Edema and Ulcers: The Risk You Might Not Know About
Let’s talk straight.
You see a little swelling in your feet or ankles. Maybe it’s been happening off and on. You sit down, prop your feet up, and it goes down—kind of. So you brush it off.
Here’s the thing:
That swelling? It’s called edema. And it’s not just a “normal” part of aging, standing too long, or hot weather. It’s a signal. A red flag. A warning light on the dashboard of your body that something’s not working right under the surface.
And if you ignore it?
That “little swelling” can turn into something way worse: an ulcer that doesn’t heal.
Let’s break this down like we’re sitting at the kitchen table.
What Is Edema, Really?
Edema is when fluid builds up in your tissues—most often your lower legs, feet, or ankles. It might start soft and squishy. Later, your skin might get tight, shiny, or even feel warm to the touch.
It can be caused by:
Poor circulation
Vein issues (like varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency)
Heart, kidney, or liver trouble
Just plain gravity when blood isn’t pumping right
The pressure from that extra fluid stretches your skin.
And stretched skin? It’s like a worn-out rubber band—weak, thin, and ready to snap.
That’s where ulcers come in.
How Edema Leads to Foot and Leg Ulcers
Ulcers don’t just show up overnight like a surprise guest. They form when the skin breaks down from pressure and poor blood flow.
If your leg is swollen and full of fluid, your skin is under stress. Add a small scrape, bump, or even a scratch from your own nails, and bam—you’ve got an open sore. And because the circulation is already poor, it heals slower than it should… if it heals at all.
Now you’ve got a wound that won’t close.
And that’s an ulcer.
Left alone, it can get infected. Spread. Land you in the hospital. Or worse.
What to Look Out For
Here’s what should have you picking up the phone to call us:
Legs or ankles that are swollen every day, even just a little
Skin that’s red, shiny, or tight
A sore that doesn’t seem to be healing
A callus or rough patch that starts feeling painful
Skin that feels warm or tender, especially on the lower leg
And if you’ve already got an ulcer—or something that looks like one—don’t wait.
What We Do to Help
At our clinic, we’ve seen hundreds of people come in thinking, “It’s just a little swelling.”
What they didn’t know is that edema is a ticking clock. The longer you wait, the harder it gets to fix.
We help you stop ulcers before they start—and heal the ones that already have.
We look at:
What’s causing the swelling (it’s not always obvious)
Whether there’s hidden damage under the skin
How to relieve pressure and get healing going again
And how to protect your skin long-term
This isn’t just bandages and ointments. This is real, targeted care designed to get results. We use advanced tools and techniques that most people don’t even know exist—because we live and breathe foot and leg health every single day.
You Don’t Need to Suffer in Silence
Listen, we know it’s easy to ignore a little swelling.
We know life gets busy.
But if your legs or feet are swollen—and especially if there’s a sore that won’t heal—you need to get it checked.
You don’t have to tough it out.
You don’t have to live with pain.
And you sure as heck don’t have to risk infection or worse.
We’re here. We’re ready. And we’re good at what we do.
Call us today and let’s take care of that swelling before it becomes something bigger.
