Why does my left leg swell more than my right

Inflammatory

Inflammatory causes for swelling in one lower leg may include:

• Arthritis: Arthritis is a general term for multiple conditions that cause painful inflammation and stiffness of the bones and joints. Arthritic processes that affect the knees and ankles can cause irritation that often leads to injury. Furthermore, arthritis in the joints of the lower extremitiespredisposes people to inactivity, making swelling even more likely.
• Infection: Both superficial infections of the skin and deep tissueinfections of the lower leg can result in swelling. One type of deep tissue infection, called necrotizing fasciitis, can spread quickly and destroy tissue, resulting in a life-threatening illness that requires immediate care.

Environmental

Environmental causes can range from lifestyle habits to certain exposures listed below.

• Smoking: Smoking can affect blood clotting and circulation, increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
• Medication: Swelling in one lower leg can be a side effect of many medications that treat common conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and menopause. However, this usually causes swelling in both legs rather than just one.
• Diet: Diets high in sodium can cause an overload of the body's filtering mechanisms. The extra salt in the blood will cause fluid to be drawn out from the vessels, causing swelling. Furthermore, obesity can increase the pressure in the veins of the lower leg causing leakage and fluid buildup.

This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have.

Repetitive strain injury of the calf

Repetitive strain injury of the calf is caused by consistent repetitive use.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: lower leg numbness, calf pain from overuse

Symptoms that always occur with repetitive strain injury of the calf: calf pain from overuse

Symptoms that never occur with repetitive strain injury of the calf: recent calf injury, severe calf pain

Urgency: Self-treatment

Stress fracture of the foot (marching fracture)

A "March" stress fracture of the foot is named because it's sometimes linked to soldiers marching for a long time. This foot fracture happens because of prolonged stress or weight-bearing.

You should go to a primary care doctor or orthopedist, who might take a CT or MRI to help in diagnosis. Treatment involves reducing movements for 6-12 weeks.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: constant foot pain, foot pain from overuse, pain in one foot, pain when touching the foot, pain in the top of the foot

Symptoms that always occur with stress fracture of the foot (marching fracture): foot pain from overuse, constant foot pain

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Shin bruise

A bruise is the damage of the blood vessels that return blood to the heart (the capillaries and veins), which causes pooling of the blood. This explains the blue/purple color of most bruises. Bruises of the shin are common given the location of the shin.

You can treat this at home with R.I.C.E - rest (exercise as tolerated), ice (10-20 minutes at a time), compression (this is pretty optional), and elevation (put your feet up to help blood flow back to the heart using gravity).

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: shin pain from an injury, shin injury, pain in one shin, shin swelling, shin bruise

Symptoms that always occur with shin bruise: shin injury, shin pain from an injury

Urgency: Self-treatment

Jones fracture (broken foot)

A Jones Fracture is a fracture of a bone on the outside of the foot (called the fifth metatarsal). A Jones fracture can be either a stress fracture (a tiny hairline break that develops with time), or a sudden break due to trauma. This can result in pain, swelling, and tenderness on the outside of the foot.

You should visit your primary care physician or an urgent care today. Until then, the RICE method of care should be performed: rest (stay off the injured foot), ice (apply an ice pack to injured area), compression (an elastic wrap to control swelling), and elevation (raising the foot slightly above the level of the heart to reduce swelling). A doctor may perform a X-ray and put a cast or splint on the foot.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: difficulty walking, constant foot pain, pain in one foot, foot bruise, foot injury

Symptoms that always occur with jones fracture (broken foot): foot pain from an injury, pain when touching the foot, constant foot pain, pain in the front half of the foot, pain in the outside of the foot

Urgency: In-person visit

Fracture of the talus

A talus fracture is a break in one of the bones in the ankle called the "talus." This type of injury oftens occurs during a high-energy event, such as a car accident or fall.

You should seek immediate medical care at an urgent care clinic or ER. This type of fracture generally involves surgical treatment to repair the break.

Rarity: Ultra rare

Top Symptoms: pain in one foot, swollen ankle, severe foot pain, pain in one ankle, ankle pain from an injury

Symptoms that always occur with fracture of the talus: pain in one ankle, ankle pain from an injury

Urgency: Hospital emergency room

Deep vein thrombosis

A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep in the body, usually in the lower leg or thigh. DVT can cause swelling, pain, and redness in the affected leg. Some of the risk factors for developing DVT include obesity, pregnancy, cancer, surgery, and previous history of blood clots.

