A.I. Health Assistant Causes for Swollen Lower Leg
The list below shows results from the use of our A.I. Health Assistant by Buoy users who experienced swollen lower leg. This list does not constitute medical advice.
1.Cellulitis
Facial cellulitis is a skin infection that typically comes from other parts of the face like the mouth or the sinuses and needs antibiotic treatment. Symptoms can be pain, redness, warmth and swelling of the affected area.
Dependent on severity of infection
- Rarity:
- Uncommon
- Top Symptoms:
- fever, chills, facial redness, swollen face, face pain
- Symptoms that always occur with cellulitis:
- facial redness, area of skin redness
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
2.Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Most deep vein clots occur in the lower leg or thigh.
Curable with medication or surgery but may recur.
- Rarity:
- Uncommon
- Top Symptoms:
- fever, thigh pain, upper leg swelling, calf pain, butt pain
- Urgency:
- Hospital emergency room
3.Lymphangitis
The lymphatic system is a series of vessels, similar to the veins and arteries of the circulatory system, that carry fluid important for the function of the immune system. Lymphangitis is infection or inflammation of these lymphatic vessels.
With treatment, the swelling may take weeks or months to resolve completely.
- Rarity:
- Rare
- Top Symptoms:
- fatigue, fever, chills, painful lump in one side of the groin, groin redness
- Symptoms that always occur with lymphangitis:
- painful lump in one side of the groin
- Urgency:
- In-person visit
4.Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a form of heart failure that causes fluid to back up into the lungs and other tissue. Symptoms include trouble breathing and edema (swelling of ankles, hands)
This is a lifelong condition but symptoms can be managed.
- Rarity:
- Uncommon
- Top Symptoms:
- cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, cough at night, shortness of breath on exertion
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
5.Nephrotic Syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome is caused by different disorders that damage the kidneys. This damage leads to the release of too much protein in the urine, causing the body to swell.
Varies by cause of Nephrotic Syndrome
- Rarity:
- Rare
- Top Symptoms:
- fatigue, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, weight gain, bilateral leg swelling
- Symptoms that never occur with nephrotic syndrome:
- cut on the foot, recent cut or wound, swollen ankle, swelling of one leg
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
6.Ankle Sprain
Ankle ligaments, which connect bones to one another, stabilize the ankle joint. A sprain is an injury to the ligaments caused by a twisting motion of the joint.
An uncomplicated ankle sprain should improve in 3-6 weeks.
- 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
7.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.
Bruises will begin to heal over the course of a week
- 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
8.Compartment Syndrome
Compartment syndrome is a serious condition that involves increased pressure in a muscle compartment. It can lead to muscle and nerve damage and problems with blood flow.
Prognosis is highly variable after surgery and depends on how rapidly you are treated.
- Rarity:
- Rare
- Top Symptoms:
- arm numbness, hand numbness, foot numbness, pain in one leg, thigh numbness
- Urgency:
- Hospital emergency room
9.Repetitive Strain Injury of the Calf
Repetitive strain injury of the calf is caused by consistent repetitive use.
Duplicate: Resolves with rest
- 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
10.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.
With proper medical attention, this condition should completely resolve.
- 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
Questions Your Doctor May Ask About Swollen Lower Leg
- Q.Have you ever been diagnosed with diabetes?
- Q.Do you have high blood pressure?
- Q.What is your body mass?
- Q.Have you been feeling more tired than usual, lethargic or fatigued despite sleeping a normal amount?
If you've answered yes to one or more of these questions, try our swollen lower leg symptom checker to find out more.
Take QuizSwollen Lower Leg Symptom Checker Statistics
People who have experienced swollen lower leg have also experienced:
- 9% Lower Leg Pain
- 3% Lower Leg Redness
- 3% Fatigue
People who have experienced swollen lower leg had symptoms persist for:
- 29% Over a Month
- 28% Less Than a Week
- 22% Less Than a Day
People who have experienced swollen lower leg were most often matched with:
- 40% Deep Vein Thrombosis
- 33% Lymphangitis
- 26% Cellulitis
Source: Aggregated and anonymized results from visits to the Buoy AI health assistant (check it out by clicking on “Take Quiz”).