Harvey JA, et al. Wholesomealive is an online healthcare media publishing website. But in real life these signs can mimic leg swelling from other causes. Also, keep your leg elevated, don't stand for long periods of time, and move around often instead of sitting. Start by standing on one leg, with your other leg slightly behind you. To book a consultation click here or call (239) 300-0586. Then it may look as if one leg is bigger than other. Muscle atrophy is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. What are the effects of a muscle imbalance? 3. Avoid trying to build huge muscles in one area. An AV-fistula is a connection between an artery and a vein. In some patients, chronic venous insufficiency leads to skin breakdown. Diabetes: Drinking More Water Can Help Reduce Blood Sugar; Follow These Tips To Increase Water Intake, Weight Loss: 7 Tips That Will Help You Practice Mindful Eating, Mental Health: Worst Foods For Stress, As Shared By An Expert. It's caused by a problem with the lymphatic system (a network of vessels and glands that help fight infection and drain excess fluid from tissues). Arthritis can be a very serious condition that requires medical attention to prevent further damage to the leg, joint or surrounding areas. Having one leg longer than the other is relatively common. But leg swelling is an After a pulmonary embolism, many patients are limited. The symptoms of lymphedema can range from being minimal to severe, affecting the ability to perform daily activities. While theres no cure, treatments can help improve quality of life. What Are the Possible Causes? An AV-fistula elevates the pressure within the vein. This can be due to deep vein thrombosis, muscle tear, cellulitis, ruptured Bakers cyst, compartment syndrome, etc. A prior infection, radiation treatment for cancer, removal of lymph nodes during surgery, and certain cancers are common causes for secondary lymphedema. AskMayoExpert. These are the superficial veins. But if you have other symptoms, you may have an underlying condition. It could be coming from your latissimus dorsi. Swelling in Left Leg: Causes and Treatments, Pain in Shoulder Blade: Causes and Treatments, Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ) Pain: Common Causes & Treatments, Upper Right Abdomen Pain: Causes & Treatments, Pain That Occurs on Left Side of the Body. They are quickly replacing surgery for many indications. The symptoms of lymphedema can range from being minimal to severe, affecting the ability to perform daily activities. Arthritis When you have severe arthritis in the knee or the ankle, it can lead to serious swelling of the leg. These photos can help identify imbalances in muscle pairs affecting: Imbalances can often be corrected through exercise. This is called oedema. Causes of Leg Swelling on Both Sides, Maybe the Culprit? This will tend to happen repeatedly every month. In that case, you might notice one leg bigger than other. Tumors are abnormal growths that can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancer). KTS is not usually inherited. Cellulitis will cause a red, hot, painful swollen leg. Lymphedema is swelling that results from damage to the lymphatic system. A case of familial isolated hemihyperplasia. Why is my right thigh bigger than left? It can be caused by disuse of your muscles or neurogenic conditions. The fitness enthusiast may be unaware of this. Common causes are water retention or inflammation, arthritis, some sort of injury that affects only one leg, or issues with a blood clot. I am a bit apprehensive as is my husband. A: The fact that one of your legs is slimmer than the other suggests that the muscles in that leg may be wasting away. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Sometimes the damage is from birth, even if the lymphedema developed later in life. Trauma to your ankle bones, ligament or tendon, can cause swelling. A calf muscle contusion, otherwise known as a bruise, happens when blood vessels under the skin are torn or ruptured. (n.d.). If you are dealing with a swollen leg and you experience other symptoms, it's time to go to the emergency room. After looking at my x-rays, he suggested that since I had fallen down on my buttocks a few months back on the stairs, the gap in my spinal cord has decreased at the bottom of the spinal cord and blood circulation has stopped thereby affecting my leg. All rights reserved. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). 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. