KNEE AND CALF SWELLING

[BLONDIE40]

I HAVE HAD BEHIND KNEE AND CALF SWELLING FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS.  I'VE HAD A DOPPLE STUDY DONE AND A LYMPH STUDY DONE AND THEY WERE BOTH NEGATIVE.  THE SWELLING COMES AND GOES AND WELL AS THE PAIN.  SOMETIMES MY LEG IS HOT.  THERE IS NO PURPLE OR PITTING.  THIS ONLY HAPPENS ON THE LEFT LEG.  IT SEEMS TO GET WORSE WHEN I SIT.  ANY ANSWERS?

[Forum-M.D.-DT]

Thank you for visiting the Family Practice Forum.

It sounds like you have had a doppler study to rule out a deep venous thrombosis ... good. I suspect they have checked the lymph nodes to see if there was any lymph node enlargement which could be causing problems with blood flow "from" the leg. Anything which blocks blood flow from the leg (i.e. from the leg back to the heart), can potentially cause swelling of the leg.
If you are overweight, this may be part of the problem.
Other possible causes for this leg and calf swelling may be superficial phlebitis, varicose veins and lymphedema.
For people with mild lymphedema, compression bandages can reduce the swelling. People who are more severely affected may wear pneumatic stockings every day for an hour or two to reduce the swelling. Once the swelling has been reduced, the person must wear elastic stockings up to the knee every day from the moment of rising until bedtime. This controls the swelling to some degree. Ask your doctor about these possibilities.
I hope this helps you!

[BLONDIE40]

I'VE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH THE LYMPH EDEMA WITH SEVERAL DR'S.  CLEVELAND CLINIC AND HOME.  THEY ALL SAID NOT LYMPH EDEMA.  I DO HAVE ALLERGIES WOULD THIS CAUSE THE SWELLING?

[Tomasello_MD]

Yes, allergies are a possibility as well. If you have taken any antihistamines (prescription or over the counter) and have seen improvement of the symptoms, certainly allergy is quite likely. Have you been allergy tested?

[Landrover]

If you've had a Venous Doppler study to rule out DVT ( deep vein thrombosis) and it was negative ...surely they would have picked up something like..... A BAKER CYST.... This is a common finding of the symptoms you described ,however ...AGAIN ..if you've had that ultrasound test....certainly the tech would have noticed this...but you never know? It is ONE possibility.

[Sfuzee]

I also have had pain and swelling behind my left knee for well over a year.  The pain radiates into my calf.  The pain now will be sharp at times and also a tearing feeling at times. I have had ultra sounds several times to check for DVT's and Baker's Cyst (long history of torn meniscus and arthritis in knee).  DVT and cyst are always negative.  I do have varicose veins severe enough in that leg that I have to have 2 veins stripped, however the Vascular surgeon looked at my knee and said this was not caused by the veins.  My orthopedist is stumped and I am frustrated.  Any ideas?

[Marsh45]

A related discussion, leg pain was started.

[mypain01]

A related discussion, knee swelling was started.