Physiotherapy for swollen legs: What you need to know
Swollen legs are a common symptom that can have various causes. In this article, you will learn what swollen legs are, what conditions can cause them and how physiotherapy can help to alleviate the symptoms.
What are swollen legs?
Swollen legs are a swelling of the lower extremities caused by an accumulation of fluid in the tissue. This is also known as edema. The swelling can extend to part or all of the leg and may be accompanied by pain, tightness, redness or warmth.
What diseases can cause swollen legs?
Swollen legs can have various causes, which must be treated differently depending on their severity and duration. The most common conditions that can cause swollen legs include
- Venous insufficiency: This is a disorder of the blood flow in the veins that transport blood from the legs to the heart. Defective venous valves or a narrowing of the veins cause blood to back up in the legs, which leads to swelling. Venous insufficiency can be promoted by varicose veins, thrombosis or other factors.
- Lymphoedema: This is a disorder of the lymphatic system, which is responsible for the removal of fluid and immune cells from the tissue. An injury or disease of the lymphatic vessels or nodes leads to an accumulation of lymph fluid in the legs, resulting in swelling. Lymphoedema can be congenital or acquired, for example as a result of surgery or radiotherapy.
- Heart failure: This is a weakness of the heart muscle which means that the heart can no longer pump enough blood to the body. This causes blood to back up in the veins, which leads to swelling of the legs. Heart failure can be caused by various factors such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease or heart valve defects.
- Renal insufficiency: This is a weakness in kidney function, which means that the kidneys can no longer excrete enough fluid and waste products from the body. This results in an accumulation of fluid in the tissue, which leads to swelling of the legs. Renal insufficiency can be caused by various factors such as diabetes, infections or medication.
- Liver diseases: These are various disorders of liver function that result in the liver no longer being able to produce enough protein. This results in a drop in blood pressure in the blood vessels, which leads to swelling of the legs. Liver diseases can be caused by various factors such as alcohol abuse, hepatitis or cirrhosis.
How can physiotherapy help with swollen legs?
Physiotherapy is an important addition to the medical treatment of swollen legs. Physiotherapy can help to reduce swelling, relieve pain, improve mobility and reduce the risk of complications. Physiotherapeutic measures for swollen legs include
- Manual lymphatic drainage: This is a special form of massage that aims to move the lymph fluid out of the tissue towards the lymph nodes. This reduces swelling and strengthens the immune system. Manual lymphatic drainage is mainly used for lymphoedema, but can also be helpful for other causes of swollen legs.
- Compression therapy: This involves the application of special bandages or stockings that exert even pressure on the legs. This improves blood and lymph flow in the legs and reduces swelling. Compression therapy is mainly used for venous insufficiency, but can also be helpful for other causes of swollen legs.
- Exercise therapy: This involves performing targeted exercises aimed at activating the muscle pump in the legs. This improves blood and lymph flow in the legs and reduces swelling. Exercise therapy is used for all causes of swollen legs and can also promote general well-being.
- Electrotherapy: This involves the application of electrical currents or magnetic fields to the legs. This improves blood circulation in the legs and relieves pain. Electrotherapy can be used for various causes of swollen legs, but must be individually adapted.
Conclusion
Swollen legs are a common symptom that can have various causes. Physiotherapy can help to alleviate the discomfort and improve your quality of life. If you suffer from swollen legs, you should consult a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Physiotherapy should always be done in consultation with your doctor.