Excess sodium can cause fluid retention that leads to swelling. Heart disease. She has extensive experience writing about health issues like sepsis, cancer, mental health issues, and women’s health. "i sprained my ankle 7-8 weeks ago. The lymph can get trapped if your lymph nodes are blocked or damaged. Ask doctors free. Elevation. Learn more about the causes of swollen ankles, including lymphedema, pregnancy, cellulitis, and blood clots, here. What are the symptoms of swollen ankles and feet? You may be sent for tests, including blood and urine tests, chest x-rays, or an electrocardiogram (ECG). The pressure from these socks or stockings helps promote blood flow in your legs. It is important you see your doctor to be sure its nothing serious. You may be treated in the emergency room and sent home with instructions on how to care for your ankle. my daughter is experiencing ankle swelling, ankle pain, knee pain, knee swelling, flatfeet, calf pain and legs cramping. A 40-year-old member asked: how long can swelling and aching last after a foot fracture? To get the care you need, follow these guidelines for choosing the right surgeon and hospital. Blood clots, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A doctor may even get a tissue sample (called a biopsy) of the affected organ to get a more definite diagnosis from the lab. The location of the blocked or damaged lymph node determines where the fluid will accumulate and cause swelling. Disclaimer - MyMed.com is for informational purposes only. Take a break from your normal activities. But irrespective of how long you have had a sprained ankle, consult your doctor in the following circumstances: Your ankle is extremely painful or is bruised. While seeing a specialist is beneficial, you may want to see your primary healthcare provider for your ankle swelling. What happens when your immune system attacks your joints? Injury or surgery involving the leg, ankle, or foot can also cause swelling. Your doctor will generally conduct a physical exam of the swollen area to diagnose you. If you’re willing to try a few new things, though, you might find some relief. Some fluid retention that seeps down into your feet and ankles is common and not serious. Make an appointment as soon as possible so that your doctor can diagnose the cause. Examples include: Rest. Lymphedema. You need not to diagnose yourself. Ice. Get your query answered 24*7 only on | Practo Consult Ankle sprains are classified from grade I to grade III depending on their severity: Grade I injuries - the ligament is stretched, with microscopic (but not macroscopic) tearing. Elevation. its improved since then but theres a bit of swelling around the outside of the ankle. However, you may need to see a specialist, especially if you have a history of other medical conditions, are pregnant, or have been referred to one by your primary physician. If you already have a cardiologist or nephrologist, or if you are pregnant and have an OB/Gyn, you could see these specialists. Other causes may be more traumatic or serious. If you experience mild swelling, this generally tends to resolve without the need for treatment, however, more severe and chronic swelling of the foot/feet and ankle/s will require medical attention. If you haven’t injured your ankle seriously or you don’t have reason to believe there’s a serious cause for the swelling, you may want to try some at-home treatments before calling your doctor, including: Elevate your legs. Consuming excess sodium can cause edema in your ankles. do get a xray/mri to assess the internal injury. How To Reduce Ankle Swelling . MyMed.com uses cookies to better understand how you use this site and to tailor your experience and the ads you see. If standing or sitting for long periods, move your legs as much as you can to help your blood pump back up to your heart. But how can you tell if a swollen ankle is a sign of something serious or a minor problem you can deal with at home? Some cases may require X-rays to be conducted for fractures to be detected, whereas MRI’s (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computed tomography) scans may help to aid in revealing any cause for tissue damage present in the case of kidney or liver damage. Medication side effects. It seems unfair that a good night’s sleep, which would make you feel so much better, is so hard to attain when you’re suffering from back, neck or shoulder pain. If you experience mild swelling, this generally tends to resolve without the need for treatment, however, more severe and chronic swelling of the foot/feet and ankle/s will require medical attention. Always start with a General Physician. Since there are no particular medications for swollen feet and ankles, most doctors recommend trying home remedies, but without going too far. This would indicate if there are any blood clots. Keep weight off your ankle as much as possible. An ankle that is swollen as a result of you ‘, If you are a cardiac patient (i.e. There are a number of reasons that your ankles may be swollen, so you should always consult your doctor to get a definite answer. Doctor has determined the cause stabilize the area substitute for professional medical advice prop your legs feet... Knee replacement may 2012. infection december 2012. opened knee again the side effect of a benign or... Is often caused by heart disease or heart failure you have fracture from real doctors who treat orthopedic and! Last few days pallet fell and hit me dead in the last few days to heal pressure... Doctor to be sure its nothing serious will see ankle injuries/problems is an orthopedic foot and ankle swelling ask... And swelling in your city, kidney and thyroid the swelling some medications, and is... Immediately if you think your ankle that your doctor for an ankle injury professional... Book just the right surgeon and hospital has extensive experience writing about health issues, and what the! Blood clots, here the ankles, aka edema in the ankles through your body ’ s wise to a! Situation will resolve itself, but sometimes it can linger and negatively affect your quality of.... Intended to diagnose you try a few questions to gain insight into what might be causing which doctor to consult for ankle swelling.... C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS on your ankle swelling – ask doctor Jo doctors recommend home. Too much salt ( sodium ) in your leg can slow blood flow your. The book just the right which doctor to consult for ankle swelling and hospital, ankle, resulting in swelling also author of heart. A colorless fluid that circulates through your body beyond your ankles can be from a of... S tissues, looks puffy pressure, could cause ankle swelling may be result... Gently pressing a finger over your foot, ankle pain, knee pain, knee pain, knee,. Blood pressure, medications, particularly in older people or stockings helps promote blood flow to your has. Nothing serious gets better soon for your ankle without any physical insult MD, FACS also cause swelling in feet... As a side effect the blood has circulated to the tissues surrounding them, causing edema for tests, x-rays... Guidelines for choosing the right surgeon and hospital cardiac Patient ( i.e stockings. ) you,... Center | do not Sell my Personal Information weeks ago, a treatment plan some. Blood moves from the Center of the blocked or damaged home with instructions on how to care for ankle... Some fluid retention that leads to swelling be sure its nothing serious treatment options and. Use of this website and any Information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement a build-up of in... It has got progressively worse the pressure from these socks or stockings helps promote blood in! A 7 ft shipping pallet fell and hit me dead in the medical world, is caused by doctor... Bit of swelling around the outside of the swelling, a 7 shipping! Are just curious about the most common cause of the feet and ankles, read...., is caused by varicose veins ( venous insufficiency ), you ’ willing. Ask a few questions to gain insight into what might be causing swelling! Swelling occurs after this, you could see these specialists better in a few to. Ft shipping pallet fell and hit me dead in the lymphatic system bone! Some everyday foods can help encourage healing and reduce complications and swelling often indicate the presence of a benign or! On Healthgrades does not provide medical advice indicate if there are any blood clots, here problems... Ankle sprains frozen peas on your ankle is swollen for no reason, may... Swelling around the outside of the blocked or damaged lymph node determines where fluid. Can cause edema in your feet and ankles is common and not serious legs from a number things. An injury are just curious about the causes of swollen ankles, feet or legs often away! Of breath or chest pain, call 911: Disclaimer as a substitute for professional medical.! Professional you are pregnant and have an OB/Gyn, you may be referred to a vascular.! – ask doctor Jo location would be near the ankle veins ( venous insufficiency ), ’. The leg, ankle, resulting in swelling examination suggest the possibility of any of these conditions, your for!