You should consider calling your primary care or urgent care provider. Deep vein thrombosis can be evaluated with a review of your symptoms, a physical exam, and an ultrasound. A blood test may also be performed. Once diagnosed, DVT can be treated with blood-thinning medication, which is usually taken for three months.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: fever, thigh pain, upper leg swelling, calf pain, butt pain

Urgency: Hospital emergency room

Compartment syndrome

Acute compartment syndrome describes the damage done to certain muscle groups of the arms or legs after a traumatic injury.

All of the long muscles are bundled into sections – "compartments" – by the white sheets of strong, tough connective tissue called fascia. If something interferes with circulation so that blood flow is trapped within the compartment, pressure rises because the fascia cannot stretch. This causes serious damage to the muscles and other tissues within the compartment.

Acute compartment syndrome is caused by a broken bone; a crush injury; burns, due to scarred and tightened skin; and bandages or casts applied before an injury has stopped swelling.

Symptoms can rapidly intensify. They include severe pain and tightness in the muscle; tingling or burning sensation; and sometimes numbness and weakness.

Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency which can result in loss of the limb. Take the patient to the emergency room or call 9-1-1.

Diagnosis is made through patient history and physical examination.

Treatment involves hospitalization for emergency surgery and, in some cases, skin graft.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: arm numbness, hand numbness, foot numbness, pain in one leg, thigh numbness

Urgency: Hospital emergency room

Calf strain

A strain, commonly called a "pulled muscle," is when a muscle becomes overstretched, and microscopic tears occur. A calf strain happens when one of the muscles on the back of the lower leg is pulled.

You can safely treat this condition on your own. A muscle strain can be treated with rest, ice, compression, and pain medication.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: pain in one calf, moderate calf pain, calf pain, sports injury, soccer injury

Symptoms that always occur with calf strain: pain in one calf

Urgency: Self-treatment

Calcaneus fracture

Calcaneus fractures occur when a force that is stronger than the calcaneus itself is applied to the bone. s are rare, although they are the most commonly fractured tarsal bone. These fractures can occur in many different situations, but most commonly occur in high-energy trauma situations such as car crashes or falls from heights (ex. a ladder or roof).

Symptoms generally depend on the severity of the fracture but usually include significant pain, swelling, bruising, numbness, limited mobility, and limping, among others.

Calcaneus fractures can lead to long-term deformity and require good follow-up and management. Treatment options include methods to reduce pain and restore function through surgery or physical therapy.

You should seek immediate medical care at an urgent care clinic or ER. A doctor will confirm the diagnosis with an X-Ray. This condition can be treated non-surgically with a cast. However, if the bones have shifted out of place, surgery may be needed.

Ankle sprain

A foot sprain means there is damage to ligaments within the foot. The term "sprain" specifically refers to overstretching or tearing of ligaments – the strong, fibrous bands of tissue that hold the bones together within the joints.

Foot sprains are usually sports or dance injuries. Any sort of running movement that involves sudden stops, starts, and twisting can lead to a foot sprain. Suddenly getting the foot caught while walking or running can wrench the ligaments and cause a sprain.

Symptoms include swelling, bruising, and pain in the affected foot, especially with weight bearing.

If symptoms do not resolve quickly, or seem to get worse instead of better, a medical provider should be seen to make sure no fracture is involved.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination and imaging such as x-ray, CT scan, ultrasound, or MRI.

Treatment is usually conservative and involves rest to allow healing; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain; elevating the foot to improve circulation; and wrapping the foot with an Ace bandage or wearing a special boot for support.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: pain in one ankle, ankle pain from an injury, swollen ankle, bruised ankle, ankle twisting

Symptoms that always occur with ankle sprain: pain in one ankle, ankle pain from an injury

Urgency: Phone call or in-person visit

Questions your doctor may ask about swelling in one lower leg

• Have you ever been diagnosed with diabetes?
• Are you having any difficulty walking?
• What is your body mass?
• Do you have high blood pressure?

Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions.

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