegmasia cerulea dolens.
The painful, swollen, blue leg results from a massive ilio-femoral venous thrombosis. It may lead to venous gangrene unless the resulting high tissue pressure is relieved by thrombectomy. In this patient, blood-filled blisters and gangrene of the toes have already developed. This is a relatively rare presentation of deep vein thrombosis.
History
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