Swollen Feet Have Many Potential Causes

Q:  For the last several weeks, I’ve noticed that my left foot and ankle have been swollen. I’m in no pain at all and have not limited my activity. I had an echocardiogram and there were no significant problems with my heart. I have no kidney problems and am well nourished. I’m retired and play golf on a regular basis.

A:  Your question rules out several of the causes of this kind of swelling, usually called pedal edema. They are congestive heart failure, a condition caused when the heart’s pumping ability cannot keep up with the blood being returned leading to a “back-up” resulting in foot swelling. This used to be called dropsy. Another cause can be due to malnutrition or kidney failure mediated through low protein in the blood with fluid yielding leaky blood vessels.

I think that you have something called venous stasis. This is due to poor circulation caused by aging veins that impede blood return to the heart. Sometimes you can see these tortuous veins more prominently on your legs that can appear to be more full of blood when actually the blood is not moving at all.

It’s important to keep active and to keep the swelling down. This is best done by keeping your feet elevated when stationary and wearing support stockings when active. Diuretics are not helpful and may cause dehydration if used to treat this problem.

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