... and calf were almost twice their normal size last night and it was very worrying. I read stenosis can cause this. I tried ice and also even taking a short walk to reduce the swelling. I am on a low salt diet and did not change anything. That same leg today is cramping and starting to swell again. Do any of you know about this? The swelling went down somewhat over night but is still there, in only ONE leg! Thanks for any answers! may relief find us all. I have to go the PT for the first time today and see what she says as well. hugs!
Back Pain - Has anyone had one leg swelling related to spinal stenosis and DDD. My toes, foot, ankle
Question posted by amandastenosis on 12 Oct 2011
Last updated on 13 October 2018
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
11 Answers
Gerky
6 Feb 2018
I recently had swelling in my feet and ankles. And also had some low back issues. I went to my chiropractor about it, and he said swelling ankles and feet are common among people with lower back issues. So he had me lay on a foam wedge that was pressed against my L5 vertebrae. Along with 25lbs laid on my stomach. Within 2 minutes i had some very strange sensations moving all throughout my ankles and feet. And within 20 minutes, the swelling had gone down about 90%. One more treatment is all it took to get the feet back to normal. So yes, swelling feet and ankles can be a back issue.
RASAETC
5 Nov 2017
No idea what all this means, but if i can alleviate just a few things I would be happy: 1. Mild congenital central canal stenosis at L2-L3 and L3-L4.
2. Mild L4-L5 central canal stenosis.
Narrative
MRI SPINE LUMBAR (CPT=72148)
CLINICAL INDICATION: Low back pain
TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar and multisequence MR imaging was performed through the lumbar spine using the
standard MR protocol.
COMPARISON: None
FINDINGS: Vertebral bodies are normal in alignment. Vertebral body heights are well-maintained.
Conus medullaris ends at the inferior endplate of T12 with normal signal and morphology.
L1-L2: Normal
L2-L3: Mild congenital central canal stenosis. Patent neural foramina.
L3-L4: Mild congenital central canal stenosis. Patent neural foramina.
L4-L5: Severe bilateral facet joint hypertrophy and ligamentum flavum buckling. Diffuse posterior
disc bulge. Constellation of findings causes mild central canal stenosis. Mild bilateral neural from
stenosis.
L5-S1: Posterior/left paracentral annular fissure with mild protrusion. No central canal stenosis.
No neural foraminal stenosis. Mild bilateral facet joint hypertrophy.
Component Results
RASAETC
5 Nov 2017
I have RA, COPD, SLeep APnea, Type II, Hashimotos. The last few weeks my right leg has been swelling, Ultrasound cleared of clots or blockages and sometiems rushing feeling
Just had MRI of back:
I have no idea what all this means but my upper back of the neck hurts ALL the time, my lowerback 70-90% of the time
This is all new to me
lyndalee53
17 Sep 2017
Yes, I've had Spinal Stenosis,
lyndalee53
29 Aug 2017
Yes I have the same problem in fact I've been trying to find out more about it. I'm so sorry you have the same problem I have but I'm so glad I found someo b e else has the same problem. I had Spinal Stenosis surgery a year ago and I'm actually worse right now. My left leg is swollen all the time and painful to. I can't go to a lot of places because I can't stand to long.
Jay4174
29 Aug 2017
Hopefully we do d some answers and sorry to hear about you going thru this, I was just referred to a spine doctor that is really good and now have server si joint pain that is crippling and as I know all to well about being stuck at home now most days I'm stuck in bed
Jay4174
6 Aug 2017
This is late but I have left calf pain and swelling after my car accident in Sept, I had a herniated dish L5 L6 and had surgery, I been to many doctors and they all are lost to why I have the calf pain and swelling, I went to Mary free bed and got this diagnosis CRPS program, it stands for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. What used to be call RSD.
falcon802619
18 Oct 2016
When I first posted this I asked any information. Now the Emergency go to your dr hospital okay if its a first event of it . Its not not by any means. But I went no clots no high bp , perfectly fine in every aspect except swelling of my left foot ankle and calf. Now to add to this I tore my L3 and L4 also herniated both 6 yrs ago workers comp so never repaired. Pain is what your mind and body agree on and to what extent. Ive described it as being hit by a baseball bat full swing into the small of my back. Some days I can walk some is in a wheelchair. It varies. The swelling though happens in the spring routinely 1-2 months of it and then goes away almost over night. Its so routine my dr has dates marked as to when it starts and when it ends. No change in physical activity around these dates, just weather. This years attempt to alleviate the pain was nerve burning total waste of time and money. Then as the nerves grew back the pain was 100 fold worse than to begin with.
