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What are swollen ankles and swollen feet?
Swelling of the ankle and feet is a relatively frequent symptom in most people. In itself, it does not represent a disease but rather the symptom of an underlying disease. Swelling symptoms depend on the underlying cause so symptoms may range from a painless increase in foot and ankle diameter (size) to skin changes of color, and texture changes that may be localized to one or both ankles. Other symptoms may include warm skin and ulceration with pus drainage. What are common causes of swollen feet and ankles?
Swollen ankles and swollen feet have numerous causes. Medically, the word "swollen" means protuberant or abnormally distended. Thus, if an ankle or foot is swollen, means it is increased in size. In most common situations, when the word swollen is used about feet and ankles, the user implies the distention or size increase is due to an increase of fluid in the tissues (also termed edema). However, the broad definition includes any factors that increase ankle or foot size (for example increased or excess fluids, increased inflammatory cells, or both). Because the majority of factors that cause foot swelling also may cause ankle swelling, this article will discuss swelling as a general topic to cover both foot and ankle swelling. Some of the few exceptions where only foot or ankle swelling occurs without both being involved will be discussed. Swollen feet and ankles usually are a symptom or sign of some underlying problem, the majority of which are not a major cause for concern. However, in some instances, foot, ankle, and toe swelling may warn a person that an underlying problem needs immediate medical attention. The causes of swollen feet and ankles are numerous; examples of most of the major causes include:
What medical conditions cause symptoms of swollen feet and ankles? Occasionally, specific medical problems will show additional or relatively unique symptoms, for example: Injury or infection of the ankle is usually unilateral but can be bilateral. Injury or infection is often, in the early stages, limited to either the foot or the ankle, but may spread to each other. Swelling due to trauma usually is localized to the injured area (for example, ankle sprain or plantar fasciitis in the foot); in some instances, the swollen skin area may be damaged by abrasion, laceration, or bruising. The pain usually accompanies a traumatic foot or ankle injury. Some infections of the foot or ankle may show localized swelling due to abscess formation (tight smooth skin, warm, and sometimes oozing pus) while other infections (cellulitis) show generalized swelling and warm skin, often with redness of the skin. Pain often is present where the infection is located.
What are risk factors for swollen feet and ankles? A large number of people are at risk for swollen ankles and feet. Below are listed the causes and those people at risk: Other causes are less frequent and intermittent (for example, gout or hairline ankle fractures). What symptoms are associated with swollen feet and ankles? The symptoms of swollen feet and swollen ankles depend on the underlying causes mentioned above. In general, swelling caused by dependent edema, pregnancy, medications, and most diseases produces bilateral swelling (present in both feet or ankles ) and usually begins as a soft, puffy skin enlargement in the feet that spreads rapidly (often within hours) to the ankles. The skin is easily indented when pressed down with a finger and slowly returns to its more puffy state when the finger pressure is removed. Indentations seen in the puffy skin when shoes or socks are removed are classic signs of swelling. The skin color with this swelling is often normal or slightly pale; indentation marks are slightly darker than the surrounding swollen tissue. Many individuals can simply position themselves on their backs and elevate their feet and ankles higher than their hearts, and after some time (often a few hours), the swelling may resolve completely. However, in some chronic diseases and with some medications taken for long periods, the swelling becomes chronic and the skin becomes more rigid, reddish, and sometimes mildly discolored or mottled and will not return to normal after a few hours of elevation. For example, many people with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) will have chronic bilateral swelling of the feet and ankles with skin changes. Health News
How do medical professionals diagnose swollen feet and ankles? Clinical observation and examination are the way swollen feet and ankles are diagnosed. A healthcare professional will likely ask questions about the swelling to obtain specific information and gain insight into the underlying cause of the swelling; once the cause is determined, treatments can be designed to help the patient. Simple observation and a patient's verbal description of the swollen area may be enough to presumptively diagnose the cause. For example: A swollen ankle that the patient "twisted" a day ago is probably due to a sprain A swollen foot that is warm with reddish skin in a person with diabetes, with a small cut on the foot is likely caused by an infection A bilateral foot and ankle swelling in a cardiac patient who did not take the prescribed diuretics is probably caused by a combination of dependent edema, poor fluid management, and decreased cardiac function Laboratory tests are usually not used to diagnose feet and ankle swelling; however, they may need to be ordered in some patients to help diagnose the underlying causes of the swelling. X-rays may be used to determine underlying fractures while CTs or MRIs may reveal the extent of tissue damage. Which specialties of doctors treat foot and ankle swelling? Some mild hand and/or foot swelling can resolve without treatment, while other patients can be treated by their primary care doctors. Depending on the underlying cause of the swelling, such specialists as internal medicine, orthopedics, sports medicine, infectious disease, OB/GYN, and cardiologists are some examples of specialists that may be consulted.
How do you reduce swelling in the feet and ankles? The treatment for swollen feet and ankles depends on the underlying cause(s). For many people, simply raising their feet above their heart or simply getting off their feet regularly during the day will reduce or eliminate the swelling. However, for many other people, treatment of the underlying cause of the swelling may include antibiotics for infections, a splint or wrap for a sprain, and taking appropriate medications for CHF or gout. Emergent and urgent treatment is infrequent for foot or ankle swelling itself but does occur for certain underlying causes where feet and ankle swelling or localized swelling is an important symptom and sometimes the major symptom. Examples include: Anytime the swelling is accompanied by other major symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or fever, a health care professional (emergency department or EMS) should be contacted immediately. What home remedies help soothe symptoms of swollen ankles or feet? One of the best home remedies for swollen ankles, feet, and toes is to elevate the swollen extremity slightly above the level of the heart. This is easily done by having the person lie down face up on a bed or couch and then place pillows under the heels so the feet and ankles are higher than the person's chest. Sitting on a plane seat or on an office chair (or for hours at a time anywhere!) may cause lower extremity swelling. Periodic leg muscle movement by extension and contraction simply by occasionally walking will help. Some physicians also recommend wearing support hoses or compression stockings. Other suggestions are listed in the prevention section below. Subscribe to MedicineNet's Daily Health News Newsletter By clicking Submit, I agree to the MedicineNet's Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy and understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet's subscriptions at any time.
What is the prognosis for swollen feet and swollen ankles? The majority of people with swollen feet and ankles have a good to excellent outcome because the swelling is usually reversible and has no lasting complications. However, a significant number of patients who have underlying causes that are chronic and refractory to treatment have a wider range of prognosis (good to poor) depending on how well the patient responds to both lifestyle changes and medications. What are the complications of swollen ankles and swollen feet? Swollen feet and ankles can lead to discomfort and pain when walking or running is attempted. Is it possible to prevent swollen ankles and swollen feet? In many situations, the swelling in the feet and ankles can be reduced or prevented. The following is a list of ways to reduce or prevent ankle and foot swelling: Because there are so many underlying causes of feet and ankle swelling, there are numerous ways to avoid or reduce the chances of their development. The reader is urged to follow up on this article by reading about ways to prevent underlying causes of swelling. From
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References
American Pregnancy Association. "Swelling During Pregnancy." |
