Definition
A swelling of the feet means an increase in circumference, which can be caused by an inflammation, water in the legs or lymph congestion, for example. The triggering causes can be manifold. Often a swelling in the area of the feet also includes the lower legs. It can occur on one or both sides.
Causes
As mentioned above, there are several causes for swelling of the foot or feet. One possible cause is an injury to the foot. If the foot is overstretched, or if ligaments are torn or a bone fracture occurs in the area of the foot, the affected area often swells.
In addition, the foot in the area of the injury is usually painful under pressure or mobility is restricted. Another possible cause of unilateral swelling of the foot can be thrombosis. This occurs when a blood clot moves a venous vessel.
This is followed by a blood congestion, the affected area swells and is often painful under pressure. In most cases, a thrombosis is more likely to be localized in the area of the lower leg, but it can also be accompanied by swelling of the foot. One reason for bilateral foot swelling can be, for example, lymph congestion.
This is then referred to as lymphedema. The lymph fluid can no longer drain off sufficiently and thus leads to swelling. If the swelling is a lymphedema, the skin on the toes is typically not liftable.
Heart disease can also lead to swelling of both sides of the foot. A cardiac insufficiency (heart failure) means that the heart can no longer pump the blood transported in the body sufficiently quickly and powerfully, resulting in congestion. This is noticeable in the legs and feet, for example. If a heart failure is the cause of the swelling of the feet, the lower legs are usually also swollen.
Diagnosis
To make the correct diagnosis, the treating physician usually asks a few questions. For example, when did the swelling occur, whether it is unilateral or bilateral, whether there has been trauma, whether there is pain in the feet at the same time and what previous illnesses there are. After this so-called anamnesis follows the physical examination.
Here the doctor examines the swollen area, looks whether the foot is normally mobile and whether there is pain from pressure. Further examinations can also be performed: A blood test to look for inflammation values or a marker for thrombosis (D-dimer), an ultrasound examination of the legs to rule out thrombosis or an ultrasound examination of the heart to rule out heart failure. In the case of an injury as a trigger for the symptoms, the preparation of an X-ray image can be helpful in making a diagnosis.
If swollen feet occur, further symptoms may occur depending on the cause. In the case of thrombosis, there may be a (pressure) pain, for example in the area of the sole of the foot, and the skin may feel tense. Injury-induced swelling is often accompanied by a restriction of movement due to the pain of the affected foot. If the cause is cardiac insufficiency, those affected occasionally complain of shortness of breath and reduced performance.