Leg swelling (synonyms: swollen leg; thick leg; leg edema; ICD-10-GM R22.4: localized swelling, space, and nodules of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the lower extremities) can be understood as swelling of the lower leg, ankle region, foot, and the entire leg (up to the hip).
Leg swelling can be a symptom of many diseases. The cause of a swollen leg can be harmless, but it can also be life-threatening. The most common causes of leg swelling include:
- Deep vein thrombosis of the leg (TBVT).
- Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI; disorder of venous return).
- Lymphedema (storage of lymphatic fluid in the tissue).
- Lipedema (chronic disease of the subcutaneous fat tissue or subcutaneous fat tissue proliferation).
- Cardiovascular disease (v. a. Right heart failure (restriction of the pumping function of the right heart)).
- Liver disease (v. a. hepatic insufficiency (liver function is disturbed)).
- Kidney disease (v. a. renal insufficiency (kidney weakness))
- Drug-induced edema
- Inflammation
- Tumors
In determining the cause of leg swelling, it is important, among other things, how long the symptoms have existed, that is, did they occur acutely (suddenly or < 72 hours) or have they developed gradually? For further clinical clarification of leg swelling, see “Differential diagnoses” and “Physical examination“.
Course and prognosis: The course and prognosis depend on the cause of the disease. Medical evaluation is required in all cases.
