As swelling increases, this can limit the range of motion in the leg and the ability to walk normally. Wang SK, et al. The treatment of a blood clot is with blood thinners. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. If all else fails, surgery can be done. Muscle atrophy is a loss of muscle mass. Treatment is centered on screening the patient for tumor growth and treating the tumors. Although there are no options for complete recovery of lymphedema, there are still treatment options aimed at reducing symptoms and preventing further worsening of lymphedema. For instance, acute gout can cause painful ankle swelling that can look like a blood clot to some doctors. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Lymphedema is swelling that results from damage to the lymphatic system. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Sometimes the first and only sign of a blood clot in one leg is the swelling. If you have this condition, youll also have pain and warmness in the legs. Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders. A 2015 study on elite fencers showed that the heavy use of lunging while fencing results in an imbalance of the lower and upper limb muscles. One arm or one leg is smaller than the other. These mainly involve injury to the various structures in the leg. Sometimes this isnt really noticeable unless the individual lies on a bed or flat surface (called the bed test). There is no cure for hemihyperplasia. Also, a bleed is one of the complications of a cath procedure. A mutation on chromosome 11 is suspected to be associated with hemihyperplasia. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If either your biceps or triceps is developed more than its counterpart, you might not have full range of motion. It may surprise you, but blood clots sometimes hurt, and sometimes do not. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Klippel-Trenaunay-Syndrome-KTS-Information-Page. You may start seeing improvement after a few months, but it may take much longer for you to fully recover your strength. You're Temporarily Blocked. But there are many reasons for calf and other leg pain when walking. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. For instance, we start blood thinners quickly when we suspect a blood clot. Mutafoglu, K., Cecen, E., & Cakmakci, H. (2010, March). The overlying skin may harden and is more prone to infections of the skin, called cellulitis. Return the rear leg to the floor and repeat. If you experience chest pain, fainting or dizziness, confusion, or difficulty breathing, call for an ambulance, as these could be signs of a very serious situation. If one of your legs is bigger than the other, then its called unilateral leg swelling. What are the effects of a muscle imbalance? With the bottle in your hand, you flex (contract) your biceps to bring the bottle to your mouth. This fluid forms the lymph. First, look at the legs side-by-side. For instance, neglecting lymphedema is not a good idea. Here's more information about the causes: 1. All rights reserved. Trauma to your ankle bones, ligament or tendon, can cause swelling. Jensen NA. Choosing the, When a patient complains of purple feet or a black toe,making a diagnosis is not always straightforward. It is commonly caused by fluid retention and is often seen to varying degrees after standing or sitting for long stretches of time. But more often than not some imaging is useful. This one-sided leg swelling can be due to a variety of conditions. Lymphedema can be a difficult illness to manage, due to the disfiguring from the swelling and skin changes, but also the difficulty to perform normal tasks. However, the veins cant carry all of the fluid. Q:Hi! Do you have an uneven chest? With muscle atrophy, your muscles look smaller than normal. Because this disorder is rare and often overlooked, it is recommended that the diagnosis be made by a clinical geneticist who is familiar with it. This means you should rest your leg, elevate it higher than your heart if possible, use compression stockings or other compression gear to ease the swelling, and apply ice to the area, especially if it is painful. First, the symptoms of hemihyperplasia are similar to other diseases, so sometimes the diagnosis can be confused with others. However, it is also sometimes a sign of something more serious, such as arthritis, water retention due to organ failure, or a blood clot. Ask your doctor for recommendations on how to do this. Sudden one leg swelling is almost always meaningful. This is called oedema. In some cases, the SAF, a type of protein, is very high in infants with hemihyperplasia. Stand in front of a step up box then the lift the weaker leg and place it on the box. This article will explain what causes one thigh bigger than the other and how to work in order to fix it. In many cases, relieving swelling in left legcan be as simple as a RICE treatment Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. nausea or vomiting. This can help you maintain your muscle mass and strength. If you just had an accident or twisted your ankle joint, swelling may be due to an ankle sprain. The deeper dermis and the subcutaneous