The leg swells in a cast. Reasons for what to do

Swelling or edema is the body's reaction to an adverse effect, or a manifestation of pathology. At damage to the bones and joints of the lower limb with the subsequent fixation of them with plaster, you can often find such a condition, which is manifested by an increase in the limb, painful sensations in the leg, and itching. In some cases, this condition can be explained by mechanical damage, but in special situations it can be a symptom of a more serious illness.

Possible reasons

A leg swells in a cast with a fracture of the lower extremities quite often. This condition may be directly related to injury and wearing a fixation bandage.

Medical errors or irregularities

Swelling of the lower extremities can be caused by:

• the body's response to injury and subsequent intervention. It can be both local - directly at the site of the fracture, and general - on any part of the body. The reaction is due to stress on the body and does not do much harm;
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• improperly applied fixation bandage. A defect in the plaster structure can cause swelling, tooth, painful sensations at the fracture site;
• non-compliance with a certain regime. Physical activity with an emphasis on a broken limb;
• Incorrectly healed bone or a poor-quality implant can cause tissue edema. There are also cases of repeated limb fracture;
• violation of technology during the operation or the wrong postoperative period.

  

If symptoms appear, you should see a specialist to remove and apply a new fixation bandage.

Lymphatic edema

Lymphostasis is a disorder of the lymphatic system, which is accompanied by a retention of lymph in the tissues of the body.

The causes of lymphatic edema are:

• impaired renal function;
• heart failure;
• various forms of varicose veins;
• disorders of the lymphatic system;
• prostate cancer;
• mammary cancer;
• parasitic infections.

Disruption of the integrity of the skin and the skeletal system can provoke the appearance of lymphostasis.

Lymphatic edema can manifest itself with the following symptoms:

• swelling and swelling of the limbs;
• tightness of the skin, induration;
• pain in the area of ​​swelling;
• when pressed, traces remain for a long time.

Also, in rare cases, you may notice cramps and increased fatigue of the injured and swollen limb.

Circulatory pathologies

A leg swells in a cast when the skeletal system is damaged for a long time - a sign of circulatory pathology.

The causes of impaired blood circulation can be:

• diabetes;
• predisposition to disorders of the circulatory system;
• stress;
• venous thrombosis;
• overweight;
• the use of oral contraceptives;
• long-term consumption of alcoholic beverages and smoking.

An open fracture is especially dangerous if the circulatory system is disrupted.

Symptoms of circulatory disorders are also:

• general weakness, constant drowsiness and lack of concentration;
• blue tips of the fingers. Local or general numbness, swelling of the limbs. Frequent tingling sensation;
• severe headaches and dizziness, fainting is possible;
• soreness in the chest;
• low or high pressure readings;
• long-term healing of abrasions and wounds;
• an increase in the skin at the sites of superficial veins.

The specialist will help determine the most accurate problem with the circulatory system after determining the tests and taking anamnesis.

What to do

Swelling of the leg while wearing plaster can be eliminated both with medication, traditional medicine or other methods of therapy. Before using this or that method, you need to contact a specialist to determine contraindications, the optimal regimen and possible side effects.

Drug therapy

If the swelling of the leg is associated with a direct injury to the lower limb or errors of specialists in applying a fixing bandage, you should immediately consult a doctor. You can remove the oppressive sensation, relieve pain with the help of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The most effective remedies that can be purchased without a doctor's prescription are:

Trade name of the drug	Method of admission, course	Contraindications	Side effect
Ibuprofen	It is applied orally at 200 mg (1 table). Drink the product with plenty of water, up to 4 times a day. Therapy should not exceed more than 5-7 days.	The drug is contraindicated in people with bronchial asthma, as well as inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is used with caution in the treatment of patients with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract outside the exacerbation phase, taking other painkillers.	The effects develop when the regimen and dosage are violated. It is also noted that the incidence of side effects in older people is higher. The most typical manifestations of the effect on the body are headache, dyspepsia, fever.
Nurofen
Nise	The drug is taken orally, after meals. The maximum permitted dose is 200 mg (2 tab. per day). In this case, it is necessary to drink the product with plenty of water.	It is forbidden to take the drug for blood diseases (hemophilia), alcoholism, drug addiction. It is also impossible to use the drug for renal failure, heart failure.	Side effects include dizziness and dyspepsia. In rare cases, there is an allergic reaction to the drug and anaphylactic shock.
Nimesil	Nimesil is taken orally, after meals. 1 pack. with granules (100 mg) 2 times a day. It is necessary to prepare a solution - for this, the product is diluted in 100-150 ml of water. It is forbidden to store the prepared product. The course of treatment should not exceed more than 14 days.
Meloxicam	The drug is used internally. It is recommended to start therapy with the lowest dose for a short period of time.	Reception is prohibited in case of individual intolerance. You can also notice drug intolerance if there is a known allergic reaction to NSAIDs.	Dizziness, headache, and dyspepsia are common side effects of pain relievers. Also, treatment with Meloxicam promotes the development of upper respiratory tract infections.

