Leg Swelling

Leg swelling related to fluid buildup

Leg swelling caused by the retention of fluid in leg tissues is known as peripheral edema. It can be caused by a problem with the venous circulation system, the lymphatic system or the kidneys.

Leg swelling isn't always a sign of a heart or circulation problem. You can have swelling due to fluid buildup simply from being overweight, being inactive, sitting or standing for a long time, or wearing tight stockings or jeans.

Factors related to fluid buildup include:

Acute kidney failure
Cardiomyopathy (problem with the heart muscle)
Chemotherapy
Chronic kidney disease
Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Heart failure
Hormone therapy
Lymphedema (blockage in the lymph system)
Nephrotic syndrome (damage to small filtering blood vessels in the kidneys)
Obesity
Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Aleve)
Pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue around the heart)
Pregnancy
Prescription medications, including some used for diabetes and high blood pressure
Pulmonary hypertension
Sitting for a long time, such as during airline flights
Standing for a long time
Thrombophlebitis (a blood clot that usually occurs in the leg)
Venous insufficiency, chronic (leg veins with a problem returning blood to the heart)

Leg swelling related to inflammation

Leg swelling can also be caused by inflammation in leg joints or tissues — either a normal response to injury or disease or due to rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory disorder. You'll usually feel pain with inflammatory disorders.

Conditions that can contribute to inflammation in the leg include:

chilles tendon rupture
ACL injury (tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament in your knee)
Baker cyst
Broken ankle
Broken foot
Broken leg
Burns
Cellulitis (a skin infection)
Knee bursitis (inflammation of fluid-filled sacs in the knee joint)
Osteoarthritis (disease causing the breakdown of joints)
Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease)
Sprained ankle