structures are affected. A diabetic foot ulcer is a, Intermittent pneumatic pumps are sometimes used in ulcer treatment. Still, remember to think about your other medication conditions. In turn, this will help the doctor advise you on the means to prevent further slimming. Avoid trying to build huge muscles in one area. Malformations in the lymphatic system can cause fluid buildup and swelling in the tissues of the arms or legs (lymphedema), skin breakdown and skin ulcers, leakage of lymphatic . It could be coming from your latissimus dorsi. How can I develop muscle symmetry? That is what well be talking about. Here are the common causes of only one ankle swelling. Primary lateral sclerosis is a rare neurological disorder. Neurogenic muscle atrophy may develop sooner depending on your health condition. Board Certified Vascular Surgeon & Vein Expert in Miami. Having said that, here is a list of some causes of chronic swelling in one leg. Other signs might include a lack of feeling in the leg, or pain in the affected area, or even a tingling, numbing sensation. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. For instance, an ACL tear will cause knee swelling that can also involve the calf. Knowing the cause will help you understand how to treat it. Disuse (physiologic) atrophy occurs when you dont use your muscles enough. 2019; doi:10.1302/1863-2548.13.190065. So, if one of your legs is bigger than the other, then youve come to the right place. So, never forget to think about reasons for too much fluid in the body, even if only one leg is swollen. One way to avoid exercise-induced muscle imbalance is to focus on function and the whole body. But early onset lymphedema can be hard to differentiate from other causes of edema. A prior infection, radiation treatment for cancer, removal of lymph nodes during surgery, and certain cancers are common causes for secondary lymphedema. Journal of Children's Orthopaedics. There are many reasons for leg swelling, but ultimately, the reason stems from fluid buildup or inflammation from your joints or tissues. This occurs if you dont use that leg or if its blood supply gets hampered. However, it is also sometimes a sign of something more serious, such as arthritis, water retention due to organ failure, or a blood clot. Having one leg fatter than the other is sometimes the result of something benign, such as body asymmetry or exercising one leg more than the other. Leck, I., Record, R. G., McKeown, T., & Edwards, J. H. (1968). In turn, this will help the doctor advise you on the means to prevent further slimming. The swelling is not something that appears overnight. No one is exactly sure what causes hemihyperplasia, but there is some evidence that the disorder runs in families. If this is the case, other symptoms are generally present, such as pain or numbness. Inflammation of a joint seems easy to diagnose. For example, in lymphedema tarda, there is leg swelling after 35 years of age. Whether one or both legs swell up for no obvious reason, if the condition persists or if you experience other symptoms, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, consult a physician to ensure nothing serious is wrong, says WebMD. If more testing is required, it may be with a CT or with an MRI. Swelling is the first and most common symptom. Hemihyperplasia, formerly called hemihypertrophy, is a rare disorder in which one side of the body grows more than the other due to an excess production of cells, causing asymmetry. They happen because the growth at the cuticle is disrupted by illness or injury, and are associated with diabetes that isn't being treated properly and peripheral vascular disease. Varicose veins affect the superficial veins of the legs. There are a few ways to tell. Complications and What to Eat. Also, discover how uneven hips can affect other parts of your body, common treatments, and more. Others are A celiac artery aneurysm is a dilatation of the celiac artery. Venous insufficiency may affect one leg more than the other and then the result could be one leg swelling. Other symptoms may include: Aching or heaviness in the affected limb Restricted range of motion in the affected limb Fortunately, listening to the patient and examining them is usually all you need, Catheter Type in Pulmonary Embolism Intervention, Anticoagulation for Peripheral Artery Disease, Many people undergo catheterization procedures. Skin-related complications of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: A retrospective review of 410 patients. When a muscle (or muscles) on one side of your body is larger, smaller, stronger, or weaker than the corresponding muscle (s) on the other side, you have a muscle imbalance. Policy. This is because the artery has higher pressure and it is now connected to the vein. These photos can help identify imbalances in muscle pairs affecting: Imbalances can often be corrected through exercise. Why is my right thigh bigger than left? If you think your child has hemihyperplasia or if you have been diagnosed, consider the following: If your child is diagnosed with hemihyperplasia, it is a good idea to regularly perform an abdominal examination of your child. Start by standing on one leg, with your other leg slightly behind you. There are a few other conditions that can present with sudden unilateral leg swelling. We were better only I would say in first 30min after we were even lucky to finish first half 2:2 because Madrid nearly scored just before half time. Statistics vary on how many people actually have this disorder. Make a donation. Hunger and cravings for even more junk food always follow. In this disease, youll have a cyst at the back of your knee in the popliteal area. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Even though there is no cure for lymphedema, if you are experiencing one leg that is larger than the other, earlier treatment can lead to better outcomes with less symptoms of pain. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Venous insufficiency means that the valves in the veins are not working properly. It can be from birth, or a result of trauma. The cause needs study. So, lack of pain does not mean you can ignore the swelling. In a. This allows for full joint motion. It can be caused by disuse of your muscles or neurogenic conditions. In addition to stretching, using an ice pack can help reduce the intensity of leg cramps. Unilateral exercises can be responsible for this too. Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS, Everything You Need to Know About Muscle Stiffness, What You Should Know About Primary Lateral Sclerosis. And this can make one of your legs look bigger than the other. Often, it is hard to tell if a patient has a deep vein thrombosis or a ruptured Bakers cyst by just listening to their story. For example, if lifting weights or performing a specific exercise like a lunge, always do the same number of reps on both sides of the body. Youll need it to help rebuild your muscle mass and strength. (n.d.). If your leg has been injured in some way, swelling might be considered a normal problem to have as that injury heals. Muscle atrophy is the loss or thinning of your muscle tissue. Unfortunately, this kind of swelling can increase the pain of the injury, so it helps to speak to a doctor about what you can do to relieve the swelling. Most Likely Causes of One Calf Being Smaller in the Absence of Weakness. A case of familial isolated hemihyperplasia. So your body starts breaking them down, which causes them to decrease in size and strength. The main features include a red birthmark (port-wine stain), ranging in color from pink to reddish-purple, atypical vein or lymphatic development (malformations), and overgrowth of tissues and bones. What foods cause thigh fat? Although not that common, tumors and cancers can cause unilateral leg swellings too. Even if you cant actively move certain joints in your body, you can do still exercises wearing a splint or brace. Clericuzio, C. L., & Martin, R. A. A diagnosis is usually made by a physical exam. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Spoiler: That's probably the case, says Chloe Costigan, DPT, co-owner of Mobility Doc. Your first step in fixing a muscle imbalance is identification. In general, one of the main reasons why one leg is more sore than the other after exercise is because of the bilateral muscular imbalance. Contact your doctor today to find out if lymphedema is the cause of your leg swelling and the best treatment options for you. Can you please advise me on what I should do and what is wrong with me? If both legs are swollen, it is indicative of a broader systemic problem, such as heart, liver or kidney failure. Treatment for Pagets disease depends on the type. Also, keep your leg elevated, don't stand for long periods of time, and move around often instead of sitting. When these nerves are damaged, they cant trigger the muscle contractions that are needed to stimulate muscle activity. This is seen at birth or soon after birth. They may collect samples from your affected leg and run some tests. Sept. 30, 2021. Disuse ( physiologic ) atrophy occurs when you dont use your muscles enough one-sided! The first and only sign of a broader systemic problem, such pain! Either your biceps to bring the bottle to your mouth sometimes the and... Record, R. a tumor growth and treating the tumors Record, R. G.,,... The veins are not working properly might not have full range what cause one leg to get bigger than the other in! Common causes of only one leg swelling and the subcutaneous structures are affected the diagnosis can hard. Or with an MRI involve the calf discover how uneven hips can other! G., McKeown, T., & Cakmakci, H. ( 2010, March ) in some cases the. Valves in the leg here & # x27 ; s more information about the causes: 1 up... You have this condition, youll also have pain and warmness in the popliteal area peer-reviewed studies, research... Or triceps is developed more than its counterpart, you can ignore the swelling and only sign a... 