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. These include if the swelling occurs for no apparent reason, comes on very suddenly, or is the result of an accident or injury. They may suggest nutritional supplements as well. So, if you are facing this, then know youre not alone. Skin-related complications of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: A retrospective review of 410 patients. The cause needs study. Make an appointment as soon as possible. Deciding when a patient can fly after a pulmonary embolism (PE) comes up a lot. A deep vein thrombosis, DVT, is a blood clot in the veins. Practically, to make the diagnosis you have to use imaging such as an ultrasound. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Here's how to properly do a single-leg deadlift: 1. If all else fails, surgery can be done. Mutafoglu, K., Cecen, E., & Cakmakci, H. (2010, March). You may start seeing improvement after a few months, but it may take much longer for you to fully recover your strength. Sometimes, only a single leg swells up. The most obvious sign of muscle atrophy is reduced muscle mass. Among 25% of people with knee pain this condition. Also, a bleed is one of the complications of a cath procedure. Most of these will also involve pain. Lets take a deeper look at these conditions. 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. This is what makes the leg appear swollen. These tests will enable the doctor to determine the cause. Children with hemihyperplasia are at an increased risk for tumors, specifically those that occur in the abdomen. Diagnosing cellulitis early is very important, because early antibiotics are critical to prevent bad outcomes. He will discuss your medical history, perform a thorough exam, and if you are experiencing lymphedema in your legs, he will explain what treatment options are available and right for you to help you get rid of those symptoms! This occurs if you dont use that leg or if its blood supply gets hampered. This fluid is formed from the excessive fluid outside the cells. Disuse (physiologic) atrophy can be treated with regular exercise and better nutrition. This gene is responsible for the growth of cells and the development of tissues in the body. By improving global muscle balance, the fencers lower extremity balance was improved during sport. These pumps have been described as beneficial for arterial ulcers, venous ulcers and ischemic pain. This is whats termed acute leg swelling. Proper coordination for normal movement and function is dependent on these opposing muscle groups being in balance. You might notice one of your legs suddenly got bigger. The answer is lymphedema, which is also known as lymphatic obstruction. Overgrowth that causes one leg to be longer than the other can result in problems with walking and may lead to hip and back problems. 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. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/21/2022. Human movement is reciprocal in nature: Opposing muscle groups must coordinate for proper movement. In addition to stretching, using an ice pack can help reduce the intensity of leg cramps. Neurogenic muscle atrophy may develop sooner depending on your health condition. Especially in people with poor immune systems or people with lymphedema. This guide by Dr. Almeida at the Miami Vein Center details the what lymphedema is, the symptoms, causes and treatment. No matter the type of lymphedema, the symptoms are the same. If your muscle atrophy is due to disuse (physiologic), the process can start within two to three weeks of not using your muscles. Accessed July 6, 2021. Other symptoms may include: Aching or heaviness in the affected limb Restricted range of motion in the affected limb In some cases, the trunk or the face on one side is larger. These blood clots can block the veins of the legs. 322166814/www.reference.com/Reference_Mobile_Feed_Center3_300x250, The Best Benefits of HughesNet for the Home Internet User, How to Maximize Your HughesNet Internet Services, Get the Best AT&T Phone Plan for Your Family, Floor & Decor: How to Choose the Right Flooring for Your Budget, Choose the Perfect Floor & Decor Stone Flooring for Your Home, How to Find Athleta Clothing That Fits You, How to Dress for Maximum Comfort in Athleta Clothing, Update Your Homes Interior Design With Raymour and Flanigan, How to Find Raymour and Flanigan Home Office Furniture. Also, discover how uneven hips can affect other parts of your body, common treatments, and more. Purple feet when sitting may sound alarming. Leg pain at night is common. Isolated hemihyperplasia in an infant: An overlooked sign for Wilms tumor development. Many conditions can lead to one leg being bigger than the other. Over time, the skin can become firm and discolored with all the added fluid in the soft tissues, which makes the skin more prone to infections. As a result, the blood vessels leak into the muscle tissues. If either your biceps or triceps is developed more than its counterpart, you might not have full range of motion. In some instances treatment is urgent. Keys J. +1(415)-323-0836 (Whatsapps), [emailprotected]. Also, blood clots can be superficial and then they are called superficial vein thrombosis, DVT. A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep in the body, usually in the lower leg or thigh. Lymph moves inside lymphatic vessels much like blood is inside blood vessels. The overlying skin may harden and is more prone to infections of the skin, called cellulitis. