What Causes Ankles & Feet Swelling | Diagnosis & Treatment

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Chapters

0:00 Introduction
0:45 Causes of Ankles and Feet Swelling
2:32 Symptoms of Ankles and Feet Swelling
3:09 Diagnosis of Ankles and Feet Swelling
3:55 Treatment of Ankles and Feet Swelling



Swollen ankles and swollen feet are conditions characterized by abnormal distention of the ankles and feet.
• The bones of the ankle and foot form the distal region of the lower limb. These bones are responsible for balance, and support of the body’s weight through many activities, such as walking, running, standing, and jumping.
• Swollen ankles and swollen feet are common and usually not a cause for concern, particularly in cases of minor injury.
• However, ankles and feet that stay swollen or are accompanied by other symptoms could be signs of a serious underlying health problem that requires prompt medical attention.

CAUSES
Here are some of the reasons why a person’s ankle and feet may appear swollen:
• Trauma to the ankle or foot. The most common is a sprained ankle
• Pregnancy. This swelling is due to increased pressure on the veins and fluid retention
• Preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication in which high blood pressure and protein develop after the 20th week of pregnancy or immediately after birth.
• Edema
• Alcohol
• Venous insufficiency, a condition in which blood inadequately moves up from the legs and feet up to the heart.
• Infection. People with diabetic neuropathy and other nerve problem of the feet have an increased risk of infection affecting their feet
• Blood clots
• Lymphedema, a condition in which lymphatic fluid gathers in the tissues as a result of problems with the lymph vessels.
• Heart disease or heart failure
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease such as cirrhosis
• Lifestyle factors such as wearing ill-fitting shoes, having a sedentary life, walking or standing for long periods
• Obesity
• Certain medications including antidepressants, steroids, medications to help manage diabetes, birth control pills, calcium-channel blockers that help control blood pressure.
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Bone and tendon conditions
• Hormonal imbalance
Seek immediate medical attention if swollen ankle and feet is accompanied by chest pain, a pressure in the chest, shortness of breath, severe headache, upper abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting or fever

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms depend on the underlying causes and may range from:
• Painless increase in foot and ankles size
• Redness of skin around the swollen area
• Warm skin around the swollen area
• Ulceration with pus drainage
• Achy legs
It is of great importance not to ignore any type of swelling. The European Society of Cardiology in a 2015 report stated that one in five people will develop heart disease, but most don’t know that the first two symptoms of heart failure are swelling, starting at the feet and moving up through the ankles.