Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Many factors — varying greatly in seriousness — can cause 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 circulatory system, the lymphatic system or the kidneys.

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

Factors related to fluid buildup include:

  1. Acute kidney failure
  2. Cardiomyopathy (problem with the heart muscle)
  3. Chronic kidney disease
  4. Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
  5. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  6. Heart failure
  7. Hormone therapy
  8. Lymphedema (blockage in the lymph system)
  9. Nephrotic syndrome (damage to small filtering blood vessels in the kidneys)
  10. Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Aleve)
  11. Pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue around the heart)
  12. Pregnancy
  13. Prescription medications, including some used for diabetes and high blood pressure
  14. Sitting for a long time, such as during airline flights
  15. Standing for a long time
  16. Thrombophlebitis (a blood clot that usually occurs in the leg)
  17. 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 tissues. Inflammation may be a normal response to injury or disease, or it may be due to rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory disorder. You will usually feel some pain with inflammation.

Factors that can contribute to inflammation in the leg include:

  1. Achilles tendon rupture
  2. ACL injury (tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament in your knee)
  3. Baker's cyst
  4. Broken ankle/broken foot
  5. Broken leg
  6. Cellulitis (a skin infection)
  7. Gout (arthritis related to excess uric acid)
  8. Infection or wound in the leg
  9. Knee bursitis (inflammation of fluid-filled sacs in the knee joint)
  10. Osteoarthritis (disease causing the breakdown of joints)
  11. Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease)
  12. Sprained ankle

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Jan. 11, 2018