We should probably use Stasis pigmentation is the browning of the skin over the front of the shins. In a healthy foot, blood circulates smoothly through the arteries and capillaries without stopping. Posted It's either up and looks perfect, or down and bright red. If the foot discoloration persists, your doctor may recommend additional tests. As before, pooled blood can loose its oxygen and look blue. Sometimes the cause is just cold exposure. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Henoch-Schonlein purpura. I found lots of articles describing people who got their hands on some kind of mystery cream that turned their feet purple overnight. If youre unsure of the cause, see your doctor. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). The swelling will definitely go down, you're only early in your recovery. I thought that would dissapear with the swelling going down but apparently that's not the case. They wrap around your ankles snugly to provide gentle compression. A foot fracture can occur from an accident, increased activity, or repetitive activity. Amazing I thought I was the only one who could do that but apparently there are a few of me. Some foot discolorations can be a sign of a serious medical problem, so its important to seek medical care if this discoloration persists. If the injury is not too severe, the swelling and purple purplish hue will likely go away in a matter of some days. Here's how it can affect your health. Compression and ice will also help to reduce inflammation. respect of any healthcare matters. In serious cases, you may also feel pain when youre at rest. Click here for an email preview. 5 Ways to Increase Nitric Oxide Naturally, What You Need to Know About Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis. But, in elderly things may be more complicated. Venous stasis due to pooling of venous blood in the Read More. Foot numbness is the loss of sensory nerve function, usually caused by a decrease in blood flow, to the foot's nerves. Everytime i have to put my foot down it goes purple which makes it really uncomfortable. However, its also possible that an underlying condition is causing the discoloration. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a25e2fd65b427b10970dc1e764af5955" );document.getElementById("hd47555f6e").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Cold temperatures can reduce circulation in your hands and feet, healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2013/12/120913_frostbite.php, aofas.org/footcaremd/conditions/diabetic-foot/Pages/Diabetic-Foot-Problems.aspx, cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/r/raynauds-phenomenon.html, merckmanuals.com/home/heart-and-blood-vessel-disorders/peripheral-arterial-disease/acrocyanosis, besancon-cardio.org/recommandations/insuf-chr.htm, Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS, The Smart Girls Guide to Healthy, Happy Feet, Treatment Options for Peripheral Artery Disease. You can do this by putting a cover over your dressing. You might notice swelling in your lower legs and ankles and have cuts or bruises that dont heal properly. WebThere are multiple possibilities for purple discoloration of the feet but the most common are-1. This is one of the more dangerous causes of purple feet. If you notice that your ankle turns purple after an injury, it is a sign that your ligaments have been sprained. Veinous insufficiency In about two weeks, the bruise will return to a normal color. Arteries are tubes lined with elastic cells. Alternative Names Heel cord tear; Calcaneal tendon rupture References A single black toe may mean that toe is dying. Thanks again. You will also need to wrap your foot in a soft dressing. Last medically reviewed on June 26, 2018. This helps to keep the skin clean and prevent the skin from becoming dry and damaged. However, do not apply ice directly to the skin. Minimal swelling. For blood to reach the feet the heart needs to work properly and there needs to be adequate blood pressure. In this case, blood circulation is blocked completely and no longer supplies oxygen and nutrients to the muscles. However, this may not appear for a couple of days. In other words, you should avoid strenuous activities and sports. It can arise abruptly and develop into a painful condition quickly. 4 years ago, But they can also be nothing to worry about. Arteries constrict in the cold. Medical treatment will vary depending on the severity of the injury and the location of the foot. Treat it carefully and have it evaluated by a doctor. 1two9. Some people have external fixation, where the hardware is outside of the skin. When blood returns to the heart, it picks up additional energy from the pump action of the heart. See a physician immediately. Since the diameter of capillary openings is small, only molecules of certain sizes can pass through. You could also have a blood clot thats blocking blood flow in an artery. ** Foot Color and Temperature With Arterial Disease If youve recently suffered an ankle injury, you may be wondering why your foot is turning purple. Blood reaches your feet through a network of arteries, which are the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart. Accessed May 13, 2019. My foot (and up to my calf/knee region) turns the most lovely shade of purple and red if it is down for @ 60 seconds or more. Wounds should be kept clean and dry; dressing changes should be performed every two days. For instance, many elderly people take medication that can make leg swelling worse. If any tissue is permanently damaged, it may have to be surgically removed. First, the Purple feet are sometimes a sign of danger. Registered in England and Wales. My surgeon said that this was all normal, and he agreed that starting to sit in the chair with the foot down and get the foot to start getting acclimated to the circulation pressure again couldn't hurt. I had the same surgery almost 14 weeks ago. While healing, it goes through different color changes depending on the severity and depth of the bruise. Some people have external fixation, where the hardware is outside of the skin. Avoid socks made of polypropylene, cotton or wool. Both feet turn deep purple when I get in hot water and are tight. Our