To explain nature of original injury I was using a gas leaf blower that virtually exploded mid waist. I landed on a concrete sidewalk, when I came to my legs both felt as if on fire but we not. Ive had permanent weakness in my left leg haven't felt my toes beyond pins and needles since but big toe I can maintain some balance. I walk with a cane, without it is a matter of feet , bad days its in a chair. sleep is 3-4 hrs in a group several times a day I can sit but only supported , prone is painful standing very pain full to the degree I pant to breath. Havent had one answer past the panicked its a blood clot .
Nikadd
19 Oct 2016
Hi I found your post as I have just had surgery for a herniated disc at L5 S1 . I have primary Lymphodema but with no explanation as to what really causes the swelling in my leg . I wonder if there is a connection to the disc bulging and flow of lymph fluid from my leg . Doctors really don't have a clue about Lymphodema unless it's been caused by the removal of lymph nodes during treatment for cancer. I had a guy fall on me a few months ago which compressed my spine and then caused my disc to prolapse, my leg has been more swollen since the accident and my foot in particular has been very big. I lost sensation in my left leg and foot the day the disc prolapsed in July this year . I was hoping that once the piece of disc had been removed from my nerve that the sensation would start to return . My accident was in March , prolapsed in July and operation last week 7th October , I am still numb and my foot and leg swollen.
If you still have leg swelling you should wear compression stockings , these will help the fluid to move out of your leg . I know it's early days for me post Op , praying that I do get some feeling back to my foot and leg. Thank you for your post , I think there is almost certainly a link between herniated discs and swelling in legs . I wish you all the best , life is not easy .
mssamjan
4 May 2017
I have spondyliosis and get terribly swollen feet and legs - once I get a spinal epidural - one week to the day they are perfectly normal. You'd never know how painful and swollen they were.
Lmw2977
18 Oct 2016
How ironic! I'm here searching for answers to why my feet are swelling up and I see your comment! So to answer that I say yes because I to have spinal stenosis and when ever I sit for long periods my feet and my right knee swell up.
katsam26
30 Dec 2014
I have had 2 mri on legs, and xrays, that show nothing but swelling and a small cyst behind left knee but I also have very restricted movement in left leg with pain and swelling. Can't lift leg above about 5 inches and can't bend it enough to put socks on or wash feet. I have had shin split pain and lack of movement since taking antibiotic called levaquin. I have also been through 3 rounds of pt with 3 different specialists. Fingers and hands go to sleep all the time. Anyone have any answers?
Electric Mom
18 Aug 2016
I was wondering if you are taking any special Meds? My boyfriend's hands and arms would begin falling asleep as soon as he laid down at night and his feet would hurt all the time.. He stopped taking his Adderal and it went away.
mwalker63
13 Oct 2011
Dear Amanda:
As a healthcare professional the fact that you have leg swelling and cramping on only one leg puts red flags up for me. This can only be caused by something circulatory. You might have a deep vein thrombosis which can be serious or fatal if it breaks loose. I am no doctor and you should consult with one but I would get it looked at quickly. usually if it is neurological in nature, unless it is caused by some sort of trauma, acute swelling with pain or cramping can signal a D.V.T. If you flex your foot up towards your head and get pain in your calf, that is what is called a positive homan's sign which could be a D.V.t. I would really go see you doctor if it is still there, no since playing around with it. It is easily treated. Let me know if I can be of any other help, Good luck, God bless, peace...
