What condition is suggested by chronic unilateral lower extremity swelling, aching, and a sense of heaviness?

The condition suggested by chronic unilateral lower extremity swelling, aching, and a sense of heaviness is postphlebitic syndrome. This syndrome typically occurs following deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and is characterized by long-term complications as a result of the DVT. The damaged veins may struggle to facilitate proper blood return from the lower extremity, leading to pooling of blood and subsequent symptoms.

Patients commonly experience swelling in the affected leg, aching or pain, and a feeling of heaviness, which aligns with the symptoms described in the question. The persistent effects of venous insufficiency that result from venous valve damage can also cause skin changes and potential ulcerations, reinforcing the diagnosis.

In contrast, conditions such as cardiac/systemic issues typically produce bilateral symptoms rather than unilateral. Lipidemia primarily relates to an abnormal accumulation of fat in the body and does not specifically account for the symptoms presented. Primary varicose veins, while they can cause leg symptoms, usually result in a more diffuse pain and swelling rather than the extreme symptoms following venous thrombosis seen in postphlebitic syndrome.