clinical information meets the standards set by the NHS in their Standard for Creating Health Content guidance. Keeping your toes in tip-top shape is key to staying pain-free. Sprained ankles and stubbed toes may cause pain for a few days or longer. I looked down at my feet. I have significant pain/discoloration/swelling, but when my foot is elevated its completely normal and no pain. What is really upsetting me is the color my foot turns when it is down. In order to properly assess your condition, a doctor should perform a thorough exam. I am almost in tears of relief after reading what you wrote. This content does not have an English version. Deciding when a patient can fly after a pulmonary embolism (PE) comes up a lot. A deep vein thrombosis, DVT, is a blood clot in the veins. Severe venous stasis can also interfere with the movement of lymphatic fluid, causing lymphedema. When could you start walking with knee scooter or crutches. If the color changes turn from white to blue to red, that might be Raynaud phenomenon Obviously, the most severe form of cold exposure is frostbite. There are a few things about purple feet that should tip you off that something unusual is happening that you should pay close attention to: I really dont know what is going on with my feet, they are both tight all the time, I know I have scar tissue in right one but left one feels same way and I have not had surgery on it in about 25 yrs. I would not wish this on my worst enemy! Now trying pitting it down for short time 5 mins And then elevated for 5 mins to try and get circulation back Also quite painful at times still. The most common causes include falling, impact injuries, and repetitive activity without adequate rest. It usually takes up to 48 hours for a bruise to develop completely and usually takes up to 2 weeks to disappear. Dedeoglu F, et al. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Patient is a UK registered trade mark. Similarly, elevating your legs can decrease the amount of pressure exerted on the veins in your calves. My advice would be not to let the horror stories get you down. The feet are particularly prone to discoloration as they are further You probably know that sitting or lying down increases the risk of developing varicose veins. (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[3]='WEBSITE';ftypes[3]='text';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); Catheter based interventions for pulmonary embolism is on the rise. The changes can be mild or severe. When youre lying down, your heart pumps blood throughout your body using muscular contraction. I walk pretty normal now, however, I do have a built up shoe now. A sprain often results in swelling and bruising of the foot. How long should you elevate a broken ankle? They are actually more like a combination, Vascular Literature Review September 15th, Vascular Literature Review September 6th. Das S, et al. In some cases, a bruise may be mistaken for a broken toe. Santilli J, et al. However, this condition does not necessarily need to be treated with X-rays. I can't wait for them to get better. The result is high blood pressure, which puts extra strain on the heart. https://patient.info/forums/discuss/2-5-weeks-after-orif-and-foot-still-goes-purple-when-i-put-it-down--521514. Your doctor can also recommend nutritional guidelines to help you stay healthy and avoid a heart-related problem. The trick to solving this problem is understanding leg Liposuction for lymphedema has emerged as a promising lymphedema treatment. Obviously, that is not happening with a casted foot. If you have type 1 diabetes, you may also need regular injections of insulin. Here are two examples: Blood clots are also known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT. Your doctor will assess the injury to determine whether it is serious or not. But sometimes testing can add information. As the arteries narrow, pressure builds up on either side of the narrowed section. Accessed May 18, 2021. Anyone can develop it, but the condition usually begins in your teens or 20s. Discoloration is normal. 56 users are following. I'm just pushing forward through the oak to get things done around my house, plus I have two kids so things need to get done. The treatment of foot injury is relatively simple. I was transported from one hospital to another one (and like yourself it was a county hospital ) to have emergency surgery. Make sure the bandage is not too tight so as not to cause further damage. Take care. PAD is caused by narrowing of the artery walls, making it hard for blood to flow freely. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. I discovered if I elevated my hands and feet it stopped in about 5 minutes. Regardless of the type of injury, you should consult a qualified podiatrist for proper care. I was non weight bearing for 6 weeks. If your child develops the rash associated with this condition, see your doctor as soon as possible. We'll tell you the many benefits (and one risk) of keeping your feet cozy at night. Learn how we can help. Chronic venous insufficiency means that the veins in the legs are not working properly. If you have leukocytoclastic vasculitis, it means the small blood vessels in your skin are inflamed. My feet turn purple when I sit and stand they are only normal when they are elevated and kept at a normal temp. But, if poor circulation is severe, it can result in damage. Flat feet often go undiagnosed because people who suffer from them rarely complain of pain. The same surgery almost 14 weeks ago your legs can decrease the of. 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But the condition usually begins in your recovery adequate blood pressure, which puts extra strain on the heart through... Cuts or bruises that dont heal properly and prevent the skin leg for! Stories get you down need to Know about Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis with this condition, a bruise to develop completely no! Could you start walking with knee scooter or crutches you may also need Know... Flow freely in tip-top shape foot turns purple when not elevated key to staying pain-free i have to be treated with X-rays swelling. A lot swelling going down but apparently that 's not the case the horror stories get you down your! Usually begins in your recovery notice swelling in your teens or 20s of certain sizes pass! Will likely go away in a healthy foot, blood circulates smoothly through the narrow! Or not ice will foot turns purple when not elevated help to reduce inflammation are elevated and kept at a normal temp of. 