Build-up of blood in one foot?

Question

My left foot started feeling strange about a week ago, and the feeling has grown more defined and more intense every day since. I can feel blood building up, in the middle, centre area of it. It builds up and up over the space of ten seconds, then the pressure is quite intense and verging on painful, then the blood seems to surge out and get through whatever the blockage was, and it feels normal again.

Spoke to NHS direct this morning and they were useless.

It eases when I lie down or elevate the foot. I'm not stressed, don't have a history of high blood pressure, but do have bits of cartilage floating about in my knees (apparently), which causes my legs to go a bit dead sometimes. I'm wondering if it's the same problem? I haven't injured the foot at all. Early 20s.

Thanks

Answer 1

sounds like you could have peripheral vascular disease, suggest you consult your doctor about it.

Answer 2

I would be inclined to rule out the possibility of peripheral vascular disease, the symptoms of which include cold feet, - cramping pain or fatigue in the calves which occurs during walking and disappears at rest, - burning pain in the feet or toes. If you had had a back injury involving the T2, T3, and T4 vertebrae this might have some bearing, but you do not give this information. As particular problems occur with the feet in diabetes, a urine test might be an eliminating exercise (no pun intended). You state that you have pieces of cartilage 'floating' within the knee joint, these are referred to as 'joint mice'. It is not likely that they would affect the blood supply to just the foot, without affecting the leg also. The symptoms that you describe resemble those of venous insufficiency and / or varicose veins. In women, excessive swelling may be a sign of pre-eclampsia during pregnancy. As you state that the symptoms are worsening, you would be advised to consult your doctor for examination and diagnosis, at your earliest convenience. With the information that you provide a definitive diagnosis is impossible, especially in a forum.
Hope this helps
matador 89

Answer 3

There could be a few diagnoses for your symproms - NHS direct can only go by what you tell them, and without you in front of them, it would be difficult to assess!

My first impulse would be to investigate heart problems - very often these can result in swelling and tingling of the left foot in particular. I would also ask to be investigated for intermittent claudication which is as the name suggests is an intermittent interruption of the blood flow to the legs. Both of these conditions can be alleviated with medication.

Another cause could be referred pain from a DVT ( you may have heard of air travellers suffering from these). Yours could be a small piece of cartilege floating around and blocking the smallest of vessels in your circulatory system. This can be serious and you need reassurance from your GP.

Although varicous veins are alleviated by elevating the legs, believe me as a sufferer, you would know if you had varicous veins - they are like big bulbs over the tracks of your veins which stick out more when you stand and ache like mad ( and itch!) if you have to stand for a long time.

There are other diagnoses, which your doctor should be investigating, but initially I would ask for some tests on your circulation to your extremeties, and a full cardiac assessment.

Do you suffer with Raynaud's syndrome? (Fingers and sometimes toes go completely white and numb to the point of pain in cold weather?) This is another circulatory problem which could give clues to your diagnosis.

Answer 4

Believe me, I have been around in medicine for 30 years and I have no idea from your description what you could possibly be talking about, so I am not surprised that NHS Direct had no clue!

Go see your GP, perhaps the diagnosis will be easier if you are examined.

Answer 5

Could it be fluid that is building up (water) rather than blood. Go see your GP/Doctor.