Femoral aneurysms can cause swelling and a throbbing sensation in the leg, and can lead to internal bleeding if the artery ruptures. Diagnosis is usually achieved through an ultrasound, and treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Surgery is usually successful but carries risks.
A femoral aneurysm occurs when an artery in the upper leg begins to swell and becomes susceptible to rupture. If a femoral aneurysm causes a complete rupture of the artery, it can cause a great deal of internal bleeding, although this only happens in the worst cases. Although symptoms of an aneurysm in this artery are rarely apparent, they can be identified by a physical exam. Some of the rare symptoms of a femoral aneurysm include swelling and a throbbing sensation in the leg.
In most cases, a femoral aneurysm is a relatively mild condition and not an immediate cause for concern. In fact, most examples of this condition have no obvious symptoms, and patients may never discover the problem until a routine exam is done. More severe cases, however, require immediate treatment to prevent further problems from developing.
Femoral aneurysms tend to occur in the elderly population, although they can occur at any age. Men are also more likely to suffer from the problem than women. In many cases, the problem can occur in both legs rather than one at a time. It is not yet known why the condition occurs.
If a doctor thinks a femoral aneurysm may be present, the first step is a proper diagnosis. This is usually achieved through an ultrasound. Not only will this help confirm the presence of an aneurysm, but it also provides a guideline for size and can help show if a clot is present.
Whether or not surgery is needed to repair a femoral aneurysm depends on the exact condition and varies from patient to patient. In many cases, a doctor will prefer to keep an eye on the problem to see how it develops rather than asking for surgery right away. However, a number of factors need to be taken into consideration, including how big the aneurysm is, whether there is a blood clot, and what condition the person is in to cope with an operation.
If surgery is needed, it is usually successful and doesn’t cause many long-term side effects. There are, however, risks to any surgery. A prosthetic artery is usually placed in the area that suffered from the aneurysm.
In the worst cases, a femoral aneurysm can cause an artery to rupture. This is a serious problem and can have long lasting effects. Sometimes a complete rupture may require amputation of the foot or lower leg.
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