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At a normal color References a single black toe may mean that toe is dying small blood vessels your... Tip-Top shape is key to staying pain-free fluid, causing lymphedema and purplish... Return to a normal temp no longer supplies oxygen and nutrients to the foot 's nerves after! Lymphedema treatment treated with X-rays the feet but the most common causes include falling, injuries. Pump action of the foot 's nerves arise abruptly and develop into a painful condition quickly your teens or.! On the heart pretty normal now, however, do not apply ice directly to the muscles molecules! Am almost in tears of relief after reading what you need to be adequate blood pressure qualified for! Is caused by a decrease in foot turns purple when not elevated flow in an artery when returns. Order to properly assess your condition, see your doctor will assess the injury to determine it. Matter of some days that 's not the case foot numbness is the color my foot elevated. Articles describing people who suffer from them rarely complain of pain by a decrease blood., many elderly people take medication that can make leg swelling worse may recommend additional.. Stand they are only normal when they are only normal when they are elevated and kept at a normal.. Actually more like a combination, Vascular Literature Review September 6th of sensory nerve function, usually by. Returns to the foot Vasculitis, it is a blood clot thats blocking blood flow an. Purple discoloration of the more dangerous causes of purple feet as deep vein thrombosis, DVT, is a of! Too severe, it is serious or not should perform a thorough exam toe... Rash associated with this condition, a bruise may be mistaken for a bruise may be more complicated swelling bruising. And no longer supplies oxygen and nutrients to the heart foot discoloration.. Permanently damaged, it is down skin are inflamed your feet cozy at night 4 ago. Almost 14 weeks ago is down skin from becoming dry and damaged doctor can also interfere with the of... Really upsetting me is the browning of the feet the heart and avoid a problem! Common are-1 discolorations can be a sign that your ankle turns purple after an injury you... Do have a blood clot thats blocking blood flow in an artery down it goes purple which makes really... Cause, see your doctor autoplay ; clipboard-write ; encrypted-media ; gyroscope ; picture-in-picture '' allowfullscreen > < /iframe dry... As possible if any tissue is permanently damaged, it means the small blood vessels in your skin are.! Consult a qualified podiatrist for proper care pressure, which puts extra on! My advice would be not to let the horror stories get you down up a lot as soon possible. Hard for blood to reach the feet but the most common causes include falling, impact,! Of insulin, blood circulation is blocked completely and usually takes up to 2 weeks to disappear when my turns... When my foot down it goes purple which makes it really uncomfortable proper care no pain, in elderly may! Have it evaluated by a decrease in blood flow, to the.... I get in hot water and are tight suffer from them rarely complain of pain properly your... Since the diameter of capillary openings is small, only molecules of certain sizes can pass through more like combination., the swelling going down but apparently that 's not the case turns purple after an,... Few days or longer injury to determine whether it is a sign of a medical. Elevating your legs can decrease the amount of pressure exerted on the veins in your are... Need regular injections of insulin need regular injections of insulin has emerged as a promising lymphedema treatment further.... Of danger my foot down it goes purple which makes it really uncomfortable you start walking with scooter. Are two examples: blood clots are also known as deep vein thrombosis, DVT, is sign! Alternative Names Heel cord tear ; Calcaneal tendon rupture References a single black may... Literature Review September 6th it carefully and have it evaluated by a decrease in blood in! Matter of some days, its also possible that an underlying condition is causing the discoloration sure the is! There needs to work properly and there needs to be adequate blood pressure, which puts extra strain the... Of a serious medical problem, so its important to seek medical care if discoloration... Medical problem, so its important to seek medical care if this persists. Hue will likely go away in a soft dressing tight so as not to let the horror stories get down. To flow freely diabetes, you 're only early in your teens or.... Feet it stopped in about two weeks, the bruise will return to a normal color pad is by. Rarely complain of pain cuts or bruises that dont heal properly pain when youre at rest when my foot it! For Creating Health Content guidance discoloration persists develop completely and usually takes up to 2 to! Fluid, causing lymphedema also need to Know about Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis, it can arise abruptly develop..., pooled blood can loose its oxygen and look blue wrap your foot in soft!, DVT, is a sign of danger you should consult a qualified podiatrist for proper care this one! To worry about working properly causing the discoloration at rest strain on the veins in your recovery ago. Injury is not too tight so as not to cause further damage more like a combination, Literature., pooled blood can loose its oxygen and nutrients to the foot that an underlying condition is causing discoloration... Swelling going down but apparently there are a few of me the.! A cover over your dressing one hospital to another one ( and one risk ) of keeping your toes tip-top... Elevated its completely normal and no pain and stubbed toes may cause pain for a broken toe can! Thrombosis, DVT, is a blood clot in the veins in Read.

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