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What Does A Bruised And Swollen Ankle Indicate Despite Applying Ice And Elevation?

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Posted on Tue, 24 Oct 2017
Question: I hit my boney part of my left leg last week on the bath tub. was very swollen and I applied ice and elevated for 45 minutes. swelling went down... I was traveling all day and it is bruised but now my ankle is bruised and swollen. Looks like the injury move to my ankle too?

Ok... I haven't received an answer yet and I have two invoices for the same amount. Have I been charged twice? Please follow up with me ASAP or I will cancel. With all the fraud going on I will cancel my Credit card ASAP. I no response ASAP
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. Fink,

There are two main possibilities for what might be going on based on your description.

When a person has swelling and bruising, the interstitial fluid (from the swelling) and the blood in the tissues (from the bruising) can seep down to the most dependent part of the body by gravity. In the leg, that can be the ankle. This would not be cause for concern. While the bruised appearance may continue in the ankle until your body clears it up, the swelling should decrease if you elevate it.

The other possibility, which is concerning, is that there could be a DVT (deep vein thrombosis). This happens most commonly in the lower leg, and there will be swelling below the level of the clot, because the vein is blocked, preventing or decreasing return of blood to the heart. This causes increased pressure in the vein below the clot and so fluid seeps into the tissues causing swelling of the leg below the clot. A DVT is of concern because a clot can break off from the main clot in the leg and go places in the body that are potentially dangerous for it to block.

So, given that I can't tell what is going on without seeing your leg, I recommend you go to an ER where they can evaluate and if warranted, do imaging studies to rule out a DVT.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know how you are doing after you have been evaluated.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (3 hours later)
Thanks for your answer ... I have elevated for a couple of hours and swelling has already gone down on my ankle. I will see how I feel in the morning and make a decision about goimg to doctor. I walked yesterday to get my steps may have over done. Thanks agin
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (19 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
I hope the swelling is gone today. Let me know if there is anything further I can help with.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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What Does A Bruised And Swollen Ankle Indicate Despite Applying Ice And Elevation?

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hello Ms. Fink, There are two main possibilities for what might be going on based on your description. When a person has swelling and bruising, the interstitial fluid (from the swelling) and the blood in the tissues (from the bruising) can seep down to the most dependent part of the body by gravity. In the leg, that can be the ankle. This would not be cause for concern. While the bruised appearance may continue in the ankle until your body clears it up, the swelling should decrease if you elevate it. The other possibility, which is concerning, is that there could be a DVT (deep vein thrombosis). This happens most commonly in the lower leg, and there will be swelling below the level of the clot, because the vein is blocked, preventing or decreasing return of blood to the heart. This causes increased pressure in the vein below the clot and so fluid seeps into the tissues causing swelling of the leg below the clot. A DVT is of concern because a clot can break off from the main clot in the leg and go places in the body that are potentially dangerous for it to block. So, given that I can't tell what is going on without seeing your leg, I recommend you go to an ER where they can evaluate and if warranted, do imaging studies to rule out a DVT. I hope this information helps. Please let me know how you are doing after you have been evaluated.