![]() ![]() ![]() “If you have swelling on one side that continues to rise up your leg, you need to get it checked out,” Dr. One of the most alarming causes of swelling around the ankle (which often spreads further up the leg) is a blood clot, says Daniel Paull, M.D., founder and CEO of Easy Orthopedics. Weinfeld says, adding that inflammation related to arthritis causes the joint to swell. “When I get an X-ray back and see that someone has bad ankle arthritis, it can certainly explain any swelling in the area,” Dr. Incredibly common among older adults, it can affect joints all over the body, including the ankles. Signs of lymphedema also include a heavy or tight feeling in the arms or legs, not being able to move properly, recurring infections, hardening or thickening of the skin, and trouble sleeping.or you could be dealing with arthritis.Īrthritis, which includes a number of specific diseases, refers to a condition in which joints become swollen, painful, stiff, and difficult to move. Adams notes cancer or a tumor can make it difficult for fluid to pump properly, causing lymphatic obstruction. Though certain cancers (and cancer treatments) can cause lymphedema, infections can also spur swelling. In lymphedema, though, a damaged or blocked lymphatic system leaves fluid to pool in the extremities, The U.S. Our lymphatic system transports fluid called lymph (which contains white blood cells and waste products) throughout the body. Much more common in people over 50, venous insufficiency slowly develops over time and is more common in women than men. This happens when these valves become damaged or weak-say, due to aging or extended sitting. “Veins have one-way valves that can basically stretch out over time and allow fluid to leak out,” he explains. Venous insufficiency, a state in which your veins don’t function normally, can impact the circulation of blood back toward your heart and leave it pooling in your feet and ankles, says Dr. It may be a sign that your veins aren’t working effectively. “Some blood pressure medications, anti-inflammatory steroids, and even NSAIDs like Advil may have that effect.” Hormones like estrogen and some antidepressants can also leave you with balloon ankles. “Certain medications can cause fluid retention,” explains Dr. Certain medications can trigger swelling.īecause of their complex interactions with the body, a number of medicines (including OTCs) can contribute to swollen ankles. In the case of injury, swelling may also be accompanied by redness or bruising. Additionally, damage to blood vessels or trauma can cause swelling, she notes. Adams adds that a calf injury could also be to blame for ankle swelling because the fluid will pool at the base of the calf, causing inflammation and increased fluid. ![]() “Not only does this bring healing cells, but also contributes to swelling in order to stiffen and immobilize the injured joint,” he says.ĭr. When you hurt your ankle, your body sends extra blood to the area, explains Dr. Whether you walked into the coffee table or sprained your ankle running, injury is perhaps the most common cause of swollen ankles doctors see. Plus, storage of excess hormones in extra fat cells can contribute to hormonal shifts that also trigger fluid retention, he says. First, the stress extra weight puts on joints can trigger fluid retention around those joints. Overweight and obese people may experience swelling around the ankles for two reasons, says Dr. Without that extra help from moving muscles, though, blood and fluid can pool in the feet and ankles. “When you move around, the muscles involved in that movement actually help pump fluid and blood to and from your limbs,” explains Steven Weinfeld, M.D., chief of foot and ankle surgery at New York City’s Mount Sinai Health System. If you work a job that involves standing or sitting in one place for long periods of time, you’ve probably experienced some swelling in your ankles as a result. There can be some serious health effects around sitting for too long. Reasons you have swollen ankles You’ve been sitting (or standing) all day. Plus, it’s extra common in ankles, feet, and legs because of gravity pulling fluid down. This backup of fluid can leak into the tissue, causing puffy swelling. Though reasons vary as the what causes your ankles to swell, the symptom of edema happens when there is increased fluid and it builds up in spaces between tissues and organs, explains Gillian Adams, M.D., a family practitioner and medical director of MedStar Alexandria. And though the causes of ankle swelling can range from not-so-concerning to life-threatening, we had experts break down why your ankles have swollen up like balloons. When left untreated, your swollen ankles can become painful, making it difficult to walk, causing stiff joints, and stretching out the skin. Known in the medical world as edema, swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs can be incredibly annoying and alarming. ![]()
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