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Someone we know has swollen foot on left leg, it
Sent to Health Experts June 18 11:47 PM

Someone we know has swollen foot on left leg, it is quite purple and has a little bit of swelling in his face, what could this be? Should we tell him to be alarmed?

 

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Male , Age: 33

Already Tried:
Nothing so far, the person is being difficult and doesn't think they have a problem.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $8
Answer
June 18 11:54 PM (7 minutes and 26 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
This needs to be looked at right away. A discolored swollen foot is a sign of poor circulation and if not corrected, there will be death of the tissue. The foot may not be able to be saved when this happens. This will also result in the release of toxic chemicals that will damage the kidneys and make him very ill. Check the temperature of the foot. If it is cooler than the other one, even more reason to get immediate help. There will be a "line of demarcation" which is a line where the healthy tissue stops and the dead tissue begins. Also the foot will start to look mottled and eventually the toes will become shriveled and dry.


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Judy -- Nurse -- 100% Positive Feedback on 870 Health Accepts
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Reply
June 19 12:54 AM (59 minutes and 55 seconds later)
         
Reply to Judy's Post: In the past few months this person has had a seizure and two episodes when he lost consciousness. He claims there is no pain in the foot, I am more concerned about blood cloths, and also about the swelling in the face? He says the swelling is better, is this a sign of improvement or just a symptom laying dormant again?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 19 1:01 AM (7 minutes and 1 second later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Blood clots are a very real possibility as the reason for the poor circulation in the leg, foot. Clots from the leg can move to the lungs, but would not be the cause for the seizures or blackouts. He could have poor brain circulation as well or clots in the vessels of the brain, independent of those in the leg. This could certainly account for the seizures/blackouts he's had.
I am curious to know about the foot--when did you see it last? Are you saying that the swelling in the foot is better, or the swelling in the face, or both?

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Judy -- Nurse -- 100% Positive Feedback on 870 Health Accepts
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June 19 1:51 AM (50 minutes and 11 seconds later)
         
Reply to Judy's Post: I didn't see the foot, he phoned and described his symptoms but was trying to act calm. He had seen a doctor about the seizures, and they couldn't find anything. All his tests came back in the proper range (this was one month ago) but he was given a presciption for seizure medication and chose not to take it. With the swelling in the foot (for the past three days) the swelling in the face seemed more prominent to him in the mornings. A few days ago the foot was swollen to the point were you couldn't see the bone structure in the ankle. Now the swelling is better and he has no pain, but it is still visibly swollen and slightly purple. I would like to give him a persuasive argument to convince him to see a doctor.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 19 1:56 AM (4 minutes and 30 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
I would tell him that if he does not want to lose the foot, he should see the doctor ASAP. If the foot is truly improving, you could reassure him that surgery is not necessarily the course that he will follow. There are medicines that will help with the bloodflow and that will hopefully save the foot.
One of the really neat things that we do is use nitropaste - same as we use for heart pain - but place it on the affected extremity and this dilates the vessels and can help salvage the foot. Also the pills they use will decrease the chances of clotting in the foot or leg. Good luck-he is the lucky one to have you in his corner!! If you have any other questions let me know please.


Edited by judi1 on June 19 2006 at 1:56 AM

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Judy -- Nurse -- 100% Positive Feedback on 870 Health Accepts
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