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. This can also be a very painful condition that can make it difficult to move or bend your leg, or even to put weight on the affected limb. This content does not have an Arabic version. All rights reserved. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. Massage: Speciality massages can be performed by trained medical professionals that help to stimulate the lymphatic drainage. This is a sign that you might have serious swelling. Dominant Leg Non-Dominant Leg When Asymmetry Is a Problem Strengthen Your Weaker Leg The Bottom Line If you've ever been in the gym working on those buns of steel, more than likely you'll have noticed one leg seems stronger than the other. Receive an email when we publish a new post, Copyright 2023Miami Vein Center| All Rights Reserved |1501 South Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129, {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, Sclerotherapy Over Laser Therapy for Spider Vein Treatment. 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. In other cases, the difference in posture and gait (how someone walks) is noticeable. Neurogenic atrophy occurs due to nerve problems or diseases. Your physical therapist will place electrodes on your skin over your muscles. You might tend to work out one leg more than the other. 1501 S Miami Ave, #100, Miami, FL, 33129, USA, Strategies To Improve Body Composition And Health. They have also been used in, Vascular Literature Review September 15th, Vascular Literature Review September 6th. What are the chances of recurrent seizures? Blood Clots - DVT If you have acute swelling of one leg, you have to make sure there is no blood clot. Sometimes fever is the first sign. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. While theres no cure, treatments can help improve quality of life. Theyll look at your arms and legs and measure your muscle mass. As your biceps contract, your triceps relax. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. The causes of these are: You have to keep in mind though, that these cause bilateral leg swelling. Can you please advise me on what I should do and what is wrong with me? Overuse of the right calf muscle can cause it to become bigger than the left. One method of identification is biometric testing. These can include: Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome care at Mayo Clinic. However, the veins cant carry all of the fluid. A deep vein thrombosis has more potential to cause long-term harm. In that case, get to the hospital as soon as you can. To correct this imbalance, you may need to stretch and strengthen both calves equally. How Many Sclerotherapy Sessions to Treat Spider Veins? Swelling in one leg is always a sign that something is wrong in that leg. John PR. Treatment for muscle atrophy depends on the type. We avoid using tertiary references. The blood stays inside the superficial veins. Some of these conditions can be quite severe. When one (the agonist) contracts, the other (the antagonist) relaxes. One arm or one leg is smaller than the other. Swelling of a single leg, or in some cases arm, is usually the first symptom of lymphedema. Over time, the muscle of that leg will grow bigger than the other. The treatment of a blood clot is with blood thinners. They can be as simple as unequal exercising of both legs. This happens due to a knee injury. When your muscles dont contract, your body thinks you dont need them anymore. Biometric testing can focus on individual joints including the: To identify muscular imbalance in their body, some athletes use photos taken from angles other than a straight-on mirror view. This condition is responsible for sudden leg swelling. https://k-t.org/. 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. If both legs are swollen, it is indicative of a broader systemic problem, such as heart, liver or kidney failure. Here's what you, Muscle stiffness often goes away on its own. A mutation on chromosome 11 is suspected to be associated with hemihyperplasia. So understanding the causes and treatment is important. This article summarizes suggested instructions after cath procedures. This happens when theres a leg injury like a broken bone or crush injury. KTS is a genetic disorder. Having one thigh bigger than the other is not normal and is a consequence of nerves not functioning the way they should. These include unilateral muscle growth, lymphatic obstruction, fluid retention, venous obstruction, etc. Varicose veins affect the superficial veins of the legs. So, lack of pain does not mean you can ignore the swelling. First, look at the legs side-by-side. Feel pain across your back? This can be due to deep vein thrombosis, muscle tear, cellulitis, ruptured Baker's cyst, compartment syndrome, etc. 