The chances are if you have a torn meniscus then this could be the reason that your leg and foot are swelling up. The best care for swollen feet is to elevate your legs above your heart while lying down, gentle exercise will help pump fluid from your leg back to your heart, wear support stockings and avoid salty foods as they increase fluid retention and swelling. If your swelling does not improve, or if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, a fever, history of liver disease and if the foot becomes red and warm to touch you must contact your GP or the hospital immediately. However, it may have nothing to do with your torn meniscus. Foot, leg and ankle swelling are common for a variety of reasons such as being overweight, standing for a long period of time, long flights, long car journeys, pregnancy and injury to the ankle or foot. Particular swelling of the leg could indicate a blood clot, infection, varicose veins, insect bit or sting and blockage of the lymph nodes in the leg. There are also certain medications which may cause the legs to swell such as hormone tablets like oestrogen and testosterone, blood pressure medicines, steroids and antidepressants. If you are taking any of those it’s best to check the possible side effects. To prevent swollen legs it is wise to avoid sitting or standing without moving for prolonged periods of time. On long-haul flights, you must try and stretch your legs as often as possible, by either circling the feet or getting up and walking up and down the aircraft. If you are driving for a long distance try and stop to stretch every hour or so. Avoid wearing restrictive clothing around your thighs and of course exercise regularly.
