What You Need to Know about A Swollen Ankle
There are days when your foot seems to swell up, ache badly, and appears a size bigger than it normally is. Wearing socks and shoes becomes a stressful affair as the swelling prevents you from fitting right in. Putting your foot down on the ground also becomes excruciatingly painful, and all you may think about is a hot bath and some bed rest. Foot or ankle swelling is medically called peripheral edema. While adults are most likely to suffer from swollen feet and ankles, this condition may affect children too. A swollen ankle is especially common at the end of a long day when you have either been extremely active or extremely sedentary physically.

Here’s all you need to know about having swollen feet and ankles.

What are the common causes of a swollen ankle?

• A swollen ankle may be the result of one or more of the following causes:
• An injury to the foot from an accident or during some form of physical exertion; for example, while playing sports.
• Wearing tight shoes, tight-fitted leggings and jeans that put too much pressure on the muscles, high heels, and tight socks or stockings for long periods.
• Standing or sitting for long hours at a stretch without moving.
• Consuming a diet that is high in salt.

What are the medical causes of a swollen ankle?

• Being overweight, which leads to decreased blood circulation and a fluid buildup in the ankles and feet.
• The consumption of certain medications such as steroids, antidepressants, certain diabetes medications, contraceptives, anti-inflammatory drugs as well as hormones.
• Pregnancy and severe hormonal fluctuations can also be one of the causes.
• Congestive heart failure may lead to a swelling in the ankles and feet.
• A blood clot formed due to deep vein thrombosis.
• Swollen ankles may indicate impending kidney failure or liver disease.
• Bacterial infection on the feet, such as cellulitis, causes swollen ankles and feet.
• Arthritis and gout, which are known to cause swelling at the joints.

When should you see a doctor?

• Feet and ankle swelling usually go away on their own after sufficient rest. However, if the problem persists, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
• You need to consult a doctor if your ankle swells during an ongoing treatment for heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, or during pregnancy.
• Check with a doctor if you have persistently swollen ankles accompanied by increased body temperature.
• Visit a doctor immediately if the swelling seems to increase despite taking rest and undergoing minimal strain.

How is a swollen ankle diagnosed?

• To diagnose a swollen ankle, a doctor will conduct a physical examination of the affected area to find points of tenderness as well as recommend an X-ray.
• Other tests to diagnose the exact cause of feet and ankle swelling include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a computerized tomography (CT) scan, or an ultrasound.
• In some cases, blood tests may be recommended to check blood cell count as well as examine the health of internal organs such as the kidneys and the liver.
• An electrocardiogram (ECG) may also be done to examine the heart’s functioning.

What is the common course of treatment for a swollen ankle?

• If the swelling of the ankle is due to an injury, an orthopedic surgeon undertakes the treatment.
• Depending on the severity of the condition, the patient either needs to undergo a surgery or a therapy or both, followed by medication that includes painkillers.

What are some common home remedies for treating a swollen ankle?

• Swollen feet and ankles demand sufficient rest for a full recovery.
• An ice pack helps reduce the swelling and provides relief from the discomfort and pain that accompanies it.
• Sleeping with a swollen foot at an elevated position helps drain excess fluid, thereby improving blood circulation.
• Reduce your intake of salt. Experts recommend that an average adult should consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of salt per day.