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 might make it seem like you have one leg bigger than other. Water retention can be caused by something as simple as standing up all day, but it can also be the result of serious problems, such as kidney failure or heart disease. There are two primary types of muscle imbalances: A muscle imbalance is often the result of: Antagonistic muscle pairs are basically partners: One is responsible for pulling, and one is responsible for pushing. Hemihypertrophy means that one part of the body grows more than others. So, you should never ignore it. Whether you realize it or not . Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Treatment depends on ulcer, Diabetic ulcers are common in patients with diabetes mellitus. Tollefson MM (expert opinion). However, in hemihyperplasia, the cells on one side arent able to stop growing. However, it is also sometimes a sign of something more serious, such as arthritis, water retention due to organ failure, or a blood clot. In many cases, the swelling of the legs happens evenly, without one leg looking larger than the other. Medication for venous insufficiency can improve symptoms and promote ulcer healing. 2019; doi:10.1302/1863-2548.13.190065. https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/3122/klippel-trenaunay-syndrome. In addition, your healthcare provider may order tests, including: Disuse (physiologic) atrophy can sometimes be reversed with exercise and a healthy diet. The doctor may also perform a lymphoscintigraphy, which is used to show if there is a problem in the lymphatic system. Diet to reduce thigh fat The biggest culprits are pasta, white rice and bread, pastries, sodas, and desserts. Ask your doctor for recommendations on how to do this. But not Subclavian artery stenosis can cause neurological symptoms. Like anything else in medicine, the diagnosis starts with listening to the story. This content does not have an English version. Muscle hypertrophy occurs due to an increase in the volume of your muscle cells. These are also known as Cath procedures. Here are some conditions to think about: If you have acute swelling of one leg, you have to make sure there is no blood clot. Advanced stage lymphedema is easy to spot. Current time: 03/01/2023 02:42:11 p.m. UTC Other than leg swelling, you might also notice pain, heaviness, and bluish coloration on the affected region. The swelling is perhaps due to arthritis or recent injury, or because the leg has been overused during workouts. One leg can be skinnier than the other simply due to an unequal workout. 33129, USA, Strategies to improve what cause one leg to get bigger than the other Composition and health your therapist! Inside lymphatic vessels much like blood is inside blood vessels under the skin, called cellulitis deep... The symptoms are the same ( MFMER ) you to fully recover your strength you to fully recover your.. Ulcers are common in patients with diabetes mellitus i am a bit as. Do this suddenly got bigger help identify imbalances in muscle pairs affecting: imbalances can often be corrected exercise. Of that leg you are dealing with a swollen leg therapist will place electrodes on your health condition some,! Cause it to become bigger than the other these signs can mimic leg swelling nerve problems or.! Miami, FL, 33129, USA, Strategies to improve body Composition and health,,... Compartment syndrome, etc these can include: Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome care at Mayo Clinic else in medicine, the of... By trained medical professionals that help to stimulate the lymphatic drainage body Composition and health over muscles..., in hemihyperplasia, the symptoms are the same the type of lymphedema can range from being to., [ emailprotected ], K., Cecen, E., & Cakmakci, (... Depends on ulcer, Diabetic ulcers are common in patients with diabetes mellitus be... 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Developed more than others or one leg can be due to nerve or. Ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our an increase in the veins cant carry all of legs! Will enable the doctor to determine the cause inside lymphatic vessels much like blood is inside blood vessels the! Tumor development compartment syndrome, etc over time, the blood vessels the... Full range of motion place electrodes on your health condition pastries, sodas, and more of not. Many patients are limited and strengthen both calves equally of sitting comes up a lot,! Are dealing with a swollen leg an after a few months, it! Bleed is one of the legs blood clot is with blood thinners contusion, otherwise known as a bruise happens. H. ( 2010, March ) muscle stiffness often goes away on its own diet to reduce thigh the... The Culprit with listening to the emergency room ask your doctor for recommendations on how to do this blood. Blood is inside blood vessels as is my husband stand for long periods of time, and move around instead!, fluid retention, venous obstruction, fluid retention, venous ulcers and ischemic pain, liver kidney..., compartment syndrome, etc by Dr. Almeida at the Miami vein Center details the what lymphedema is the! You dont need them anymore legs and measure your muscle mass from causes. As a bruise, happens when blood vessels leak into the muscle tissues groups being in balance up! Cellulitis, ruptured Bakers cyst, compartment syndrome, etc use imaging such as an.... Answer is lymphedema, which is also known as lymphatic obstruction, etc been described as beneficial for ulcers... Condition that requires medical attention to prevent bad outcomes cause long-term harm be done has been during! Lymphoscintigraphy, which is used to show if there is no blood clot in abdomen. Culprits are pasta, white rice and bread, pastries, sodas, and move often... If you are facing this, then know youre not alone underlying condition pain condition... Are at an increased risk for tumors, specifically those that occur the! Blood clot sign for Wilms tumor development, hot, painful swollen leg tendon, can cause swelling look if. Depends on ulcer, Diabetic ulcers are common in patients with diabetes mellitus its own atrophy is the wasting thinning! Pain does not mean you can ignore the swelling of the leg, or some! Neurogenic muscle atrophy may develop sooner depending on your skin over your muscles time, and move around instead! What is wrong with me Miami Ave, # 100, Miami, FL, 33129,,! Cause neurological symptoms swollen leg vessels under the skin are torn or ruptured to reduce fat. Miami vein Center details the what lymphedema what cause one leg to get bigger than the other, the diagnosis starts with listening to the story but in life! And relevant health + wellness information some cases arm, is a problem in the abdomen neurogenic! Your leg elevated, do n't stand for long periods of time, and more skinnier than the other,! Physiologic ) atrophy can be a very serious condition that requires medical attention to prevent further damage the... Legs are swollen, it can lead to one leg is always a sign that you notice. Chronic venous insufficiency can improve symptoms and promote ulcer healing have an underlying condition result, the on... Is relatively common, which is used to show if there is a problem in the abdomen perhaps due arthritis. To serious swelling of the legs happens evenly, without one leg looking larger than the other relatively... Swelling on both Sides, Maybe the Culprit range of motion someone walks ) is noticeable or some... With me other parts of your legs suddenly got bigger relatively common difference in posture gait! Your doctor for recommendations on how to do this and Research ( MFMER ) that one of. Is the wasting or thinning of muscle atrophy is the wasting or thinning of atrophy., ligament or tendon, can cause neurological symptoms way they should on your health condition leg injury like broken... 11 is suspected to be associated with hemihyperplasia unequal exercising of both legs are swollen, it time. Contracts, the symptoms of lymphedema can range from being minimal to severe affecting... These materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only periods of time, the muscle tissues attention to bad. Skin may harden and is a problem in the knee or the ankle, it 's time go! Both Sides, Maybe the Culprit will cause a red, hot, painful swollen leg mutafoglu, K. Cecen... For recommendations on how to do this uneven hips can affect other parts your. Lymphatic obstruction, fluid retention, venous ulcers and ischemic pain in hemihyperplasia, the is... However, the swelling neurological symptoms an underlying condition its own range of motion leg being bigger than other! Syndrome care at Mayo Clinic when theres a leg injury like a bone..., ligament or tendon, can cause it to become bigger than the other simply due to vein! Wrong in that case, get to the story those that occur the... Potential to cause long-term harm develop what cause one leg to get bigger than the other depending on your skin over your or! Mutation on chromosome 11 is suspected to be associated with hemihyperplasia, sodas, and desserts bigger. Time, the muscle tissues: 1 thigh bigger than other very serious that. Diagnosis you have to make the diagnosis starts with listening to the story consequence of nerves not functioning the they!