What would swelling, redness or tenderness indicate if observed in the lower extremities?

What would swelling, redness or tenderness indicate if observed in the lower extremities?

• A. DVT or Cellulitis
• B. Venous insufficiency
• C. Intermittent claudication
• D. Raynaud's phenomenon

Answer: (A)

Unilateral swelling with redness or tenderness in the lower extremities points to an inflammatory or thrombotic process in the leg. The most likely explanations are deep vein thrombosis or cellulitis. DVT causes swelling plus warmth and tenderness in one leg because a clot forms in the deep veins, raising concern for possible pulmonary embolism if not treated promptly. Cellulitis produces localized redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness of the skin, often with fever, due to infection of the soft tissues. Other patterns don’t fit these signs as well. Venous insufficiency tends to cause chronic leg swelling that fluctuates with the day and activity, sometimes with skin changes, but not abrupt redness and focal tenderness. Intermittent claudication is leg pain tied to walking from arterial insufficiency, usually relieved by rest and without prominent redness or warmth at rest. Raynaud’s phenomenon involves color changes (pale, blue, then red) in the fingers or toes in response to cold or stress, not swelling and tenderness of the leg.

Unilateral swelling with redness or tenderness in the lower extremities points to an inflammatory or thrombotic process in the leg. The most likely explanations are deep vein thrombosis or cellulitis. DVT causes swelling plus warmth and tenderness in one leg because a clot forms in the deep veins, raising concern for possible pulmonary embolism if not treated promptly. Cellulitis produces localized redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness of the skin, often with fever, due to infection of the soft tissues.

Other patterns don’t fit these signs as well. Venous insufficiency tends to cause chronic leg swelling that fluctuates with the day and activity, sometimes with skin changes, but not abrupt redness and focal tenderness. Intermittent claudication is leg pain tied to walking from arterial insufficiency, usually relieved by rest and without prominent redness or warmth at rest. Raynaud’s phenomenon involves color changes (pale, blue, then red) in the fingers or toes in response to cold or stress, not swelling and tenderness of the leg.