Mike
amandastenosis
14 Oct 2011
My physical therapist is a DPT, a physician, and she saw me yesterday. She said that one leg swelling is often a symptom of the irritated nerves from spinal stenosis, especially the middle back stenosis. She looked at the leg carefully and also agreed that salt intake may be part of the problem because my husband hooked the water softener back up and forgot to tell me. So I was drinking soft water. He thought I was drinking the other water we get, and could not believe I did not taste the salt, but when it is in tea and also your food, a bad situation happened, there is swelling through out my body, that one leg is just most obvious because perhaps inflamed nerves on that side due to stenosis and salt intake, yuck! Anyway, yes if she saw any other symptoms or if it continued my Physical Therapist, said yes please go the ER. If the cramping continues, if the swelling does not start to go down in 24 hours, If you cannot use the leg or walk go to ER. She said to watch it carefully.
It is still a little swollen like both legs are, but is much better now, without drinking damn salt water (watch those soft water machines, jeez). Also, I went for a walk and I am going for another today. Lack of activity waiting for doctor appointments and in serious pain is slowing down recovery and making things worse... I do see my doctor that manages my medications this coming week so hopefully we will figure something out that helps me endure the physical therapy without screaming. I am lucky I have a good PT and my doctor is good as well. If the swollen leg comes back or gets worse I will definitely go to the ER for them to check it out. There are so many weird symptoms of stenosis and heriated disc it is hard to know what is going on. Then there are medication reactions and other things. So thank you for answering... you are right thought DVT, I read about it and it is very, very serious. It is a killer, I don't want that, that is for sure.
hugs and hope you all feel some relief today. Thank you! Amanda
glenmar
14 June 2012
I just found this post and know its old but would really like to hear more input on this. I have had 8 spinal surgeries and am fused from T10 all the way down. Also have had severe spinal stenonis in the past. Now, 3 years post since my last fusion, I am having severe pain, tingling, numbness and weakness in both legs. But what is new and really concerning me is the way my legs are swelling. The right one is worse. Doppler studies say my veins are fine. This morning when I got out of bed, both feet were so swollen it hurt to walk. Can this be caused by the spinal stenosis? Still waiting for an MRI.
This has been going on for months and getting worse all the time.
MacO123
4 June 2014
I too have spinal stenosis and I have the same thing happen. Usually the swelling flares up, when I have low back and mid back issues. This also happens more when I'm sitting therefore putting more pressure on the low back. It only happens in one leg, the side with the stenosis.
Gypsijo
7 Dec 2014
Dear Amanda;
I have had two back surgeries and the first one failed. I had no insurance at the time and I worked until I literally could not walk. I have spinal stenosis on multiple levels and is worse than ever. I noticed about the time I had the first surgery, 2009; that my left foot would swell if I was on it a lot. This progressed until now If I am sitting up, my left calf and foot swell, and the ONLY thing that relieves the swelling is if I lay prone for several hours. I mean I have to have my spine straight, not just elevate the leg. Sadly this is every single day now. The more I am moving, like switching from sitting to standing to walking, the slower the progression. If I am just sitting, like in waiting rooms or even the kitchen table or living room; within two hours my foot will double in size. The doctors said I waited too long before the first surgery and have permanent nerve damage. I was glad to see your comment when I googled this subject.
I have a lousy family doc who doesn't hear anything I say and my neurosurgeon says that I need fusion, but since I live alone he won't do it. He's not sure I have enough bone left for the hardware now. I am literally forced to spend hours in bed daily, or deal with the extreme burning as the blood slowly returns to my foot. I can deal with most of the "lasting damage", including affects of 2400 mg of gabepentin a day; but my "forced" isolation and withdrawal to my bed is the one thing that causes a deep depression. Thanks for the outlet.
dreamteam1984
7 Dec 2014
Hi I'm 30years old and couple weeks ago I had lower back pain, waking up early hours of the morning in agony not being able to lie on it, this went on around 4-5 days, I then started to feel pain in my lower left leg from the calf downwards, it started to get worse everyday, mainly on the night time when i was resting it, I was thinking it could be sciatica but then after 4-5 days of it my foot/ankle swelled, I know struggle to put weight on it and the back pain had gone off until I've been told to rest it, my back is starting to give me grief again with the laying down, any ideas... also twice I've had my bloods took by the doctor and it showed an infection both times but borderline and because I had an upset stomach my gp was happy to put the infection down to that and also told me its muscular pain ...
