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Swelling of the foot and ankle of one leg

30 Aug 18

Legs are swollen around the ankles - what to do?

Basically, such a problem as swelling of the legs in the ankle area worries women. After all, as a result, the appearance of their legs deteriorates and it becomes impossible to wear a dress or skirt. Problems arise with the choice of shoes. Tight boots or ankle boots may simply not fasten or put too much pressure on your feet, which often leads to numbness. In general, any swelling is an accumulation of excess fluid in a particular area. Most often they appear in the area of ​​the feet and ankles. There are many ways to deal with this problem.

What could be the causes of ankle swelling?

The main cause of swelling in the ankle area is mainly a variety of diseases or disruption of certain processes in the body. They can be very dangerous. For example, cardiac congestive failure. That is why you should always pay attention to such a problem, because it can tell a person about serious disorders and diseases of his body. Including liver or kidney failure, as well as lung diseases.

If you do not pay attention to the signs of your body, then in the future the disease may manifest itself more actively and seriously and lead a person to numerous health problems.

Another common cause of such swelling is any previous leg infections, thyroid problems, blood clots, chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins.

And less dangerous causes are the bites of certain insects, burns of the skin on the legs and even malnutrition. Sometimes the ankles become swollen after taking any medicine. This is how the body’s individual reaction to taking a new drug is expressed.

The accumulation of excess fluid can also be caused by staying in one position for a long time, especially on hot days. And, of course, swelling very often worries expectant mothers.

It is worth noting that it is quite difficult to independently determine the cause of such an unpleasant phenomenon. To do this, you need to conduct a number of different examinations. A person is usually prescribed a cardiogram, x-ray, examination of the kidneys and liver, and also donation of blood and urine for analysis.

Arthritis, or subluxation of the joint with further development of arthrosis

If the doctor has determined one of these causes of ankle swelling, then the patient needs urgent treatment. As a rule, with arthritis, other joints besides the ankle become inflamed. It not only swells, but also hurts, especially at night, closer to the morning. But in the daytime, painful sensations are noticeable only when walking and are much less pronounced.

If proper, competent treatment is not started in time, the consequences for the patient can be very disastrous.

Sometimes swelling in this area occurs after intense sports training, especially after running. Most often this occurs as a result of wearing ill-fitting, uncomfortable shoes. This is why it is very important to carefully choose sneakers for physical activities. Modern sports stores offer their customers special running sneakers. True, many people ignore such suggestions, believing that any sneakers are suitable for this purpose.

In fact, sports shoes should be created taking into account all the characteristics of the human body so that the load on it is optimally distributed.

In addition, physical activity should be individually selected for each person. Don't overload yourself and run around the stadium until your last breath. Everything needs moderation.

Sometimes after being bitten by an insect, noticeable swelling occurs in the ankle area. First you need to try to remove it with ice. To do this, ice is wrapped in thick cloth and then applied to the bite site. The same area can also be wiped with any alcohol tincture. Alcohol not only disinfects, but is also able to stop bleeding and numb the affected area.

At the moment of the bite, the insect's venom is injected into the skin, after which swelling occurs and redness appears. In order not to intensify this, the wounds should not be touched, much less scratched. This will increase their healing period several times. Warm water with baking soda, which can be used to wipe the bite area, will help get rid of the itching.

Swelling after an insect bite in the ankle area can persist for a very long time, up to 2-3 weeks, which sometimes leads to problems with blood vessels as a result of poor circulation. Therefore, you should not leave the problem to chance.

Ankle sprain

With such a stretch, swelling appears very quickly, as hemorrhage occurs. A person feels a sharp pain in this area, it is especially noticeable if you try to turn the foot inward. Only an experienced specialist can help the patient in this case. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate for sprains.

And, of course, swelling may indicate a fracture of one or another bone. As a result of an ankle fracture, it can instantly become very swollen. Only a doctor can decide whether it is a fracture or just a severe sprain. This may require taking a photo and undergoing some other examinations.

Folk remedies to reduce swelling

If there are no serious reasons for edema, then you can simply try to reduce the amount of water you drink daily and also consume less salt. It is best to completely eliminate alcohol from your diet during treatment.

You can, for example, freeze chamomile decoction in cubes and then wipe the swelling areas with them. And also always give your legs a rest at the end of the day by placing them on a slight elevation.

Special salt baths, the temperature of which does not exceed 35 degrees, as well as alternating hot and cold showers can also help cope with swelling.

If you always take care of your health and wear only comfortable, high-quality shoes, then such problems will never bother you.

What is the cause of swelling in one leg?

