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What Causes Swelling In Feet And Ankles?

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Posted on Sat, 28 Nov 2015
Question: I have pain in my feet. the area is around the ankle and there is swelling in the ankle. when pressed there is an indentation which might be fluid. its only on the inside of the ankle. this started in my left foot now the right foot is starting to hurt. it hurts to walk or apply pressure like when standing or walking . I can feel the soreness when I move my hands up from the ankle to see if maybe its nerve or muscle soreness
doctor
Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Ankle edema

Detailed Answer:
Hi thanks for your question,

your symptoms are consistent with ankle edema

Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, especially among older people.
Abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs can cause swelling. This fluid buildup and swelling is called edema.

Painless swelling may affect both legs and may include the calves or even the thighs. The effect of gravity makes the swelling most noticeable in the lower part of the body.

Foot, leg, and ankle swelling is common when the person also:
•Is overweight
•Has a blood clot in the leg
•Is older
•Has a leg infection
•Has veins in the legs that cannot properly pump blood back to the heart

Injury or surgery involving the leg, ankle, or foot can also cause swelling. Swelling may also occur after pelvic surgery, especially for cancer.

Long airplane flights or car rides, as well as standing for long periods of time, often lead to some swelling in the feet and ankles.

Swelling may occur in women who take estrogen, or during parts of the menstrual cycle. Most women have some swelling during pregnancy. More severe swelling during pregnancy may be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition that includes high blood pressure and swelling.

Swollen legs may be a sign of heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure. In these conditions, there is too much fluid in the body.

Certain medicines may also cause your legs to swell. Some of these are:
•Antidepressants, including MAO inhibitors and tricyclics
•Blood pressure medicines called calcium channel blockers
•Hormones, such as estrogen (in birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy) and testosterone
•Steroids

Some tips that may help reduce swelling:
•Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down.
•Exercise your legs. This helps pump fluid from your legs back to your heart.
•Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling.
•Wear support stockings (sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores).
•When traveling, take breaks often to stand up and move around.
•Avoid wearing tight clothing or garters around your thighs.
•Lose weight if you need to.

Never stop taking any medicines you think may be causing swelling without first talking to your health care provider.

When to Contact a Dr or Call 911 if:
•You feel short of breath.
•You have chest pain, especially if it feels like pressure or tightness.
•You have heart disease or kidney disease and the swelling gets worse.
•You have a history of liver disease and now have swelling in your legs or abdomen.
•Your swollen foot or leg is red or warm to the touch.
•You have a fever.
•You are pregnant and have more than just mild swelling or have a sudden increase in swelling.

Also call your Dr if self-care measures do not help or swelling gets worse.

Your Dr will take a medical history and do a thorough physical examination, paying special attention to your heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, legs, and feet.
Your Dr will ask questions like the following:
•What body parts swell? Your ankles, feet, legs? Above the knee or below?
•Do you have swelling at all times or is it worse in the morning or evening?
•What makes your swelling better?
•What makes your swelling worse?
•Does the swelling get better when you raise your legs?
•Have you had blood clots in your legs or lungs?
•Have you had varicose veins?
•What other symptoms do you have?
Diagnostic tests that may be done include:
•Blood tests such as a CBC or blood chemistry
•Chest x-ray or extremity x-ray
•Doppler ultrasound examination of your leg veins
•ECG
•Urinalysis

Your treatment will focus on the cause of the swelling. Your Dr may prescribe diuretics to reduce the swelling, but these can have side effects. Home treatment for leg swelling that is not related to a serious medical condition should be tried before drug therapy.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Karl Logan (2 hours later)
I didn't mention the shooting and throbbing pain on the instep. the pain is mostly in the ankle nd on the bottom of my foot.. at times I cant bend the foot when walking. the pain will also return upon sitting for long periods. my ankle does swell from fluid but only during the summer this is different because the swelling is only on the ankle bone
doctor
Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Plantar fasciitis

Detailed Answer:
hi thanks for your follow up question.

one of the commonest reasons for pain in this location is plantar fasciitis.

this condition is called by degenerative changes at the insertion of the plantar fascia at the heel bone.

physiotherapy for stretching can be beneficial, the physio can add modalities such as ultrasound to the area. rolling your foot over a cold bottle of water regularly to stretch this area. antiinflammatories can also be of benefit. steroid shots into this area can help and rarely a plantar fascia surgical release. buying a soft contoured insole for your shoes may also be of benefit.

I hope this answers your question.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Karl Logan

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 705 Questions

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What Causes Swelling In Feet And Ankles?

Brief Answer: Ankle edema Detailed Answer: Hi thanks for your question, your symptoms are consistent with ankle edema Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, especially among older people. Abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs can cause swelling. This fluid buildup and swelling is called edema. Painless swelling may affect both legs and may include the calves or even the thighs. The effect of gravity makes the swelling most noticeable in the lower part of the body. Foot, leg, and ankle swelling is common when the person also: •Is overweight •Has a blood clot in the leg •Is older •Has a leg infection •Has veins in the legs that cannot properly pump blood back to the heart Injury or surgery involving the leg, ankle, or foot can also cause swelling. Swelling may also occur after pelvic surgery, especially for cancer. Long airplane flights or car rides, as well as standing for long periods of time, often lead to some swelling in the feet and ankles. Swelling may occur in women who take estrogen, or during parts of the menstrual cycle. Most women have some swelling during pregnancy. More severe swelling during pregnancy may be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition that includes high blood pressure and swelling. Swollen legs may be a sign of heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure. In these conditions, there is too much fluid in the body. Certain medicines may also cause your legs to swell. Some of these are: •Antidepressants, including MAO inhibitors and tricyclics •Blood pressure medicines called calcium channel blockers •Hormones, such as estrogen (in birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy) and testosterone •Steroids Some tips that may help reduce swelling: •Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down. •Exercise your legs. This helps pump fluid from your legs back to your heart. •Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling. •Wear support stockings (sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores). •When traveling, take breaks often to stand up and move around. •Avoid wearing tight clothing or garters around your thighs. •Lose weight if you need to. Never stop taking any medicines you think may be causing swelling without first talking to your health care provider. When to Contact a Dr or Call 911 if: •You feel short of breath. •You have chest pain, especially if it feels like pressure or tightness. •You have heart disease or kidney disease and the swelling gets worse. •You have a history of liver disease and now have swelling in your legs or abdomen. •Your swollen foot or leg is red or warm to the touch. •You have a fever. •You are pregnant and have more than just mild swelling or have a sudden increase in swelling. Also call your Dr if self-care measures do not help or swelling gets worse. Your Dr will take a medical history and do a thorough physical examination, paying special attention to your heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, legs, and feet. Your Dr will ask questions like the following: •What body parts swell? Your ankles, feet, legs? Above the knee or below? •Do you have swelling at all times or is it worse in the morning or evening? •What makes your swelling better? •What makes your swelling worse? •Does the swelling get better when you raise your legs? •Have you had blood clots in your legs or lungs? •Have you had varicose veins? •What other symptoms do you have? Diagnostic tests that may be done include: •Blood tests such as a CBC or blood chemistry •Chest x-ray or extremity x-ray •Doppler ultrasound examination of your leg veins •ECG •Urinalysis Your treatment will focus on the cause of the swelling. Your Dr may prescribe diuretics to reduce the swelling, but these can have side effects. Home treatment for leg swelling that is not related to a serious medical condition should be tried before drug therapy.