Medical Questions » Legs Questions » Question No. 562
| Question: | My doctor has told me that I have Miiroy' s disease of the leg. Could you please explain this to me? |
| Answer: | Miiroy' s disease is a rare condition in which the lymphatic system in one or both legs is faulty, and fails to remove the waste products from the leg. As a result, the leg becomes swollen, puffy and uncomfortable. The condition is hereditary (tends to pass from one generation to the next), and usually starts at puberty (12 to 14 years of age). It is far more common in women than men.
The lymphatic system is an incredibly fine network of tubes that parallel the veins throughout the body, and take some forms of waste from every cell back into the bloodstream. The lymphatic system eventually drains into a main vein near the heart.
The only treatment is elevation of the leg as much as possible, and wearing a firm elastic stocking. The main complication is infections of the swollen tissue, which must be treated with antibiotics. Some patients require constant antibiotics to prevent these infections.
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