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What Causes Swelling In Ankles With Itching And Inflammation?

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Posted on Sat, 12 Jul 2014
Question: I have swelling in my left ankle, just began today after a walk outside. I also felt itchy and had redness on the left calf where I recently had a varicose vein treatment. There is still some bruising at the vein injection site. I wonder why my one ankle is swollen; very unusual for me.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
can be related to varicose vein treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hello
I have studied your case.
There is probably swelling due to obstruction of venous blood flow due to varicose vein injection therapy.
I will advise to consult your varicose vein doctor for clinical examination and further treatment.
Another possibility of low grade infection probably cellulitis leading to swelling.
Take rest of ankle joint and leg ,limb elevation and warm fomentation may help.
I hope I have answered your questions. If you have further questions please feel free to ask. I will be happy to answer your question. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (7 minutes later)
Okay. The varicose vein treatment was one week ago and ankle swelling just began today. Is it likely that the response would be one week later? Also, what would cause cellulitis? Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes effect of varicose vein treatment can be delay

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Yes effect of varicose vein treatment can be delayed.
Cellulitis will present like swelling, redness, increased local temperature, fever, pain etc
Cellulitis can be due to local or systemic infection. or due to varicose vein treatment.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (21 hours later)
Thank you

I saw my vein doctor; no blood clots and not cellulitis. The doctor thinks I may have had an insect bite; nurse says it can be common to have swelling, bruising, and itchiness in response to a vein treatment. I had bruising, but never swelling, when my other veins were treated. The swelling seems to be decreased a bit now, after elevating my legs.

My question, could a knee problem be a factor? I have been having some pain when bending the left knee and swelling in the left side of the knee of the same leg, for several weeks before this latest vein treatment. I don't think the knee condition had anything to do with this recent ankle swelling, but I do wonder if that is a possibility. I may submit a separate question about my knee. For now, I am working with my doctors to determine the knee condition. My doctor first said it was bursitis, but the physical therapist now referred me to see a sports medicine specialist to see if possibly a meniscal tear. I don't think a meniscal tear would cause ankle swelling.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Explained below

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Knee problem will not lead to ankle swelling.

You may have early knee osteoarthritis which may be associated with degenerative meniscus injury.
X ray and MRI knee will help in diagnosis.

You can wait and watch as swelling is subsiding now for your ankle problem.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 5164 Questions

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What Causes Swelling In Ankles With Itching And Inflammation?

Brief Answer: can be related to varicose vein treatment Detailed Answer: Hello I have studied your case. There is probably swelling due to obstruction of venous blood flow due to varicose vein injection therapy. I will advise to consult your varicose vein doctor for clinical examination and further treatment. Another possibility of low grade infection probably cellulitis leading to swelling. Take rest of ankle joint and leg ,limb elevation and warm fomentation may help. I hope I have answered your questions. If you have further questions please feel free to ask. I will be happy to answer your question. Take care.