Oedema

Watery fluid leaves the blood vessels or lymphatics and accumulates in the tissues. Oedema causes painless swelling of the affected tissues and is often called “water in the legs”. Various diseases may cause ankle and leg oedema, e.g. heart or kidney disease. The legs may also swell up in the advanced stages of varicose veins or other venous system disorders. Oedema due to venous disease is characterised by indentation with pressure; that means it retains a visible impression of a finger after it had been pressed firmly into the tissues. Oedema tends to be worse in warm weather and towards the end of the day. Swelling is also noticeable after wearing socks with narrow elastic cuffs all day – a deep circular groove around the leg can be seen when the socks are taken off.