What is the cause of swelling in one leg? This question worries patients. Quite often the cause of leg swelling is ordinary fatigue. This affects adults who spend a lot of time on their feet (for example, salespeople, hairdressers, teachers). The limbs become victims of swelling only in the evening, when all the fatigue of the day accumulates. Fortunately, the symptoms quickly disappear if you move from a vertical position to a horizontal one.

In other cases, when only one leg, foot, or entire limb swells, you should pay special attention to your health. The cause of swelling may be hidden deep inside, but it must be discovered. The main factors causing heaviness in the ankle, ankle, and foot include:

  • thrombosis that has penetrated deep into the veins of the leg or knee (very dangerous for health, as it can cause death);
  • chronic venous insufficiency;
  • injuries;
  • lymph stagnation (cancer symptoms);
  • rupture under the knee of the Baker bone (signals about joint diseases).
  • In the case where swelling of the right foot is observed, it is necessary to urgently go to the hospital to undergo a full diagnosis regarding the presence or absence of varicose veins.

    If only the right or left leg is swollen, then the reason for this may be hidden in the following:

  • 1. The person drank a lot of liquid, especially at night.
  • 2. The leg has become a victim of heavy physical activity.
  • 3. Severe flat feet are observed.
  • 4. It is possible that a hormonal imbalance or strong metabolism has occurred.
  • 5. A person was in a sitting position for a long time, in which one leg suffered greatly due to an uncomfortable position.
  • 6. Excess weight is reflected on the ankles or on one of them, which is excess ballast.
  • 7. Constantly wearing uncomfortable shoes. Quite often, the cause of swelling of one leg or foot lies precisely in high heels, flat soles, and narrow shoes.
  • Checking for swelling. If your left or right leg is subject to constant swelling, it is better to check to see if it gets worse. You can carry out this check yourself at home:

  • 1. Press firmly from the inside of the shin or ankle, just under the bone. If a dent remains on the leg when released, this indicates the appearance of edema.
  • 2. In the morning it is difficult or almost impossible to put on shoes, and socks leave marks on the skin.
  • 3. Water does not pass through the lymph or veins, which indicates the development of varicose veins.
  • 4. Swelling of the legs can result from heart failure. This occurs because the heart is weak in pumping blood out of the lower extremities. As a result, enzymes appear from the kidneys that can retain salt, drawing fluid from the tissues. At the same time, this type of edema is easier to detect than usual. They are bilateral, and tendons and blood vessels are not visible on the legs.
  • 5. Imbalance of the lymphatic system, resulting in elephant foot. Blood clot formation, i.e. blood clot, which many regard as tiredness and fatigue from physical activity.
  • 6. In this case, as in the previous one, water cannot pass through the tissue normally. Therefore, arthritis occurs and develops, affecting the knees and ankles. Patients have difficulty walking, which causes reactions in the body. Even moving around the apartment or bending a leg becomes a painful and lengthy process. Arthritis requires the intervention of doctors so that they can diagnose and choose the most appropriate therapy.
  • Ankle swelling, causes and treatment.

    The most common condition is ankle swelling. This disease is typical not only for older people, but also for young people. Mostly women suffer from it.

    Swelling in the ankle is not only a serious cosmetic problem. It often limits a person's activity. By evening, the swelling only increases, severe pain and loss of sensitivity of the affected area may appear.

    There are also problems with choosing clothes. Tight shoes can put pressure on the affected area, which leads to numbness, that is, complete or partial loss of sensation. All of the above says one thing - if swelling of the ankle of the right leg, left leg or both legs appears, you should immediately contact a specialist.

    Edema occurs primarily due to untimely removal of excess fluid from the body. The problem is that this liquid may contain substances harmful to the body that negatively affect the functioning of internal organs.

    There are two types of swelling in this area:

    They differ from each other in their causes and severity.

    Unilateral swelling occurs only on one leg. There are many reasons for their occurrence. Let's take a closer look at them.

    A fairly common cause of unilateral edema is leg injury. These could be sprains, fractures, ligamentous ruptures, etc.

    Almost any serious injury causes local blood vessels to be damaged. In this case, the legs in the foot swell greatly due to the outpouring of blood. This may be accompanied by the appearance of a hematoma, change in skin color, etc.

    Thrombosis is a common blood vessel disease. With this disease, the lumen of blood vessels significantly narrows, blood circulation slows down due to the formation of blood clots.

    Why do the feet and ankles swell in this case? There is not enough oxygen reaching the affected area. The patient experiences severe pain.

    Infectious processes

    Infectious processes often lead to swelling of certain areas of the body. Local temperature rises and pain appears.

    Such infectious processes include abscess, phlegmon, etc. You should immediately consult a doctor, as the infection can lead to blood poisoning.

