#1 ·
I could use some advice from the community.
It’s about my dad.
About a year ago, he had a stroke. Since then, his right leg—specifically the ankle and foot—has been swelling up. He actually recovered pretty well from the stroke itself; he did physical therapy at a rehab center, regained his speech, and has feeling back in his arm, though it's still weak. Thankfully, he's back on his feet, even if that right leg is a bit shaky.
He’s diabetic, recently had surgery on his right carotid artery, and takes a bunch of meds for blood pressure and a few other things I can't quite recall right now.
Even before the stroke, a dog bit him on that same leg. The wound healed fine, but looking back, I thought the leg seemed slightly swollen even then.
After the stroke, that swelling just got worse. It only subsided a few times—once during his rehab stint and once while he was hospitalized for his surgery.
Basically, when he was lying down most of the day and not straining himself, it stayed down.
At home, he likes staying busy with yard work or walking the dog, just nothing too intense.
He saw his primary care doctor, who sent him to a neurologist. The specialist basically told us there’s nothing they can do and claimed it's just a reaction to the stroke—nerve damage and such. They recommended diuretics to get rid of the fluid and an elastic compression bandage.
The problem is, the leg keeps getting thicker. He won't be able to fit into any of his shoes soon. He isn't in pain, but it looks terrible, and I'm honestly terrified that if doctors just ignore this, he might end up losing the leg. I can't help but feel like no one wants to deal with him because he's elderly and has multiple health issues.
Who should we see? Who can I talk to to get him a proper exam? What am I supposed to do? Where can we find actual help?
He’s 71.
It’s about my dad.
About a year ago, he had a stroke. Since then, his right leg—specifically the ankle and foot—has been swelling up. He actually recovered pretty well from the stroke itself; he did physical therapy at a rehab center, regained his speech, and has feeling back in his arm, though it's still weak. Thankfully, he's back on his feet, even if that right leg is a bit shaky.
He’s diabetic, recently had surgery on his right carotid artery, and takes a bunch of meds for blood pressure and a few other things I can't quite recall right now.
Even before the stroke, a dog bit him on that same leg. The wound healed fine, but looking back, I thought the leg seemed slightly swollen even then.
After the stroke, that swelling just got worse. It only subsided a few times—once during his rehab stint and once while he was hospitalized for his surgery.
Basically, when he was lying down most of the day and not straining himself, it stayed down.
At home, he likes staying busy with yard work or walking the dog, just nothing too intense.
He saw his primary care doctor, who sent him to a neurologist. The specialist basically told us there’s nothing they can do and claimed it's just a reaction to the stroke—nerve damage and such. They recommended diuretics to get rid of the fluid and an elastic compression bandage.
The problem is, the leg keeps getting thicker. He won't be able to fit into any of his shoes soon. He isn't in pain, but it looks terrible, and I'm honestly terrified that if doctors just ignore this, he might end up losing the leg. I can't help but feel like no one wants to deal with him because he's elderly and has multiple health issues.
Who should we see? Who can I talk to to get him a proper exam? What am I supposed to do? Where can we find actual help?
He’s 71.