Feet swelling with burning sensation

Posted By M. Garvin on July 27, 1998 at 17:50:14:







I read the posts regarding the causes of feet swelling.  I have an additional
question.  My elderly mother (88) is experiencing swollen feet.  She is under
the care of several doctors--one who specializes in geriantrics.  She is on
Zestril for hypertension and that has been under control for years.  She is
also on eye drops for glaucoma--again for years.  However, she fell recently
(about 10 days ago) and the swelling in her feet is not going down although
the bruising has improved. She says that her feet are feel warm--or burning as
she describes it.  She was seen by a physical therapist today for an evaluation.
He had concerns about the swelling and showed me how her skin stayed depressed
when he put pressure on her foot with his fingure.  He suggested we see the
primary physician again soon to point this out.
She seems fearful of walking and has curtailed most of her activities and now
just sits in her chair until it is time to be escorted to her lunch or dinner.
(She lives in an assisted living center.)  The PT will be trying to build some
strength and confidence up in her walking and also try and get her to use a
walker--hopefully he will be able to train her to use it properly.
She is having some memory lapses and just recently had a CAT scan which did reveal
some minor strokes.  However, I also wonder if there might also be some low grade
depression going on because she usually just sits in her living room with the
lights off until someone comes.
I hope this isn't too long and complicated, but I would really like to know if
we are also dealing with a circulatory problem that merits concern or whether
these symptoms are typical of someone of this age.  Any insight will be greatly
appreciated.
Margaret