Swelling in the legs (edema) occurs when fluid becomes trapped in the soft tissues of the leg from malfunctioning valves in the veins. When the valves in leg veins begin to weaken, or fail, the blood can no longer be pumped out of the legs properly. This causes fluid and blood to become trapped in the legs. When the fluid begins to build up, the leg may begin to swell. The term for the buildup of fluid which leads to swelling in the body is edema.
AAt La Jolla Vein & Vascular, we can assist in the diagnosis of a vascular cause of leg swelling by using duplex ultrasound. Duplex ultrasound can diagnose a blood clot or venous reflux.