Question: My feet are swollen, red, and purple. My left ankle was broken 40 years ago and now the skin is rough and badly discolored. Should I be worried? Is it possible it’s a circulation problem, or something else?
Dr. Hibberd's answer:
There is no doubt that you have swelling that is circulation related. The question is: What’s causing it?
Some of the swelling is probably related to impaired circulation of blood in your extremities, but you need to be sure you do not have an underlying clot or even an associated heart or lung condition contributing to your swelling and discoloration.
Your feet are almost certainly at risk for tissue breakdown, ulceration, and chronic swelling with circulation problems. This can lead to roughening and dark skin discoloration, as well as increased risks for blood clot formation. The redness may be from infection, while the purple area may reflect lack of circulation or bruising. Usually these changes occur gradually over months of neglect.
It would be wise for you to have a vascular and dermatology assessment. You must be sure no clot is obstructing your blood vessels and that you have adequate circulation to both feet to avoid irreversible tissue, tendon, bone, or nerve damage.
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