Tracey1962
4 Feb 2015
I have very bad back problems, so much so that surgery has made this much worse. I have a loose screw on T5. I have to have further sugery because how the dr dod the work has inky made my back blow out worse in the top from T5 and up. 3 days ago i noticed my left leg all the way down from my groun to my foot is double if not triple in suze, going to the bathroom it feels like ive ripped all the myssels its gurts. Ive dont nothing but gave my leg elevated, and rest but nothing is making this swellling go down. Im stressed and sick of always being a drama i dont wa b t to upset my family with this.
falcon802619
10 Sep 2015
Amanda I have toe same sort of issue. 7 years ago I herniated and tore my L5 . In PT after the first week I began swelling in both legs to the knees. a year like that , repeatedly tested with negative results and MANY,MANY doctors telling me it was completely unrelated. Specialist added buffering to my disk ( sorry cant recall the procedures name) with in a day I moved into the bathroom. Week later all the swelling was gone and I was to the point of unable to wear even sweat pants I was so swollen.. No problems since till yesterday out of the blue no trauma, no reason for it to kick up again. Both calf's ankles and feet blew up . I'm now doing what the doctors would not and researching it on my own. Has to be some correlation to the injury.
msparks1070
9 Sep 2016
Looking at the date this was posted I am not sure if this will even b seen by the user who asked thus question, however, my right foot and ankle are swelled over twice the normal size at the moment. I have severe stenosis, severe DDD, 2 ruptured discs, sciatica and pinched nerves in my lumbar and as such with the new concern over the Opioid epidemic mh DE added Gabapentin (Neurontin) and it seemed too be helping a lot in the initial three months I was taking it. I was prescribed quantity 3 of the 300 milligram capsules per day. In the fourth month I had debilitating pain in my right leg to the point that I couldn't walk for almost a week. Immediately reduced my own regiment down to qty 1 of 300mg per day. I have been taking that for about 3 months and now I have this swelling that's unexplainable. Severe pain in your leg leg/foot is not recognized as a side effect. However I am not the only person to experience this type of pain and I believe it's directly connected to the medication
Inactive
12 Oct 2011
You need to see your doctor as soon as possible. Do not walk when a leg is swelled or swelling. You could be have a phlebitis or blood clot problem. Keep the leg raised above the heart level until you can get in to the doctor. If the pain is severe, go to the ER. I haven't read where stenosis can cause leg swelling. Infact, it can cause athropy (sp) of the leg muscles & make the leg smaller...
Inactive
13 Oct 2011
I agree - this is nothing to mess around with. Could be a blood clot, infection - nothing good and nothing to wait around with. I would head to the ER.
Patty71643
13 Oct 2018
I have litterly been complaining of my legs , feet, hands , arms and my back at my shoulder blade , going numb and or tingling since I was in my teens and I'm 54 now. More than my share of MRI, s, Drs always say they dont know why, for 3 wks now half my right foot is numb, go to the dr, he sending me to physical therapy. Guess my foot has to fall off to get a Dr interested enough to find my problem, and both legs , it's like my thighs swell then during my 10 hr work shifts standing the whole time, the fluid I'm guessing causing the swelling drains below my knees into my calfs and little to my ankles and feet. Any suggestion will be deeply appreciated.
Patty71643
13 Oct 2018
I have litterly been complaining of my legs , feet, hands , arms and my back at my shoulder blade , going numb and or tingling since I was in my teens and I'm 54 now. More than my share of MRI, s, Drs always say they dont know why, for 3 wks now half my right foot is numb, go to the dr, he sending me to physical therapy. Guess my foot has to fall off to get a Dr interested enough to find my problem, and both legs , it's like my thighs swell then during my 10 hr work shifts standing the whole time, the fluid I'm guessing causing the swelling drains below my knees into my calfs and little to my ankles and feet. Any suggestion will be deeply appreciated.
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