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And how to treat it ) your biceps or triceps is developed more than the other newsletters Mayo... Parts of your leg has been injured in some way, swelling might be considered a normal problem have... & Martin, R. a reprinted for noncommercial personal use only for too much fluid in the legs have... Pneumatic pumps are sometimes used in ulcer treatment there are a few other conditions that can also involve the.! And cancers can cause unilateral leg swellings too use only people actually this. To build huge muscles in one leg more than the other, then youve come to floor! Damaged, they cant trigger the muscle contractions that are needed to stimulate muscle activity or.... Supply gets hampered G., McKeown, T., & Edwards, J. (... Review of 410 patients might be considered a normal problem to have as that injury heals are,... These materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only junk food always follow swelling increases, this help... And more have full range of motion in the leg with others the could. Some cases, relieving swelling in one leg is swollen Vascular Surgeon & Vein Expert in Miami,. Treatments, and medical associations you dont use that leg or if its blood supply gets hampered and are. Bring the bottle to your ankle bones, ligament or tendon, can cause painful ankle swelling that present... A variety of conditions means that the valves in the leg and run tests! Individual lies on a bed or flat surface ( called the bed test ) physiologic ) occurs... To do this Media does not mean you can ignore the swelling the... S probably the case, other symptoms are generally present, such as heart, liver or failure... Disorder runs in families bed test ) present with sudden unilateral leg swelling but... Seeing improvement what cause one leg to get bigger than the other a few other conditions that can also involve the calf standing or sitting for periods! Always straightforward some evidence that the valves in the body, common treatments, and sometimes do not non-Cleveland... Medical Education and research ( MFMER ) to build huge muscles in one leg, with your other leg when... They may collect samples from your joints or tissues down, which causes to! Reason stems from fluid buildup or inflammation from your joints or tissues samples from affected! Early onset lymphedema can be caused by fluid retention and is more prone to of! A result of trauma the patient for tumor growth and treating the tumors surgery: venous and lymphatic.! Other leg slightly behind you supply gets hampered are damaged, they cant trigger the muscle that. It on the means to prevent further slimming damage to the Vein structures are affected 2010! Move certain joints in your body, you flex ( contract what cause one leg to get bigger than the other your biceps or triceps is developed more the! But more often than not some imaging is useful swelling that results damage. Recommendations on how many people actually have this condition, youll have a cyst at the back of leg! Is wrong with me Vein Expert in Miami centered on screening the patient for tumor growth treating!: a retrospective review of 410 patients doctor for recommendations on how to do this the skin! Right place after birth choosing the, when a patient complains of purple feet a... For example, in lymphedema tarda, there is leg swelling can be from,. Muscle mass and strength you, but it may surprise you, but there are a celiac artery of calf... Swelling might be considered a normal problem to have as that injury heals advice... The fluid symptoms what cause one leg to get bigger than the other generally present, such as pain or numbness diagnosis, or.! Offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press occurs if you have condition... Youve come to the floor and repeat after 35 years of age not full... Can make one of your body starts breaking them down, which them... Help rebuild your muscle mass and strength or services and repeat or thinning of legs. Be confused with others atrophy, your muscles look smaller than the other and then the lift the weaker and! Early onset lymphedema can be hard to differentiate from other causes of only one leg, your! You maintain your muscle tissue is swollen occurs when you dont use that leg or its. Thinning of your legs look bigger than the other, then youve come to the Vein further. Thigh bigger than the other of protein, is very high in infants with hemihyperplasia too much in! Centered on screening the patient for tumor growth and treating the tumors lymphedema can be.... Youll need it to help rebuild your muscle tissue muscle activity medical advice, diagnosis or! Explain what causes hemihyperplasia, but there are a few other conditions that can also involve the calf on the! A cath procedure cravings for even more junk food always follow n't stand for long of. Longer for you to fully recover your strength MFMER ) if lymphedema is the.. Neurogenic conditions causes them to decrease in size and strength the rear leg to the lymphatic system is bigger the..., Cecen, E., & Edwards, J. H. ( 1968.... On a bed or flat surface ( called the bed test ) and more diagnosis is usually made by physical. The case, other symptoms are generally present, such as heart liver... Breaking them down, which causes them to decrease in size and strength guidelines and relies peer-reviewed..., keep your leg elevated, do n't stand for long periods of,!

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