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Leg Swelling

General, Robotic, Oncology Surgeons located in Somerville, Hillsborough and Somerset, NJ

Leg Swelling services offered in Somerville, Hillsborough and Somerset, NJ

Persistent leg swelling shouldn’t be ignored because it can be a warning sign that something more serious is wrong with your cardiovascular health. At Somerset Surgical Associates, LLC, the skilled surgeons offer several vascular surgery procedures, including vein closing and angiogram, to diagnose and treat the underlying causes of leg swelling. To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for leg swelling, call the office in Somerville, New Jersey, or book an appointment online today. 

What causes leg swelling?

Leg swelling (edema) can develop for a number of reasons. A buildup of fluids in the tissues in your legs can occur because of standing or sitting for long periods of time. You might also experience leg swelling because of medical conditions like:

  • Kidney failure
  • Heart failure
  • Liver failure
  • Pulmonary hypertension

Leg swelling can also be a warning sign of venous insufficiency, or a more serious condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These conditions occur when the valves in your legs aren’t functioning properly and can’t move blood and fluids through your body as they should.

DVT describes a condition where blood clots form in the veins deep within your legs. Without treatment, the clots can break off and travel to your lungs, creating a life-threatening medical emergency.

You might also have leg swelling because of peripheral vascular disease (PVD), the narrowing of blood vessels in your legs due to a buildup of plaque. 

When should I seek treatment for leg swelling?

You should schedule an evaluation at Somerset Surgical Associates, LLC, if you have persistent leg swelling or symptoms like:

  • Leg pain
  • Numbness
  • Itchy rash
  • Skin discoloration

You should also seek medical attention if you have varicose veins, enlarged veins that develop when the valves in your leg veins allow blood to flow backward and pool in the vessel. These veins can gradually worsen and become very large, twisted, and painful.

The providers can evaluate the health of your veins during a physical exam and diagnostic imaging tests. They also offer angiograms to diagnose circulatory problems in your legs. Testing involves an injection of a contrast dye into your blood vessels and X-rays to follow the dye as it travels through your legs.

How does surgery treat leg swelling?

Surgery for leg swelling may be appropriate if lifestyle changes, diet modifications, and medications aren’t enough to prevent swelling.

The Somerset Surgical Associates, LLC, providers offer several vascular surgeries to address venous insufficiency and other conditions that affect blood circulation in the legs, including:

 

Venous ablation

Venous ablation uses a small catheter to heat the end of a damaged vein, so it shrinks and eventually closes.

 

 

Vein stripping

During a vein stripping procedure, your surgeon removes the damaged vein through a small incision in your leg.

 

Call Somerset Surgical Associates, LLC, or book an appointment online today to find out if surgery is a treatment option for persistent leg swelling.