Causes Of Unilateral Leg Edema

Advanced stage lymphedema is easy to spot.

Causes of unilateral leg edema. It can be caused by a problem with the venous circulation system the lymphatic system or the kidneys. A DVT is more common when a person is inactive for extended periods such as during a long flight. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy as a result of trauma.

A 48-yr-old man suffered from low back and left leg. Bilateral edema can be due to a local cause or systemic disease such as heart failure or kidney disease. Unilateral swelling from compression or compromise of venous or lymphatic Edema is an accumulation of fluid in the interstitial space.

Sitting or standing for long uninterrupted periods of time pregnancy eating too much sodium or inflammation especially in relation to an injury. Sometimes the damage is from birth even if the lymphedema developed later in life. Most unilateral causes result from a problem at the site of swelling and bilateral from a systemic problem.

Causes of unilateral limb swelling. In general chronic swelling of one leg is more likely to be local whereas bilateral swelling usually has a systemic cause such as cardiac failure but may be due to a local or lymphatic problem. The patient history a physical examination and lower extremity venous duplex ultrasound often reveal the underlying etiology which is frequently of vascular origin.

Leg swelling isnt always a sign of a heart or circulation problem. The most common cause is venous insufficiency which usually manifests bilaterally. Why Does Lower Extremity Edema Occur.

Generalized edema is due to systemic disease. Unilateral edema is most commonly a result of DVT trauma cellulitis or venous insufficiency. Lymphoedema post operative swelling trauma eg.