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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
Generalized Swelling
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Generalized Swelling
by mamawolf, Dec 12, 2001 12:00AM
I am concerned that just the toes of my right foot are swelling. My ankles and foot are fine. The toes swell so that it becomes very painful to walk and I cannot bend my toes. Is this due to arthitis or is a ciculation matter. I am 55 years old in good health, some hip joint discomfort that I take naproxen for. My blood pressure has always been 120/70. Right where it is suppose to be (may have it backwards). Should I be concerned that I have some type of edema?
Confused in California
Confused in California
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-M.D.-DT, Dec 13, 2001 12:00AM
Thank you for visiting the Family Practice Forum.
You describe swelling in the toes of your right foot. This swelling appears to be associated with pain as well as loss of the range of motion of the toes. (ability to bend).
This most commonly is due to inflammation of the joint or tendons of the foot. It also may be due to inflammation of the nerve. I have seen this type of problem commonly in individuals who are wearing shoes which do not fit properly. For example, wearing high heels puts excess stress on certain joints and tendons of the foot resulting in pain and commonly swelling of the foot and toes. Also, it is worth mentioning that Naproxen does have the side effect of edema. However, typically this edema is in BOTH feet/legs.
Blood clots in the leg may be associated with pain in the calf or back of the theigh along with redness, swelling and pain in the area of the leg beneath where the clot lies. You symptoms could be due to a blood clot, however this is quite unlikely given the symptoms you describe.
Without a doubt, the most likely cause is some inflammation of the tendons/joints of the toes. This may simply be due to arthiritis. Make sure your shoes fit comfortably, and if you are wearing high heels, you may want to try to go without them for a few weeks to see if these symptoms resolve.
I want to mention one other possibility here which is due to a problem with circulation to the toes. This is known as Raynaud's Phenomenon (or Raynaud's Disease). The condition known as Raynaud's Phenomenon results in periods of decreased circulation to the small vessels of the hands and feet. Most commonly this will occur in the hands following exposure to cold. The fingertips will become cold, white and commonly will be quite painful. This is not a "serious" condition per se, however it can be quite uncomfortable. To treat this condition, medications such as Nifedipine have been shown to be quite useful. This is a medication which works to dilate the blood vessels. Note: this medication is commonly used to treat hypertension so it does have the potential to make your blood pressure drop. Therefore, it is best prescribed in lower doses initially and slowly increased over a period of weeks until the symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon resolve.
I hope this is helpful, please let me know if I can be of further assistance. I would recommend you have your doctor take a look at your toes.
You describe swelling in the toes of your right foot. This swelling appears to be associated with pain as well as loss of the range of motion of the toes. (ability to bend).
This most commonly is due to inflammation of the joint or tendons of the foot. It also may be due to inflammation of the nerve. I have seen this type of problem commonly in individuals who are wearing shoes which do not fit properly. For example, wearing high heels puts excess stress on certain joints and tendons of the foot resulting in pain and commonly swelling of the foot and toes. Also, it is worth mentioning that Naproxen does have the side effect of edema. However, typically this edema is in BOTH feet/legs.
Blood clots in the leg may be associated with pain in the calf or back of the theigh along with redness, swelling and pain in the area of the leg beneath where the clot lies. You symptoms could be due to a blood clot, however this is quite unlikely given the symptoms you describe.
Without a doubt, the most likely cause is some inflammation of the tendons/joints of the toes. This may simply be due to arthiritis. Make sure your shoes fit comfortably, and if you are wearing high heels, you may want to try to go without them for a few weeks to see if these symptoms resolve.
I want to mention one other possibility here which is due to a problem with circulation to the toes. This is known as Raynaud's Phenomenon (or Raynaud's Disease). The condition known as Raynaud's Phenomenon results in periods of decreased circulation to the small vessels of the hands and feet. Most commonly this will occur in the hands following exposure to cold. The fingertips will become cold, white and commonly will be quite painful. This is not a "serious" condition per se, however it can be quite uncomfortable. To treat this condition, medications such as Nifedipine have been shown to be quite useful. This is a medication which works to dilate the blood vessels. Note: this medication is commonly used to treat hypertension so it does have the potential to make your blood pressure drop. Therefore, it is best prescribed in lower doses initially and slowly increased over a period of weeks until the symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon resolve.
I hope this is helpful, please let me know if I can be of further assistance. I would recommend you have your doctor take a look at your toes.
Member Comments
by amulbaby, Dec 16, 2001 12:00AM
due to infection in any other parts
by searching, Dec 17, 2001 12:00AM
To: Dr. T
Doctor, I think "amulbaby" is going to put you out of a job. :o)
by Tomasello_MD, Dec 19, 2001 12:00AM
I would agree searching ... amulbaby's detailed and comprehensive comments are so impressive ... we may need to give him/her his own forum here on MedHelp :o)