In this situation, it is forbidden to use diuretics, since the drugs are able to flush out useful elements from the body that are necessary for the normal growth and development of muscle and bone tissues.

A leg swells in a cast with impaired blood circulation due to damage to the veins, blockage of blood vessels. The exact disease can be determined using modern diagnostic tools.

After the examination, the specialist can prescribe the following groups of drugs:

Pharmacological group	Trade names	Indications for use
Anticoagulants	Panangin, Warfarin, Apiksaban.	The drugs are widely used in the treatment of thrombosis, pulmonary thromboebolism, thrombophlebitis, angina pectoris, systemic pathology of the autoimmune system, acute myocardial infarction.
Nootropics	Piracetam, Cavinton, Pantogam, Cinnarizin, PKamilon, Omaron.	Used to stimulate brain activity, as well as with previous strokes or head injuries, chronic vascular insufficiency, vegetative-vascular dystonia, as well as with depression and stress states.
Venotonic	Phlebodia, Venarus, Vasoket, Antistakst, Detralex.	Venotonics are actively used for vascular pathologies. The most common use of this group of drugs is varicose veins.

Taking medications without specialist advice is hazardous to health.

Traditional methods

Also, for edema and swelling, folk methods are used.

For swelling of the lower extremities, you can use the following herbal preparations:

• collection number 1. Mix 1 tbsp. l. cornflower flowers and licorice root, add 3 tbsp. l. bearberry. Mix the dried herbs well. 1 tbsp. l. pour the mixture with 1 tbsp. boiling water and leave covered for 15 minutes. After cooling down (45 minutes), strain and use 15 ml before meals;
• collection number 2. In a bowl, mix 1 tbsp. l. horsetail, 1 tsp l. strawberry leaves, 3 tbsp. l. motherwort and 1 tbsp. l. St. John's wort. 1 tbsp. l. mixture, brew 250 ml of boiling water and strain after 20 minutes. You need to use the infusion 2 times a day. 200 ml each;
• collection number 3. Mix the hawthorn berries, plantain, bearberry, nettle and St. John's wort in equal parts in a bowl. 1 tbsp. l. pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave under the lid until it cools completely. Take 1 tbsp. 2 times a day.

You can also use chamomile or mint baths to relieve tension in the lower extremities.

Diet

Diet is used as an additional "remedy" for fracture and to prevent complications.

The following foods should prevail in the patient's diet:

• dairy products, cheese;
• grape;
• currant;
• beet;
• Cherry;
• sweet carrots;
• almond;
• chicken liver;
• shrimps;
• spinach;
• seaweed;
• legumes;
• parsley.

You can also use dietary supplements as adjunctive therapy.

Massage

To restore muscle function and prevent swelling after removing the cast, massage is recommended:

1. Begin the massage of the legs from the lower back, gradually moving to the hip and knee.
2. Perform stroking around the joints.
3. Rub the injured limb with your palms.
4. With the phalanges of the fingers, carry out a circular kneading.
5. Perform vibration techniques.

During the massage, it is forbidden to perform the procedure on the popliteal fossa area.

Possible consequences and complications

Swelling and swelling in the lower limb is a dangerous complication. A medical error or problems with the circulatory and lymphatic system can lead to a complete loss of a limb due to obstructed circulation.

A dangerous complication is also possible - venous thrombosis. This disease is characterized by the appearance of blood clots that clog the blood vessels. Blockage can occur not only in the area of ​​the lower limb, but also in any area.

Swelling in the lower extremities is a dangerous condition that significantly impairs the quality of life due to itchy and sore legs. Such a reaction of the body can be caused by pathologies of the circulatory or lymphatic systems, as well as non-compliance with the regime or incorrectly fixed plaster cast.

Video about leg swelling in a cast

4 tips when the leg is in a cast: