NEW ADDRESS: 1025 N. HOUSTON RD, WARNER ROBINS, GA 31093
478-254-3412 (Fax 1) || 888-703-3246 (Fax 2)

Reasons Why Your Legs Are Swelling

 Reasons Why Your Legs Are Swelling

Leg swelling isn’t uncommon, but it’s also not normal — and it’s definitely a symptom you shouldn’t ignore. Knowing what causes leg swelling (or edema) is the first step in getting appropriate care. And that starts with a visit with our team in Warner Robins, Georgia.

Dr. Allison Burkett makes sure our patients at Middle Georgia Vascular Surgery Center & Vein Solutions receive the right treatment for swollen legs based on an in-depth evaluation and diagnosis of the underlying cause. Here’s what could be causing your leg swelling.

Why legs swell

Swollen legs happen as a symptom, so in order to relieve swelling, Dr. Burkett begins by considering your symptoms and performing a series of evaluations. Some possible causes include:

Vascular issues are a common cause of leg swelling, especially as we get older. That includes medical problems like:

Sometimes, leg swelling is accompanied by other symptoms, like leg pain, skin-related changes, hair growth changes, or varicose veins. During your office visit, it’s important to let Dr. Burkett know about any symptoms that aren’t immediately apparent, like leg pain or numbness, including when those symptoms occur.

Treating swollen legs

Sometimes, leg swelling can be alleviated simply by elevating your legs to help the tissues drain better. This is especially true of more “temporary” causes of edema, like pregnancy or long periods of sitting. 

The elevation is also frequently recommended alongside other conservative treatment options, such as:

In addition to these conservative “home remedies,” Dr. Burkett recommends treatments focused on the underlying cause of leg swelling. She may also suggest a change in your medications.

Vascular treatments

As a top-rated vascular surgeon, Dr. Burkett offers an array of state-of-the-art treatments for leg swelling due to vascular issues. 

Radiofrequency ablation

Dr. Burkett uses the ClosureFast™ system to administer controlled “doses” of radiofrequency (RF) energy to damaged veins, causing the veins to close off. Over time, the damaged vein is absorbed by your body and blood is rerouted to healthy, local vessels.

VenaSeal™ 

VenaSeal uses a minimally invasive approach to inject a special medical adhesive inside the damaged veins. The adhesive causes the vein walls to stick together, blocking the flow of blood. As with RF treatments, your body absorbs the vein material and reroutes circulation to neighboring veins.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is an injection therapy that uses special chemicals to close off a vein. It’s a time-tested solution for small or moderate-sized veins.

Balloon angioplasty

While the other methods are designed to treat damaged veins, angioplasty is often recommended for peripheral artery disease. In this procedure, a tiny medical balloon is inserted into the damaged artery and then inflated to widen the artery and improve blood flow.

Other times, like when a kidney or liver problem is suspected, Dr. Burkett may recommend you see a specialist who can provide additional treatment. Sometimes, managing leg swelling is simply a matter of managing an underlying medical problem, like adjusting your diabetes management plan.

Get help for your swollen veins

Leg swelling might seem like a relatively minor symptom, but it’s not normal — and it could be a sign of a more serious issue that needs treatment. To find out what’s causing your swollen legs, call 478-779-1920 or book an appointment online at Middle Georgia Vascular Surgery Center & Vein Solutions today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Why Wound Care Is Essential If You Have Diabetes

Diabetes affects your body in many ways, including the way your body heals itself after an injury. Wound care is essential if you have diabetes, not just for feeling better, but for avoiding serious complications, too. Here’s what you need to know.

Is Leg Pain Ever Normal?

Leg pain is a common problem for plenty of people, but it’s never really “normal” — it’s a sign that something’s wrong. Sometimes, that “something” is a serious vascular problem. Here’s what to look for.