    Inflammatory processes

    Arthritis or arthrosis is almost always accompanied by inflammatory processes. Excessive stress on the joints worsens the situation. This leads to swelling.

    Insect bites may be accompanied by similar body responses. This occurs due to the ingress of poison. Such reactions can lead to allergic reactions. Some bites are fatal.

    Phlebeurysm

    Varicose veins lead to stagnation in them. The activity of the valve apparatus is disrupted.

    Blood through the walls of blood vessels can permeate the surrounding tissues. This leads to swelling of individual areas.

    Bilateral edema is, accordingly, a change in the size of the ankles on both legs. Let's consider the main reasons for such changes.

    Staying in a forced position for a long time

    People who stand for a long time often have problems with their legs. This is due to the partial or complete absence of venous and lymphatic drainage from the lower extremities during a long stay in a forced position.

    Wearing tight shoes

    It is very important to choose comfortable and loose shoes. This is especially true for sports.

    During physical activity, to ensure normal outflow from the limbs, it is necessary to wear special sports shoes. It also allows you to remove excessive load from the feet and redistribute it throughout the musculoskeletal system.

    Extra pounds inevitably lead to negative changes in the body. The feet are under excessive stress.

    Blood circulation and outflow from the lower extremities are disrupted. All these factors lead to swelling.

    During pregnancy, the uterus greatly increases in size. This is especially noticeable in the early stages. Such changes cannot but affect the condition of other organs and systems of the body.

    The inferior vena cava, which is responsible for supplying blood to the extremities, is compressed. This leads to poor circulation and, consequently, swelling.

    Quite often, such changes cause disturbances in the water-salt balance in the body. This may occur due to serious problems with the kidneys.

    Excess fluid simply does not have time to be eliminated from the body in time; it begins to accumulate in the tissues.

    Taking hormonal medications

    Hormonal drugs inevitably lead to changes in many processes in the body. A side effect of taking them may be swelling of the limbs.

    First steps for swelling

    If your lower extremities are severely swollen, the first thing to do is contact a specialist. He will accurately determine the causes of such changes and prescribe a set of procedures that will help get rid of them.

    But what to do if it’s a few days before you see a specialist, but your condition has worsened greatly? Here are some tips that will help slightly reduce swelling before visiting a doctor:

  • Before going to bed, take a position so that your leg is slightly elevated. You can place it on a high pillow or a special cushion.
  • Reduce the amount of liquid you drink during the day. One and a half liters of water is the volume that will help maintain all metabolic processes in the body. It is better to avoid other drinks.
  • Reduce the amount of salt you eat or completely eliminate it from your diet. At first, it will be unusual to adhere to such a diet. But after some time, all foods will seem much tastier to the body.
  • Take a contrast shower 1-2 times a day.
  • Choose comfortable and loose shoes that will not put pressure on your foot and ankle.
  • Massage the affected area several times a day. You need to massage your feet with light circular movements, without much effort.
  • If you are overweight, you need to seriously think about losing weight. Start with proper nutrition, then you can add simple exercises, gradually increasing the load on the body.
  • These rules will not completely rid you of the problem if you have serious illnesses, but they will become an excellent basis for treatment and improve your condition.

    With this disease, the importance of diagnosis is quite difficult to overestimate. There are many causes of swelling, they all differ from each other and are associated with various disorders of internal organs and systems.

    Causes and treatment are closely related. Based on the diagnostic results, effective therapy for the body will be prescribed.

    Diagnostics is carried out in several stages. Let's take a closer look at them.

    Diagnosis of any disease begins with an initial examination by a doctor. At this stage, a preliminary diagnosis can be made, which is later confirmed by more accurate research methods.

    The doctor must study the patient’s chart, find out about all complaints and existing symptoms.

    Next, the specialist can use the following procedures to determine the patient’s condition:

  • Measuring body temperature and swollen area.
  • Palpation.
  • Measuring blood pressure levels in the body, etc.

After this, the doctor prescribes further research methods depending on the results obtained at this stage.

Instrumental research methods

Instrumental research methods are very effective in obtaining accurate results about the patient's condition.

The following procedures may be used for this problem:

  • Blood chemistry.
  • General urine analysis.
  • Ultrasound.
  • Hormonal profile.
  • Hemostasiogram.
  • After receiving the results of the study, treatment is prescribed.

    Treatment of swelling is to get rid of the causes of its occurrence. There are many treatment methods. They differ in their effectiveness at different stages of the development of the problem.

    Taking medications

    Quite often, doctors prescribe medications. For edema it is recommended:

  • Medicines for oral administration.
  • Medicines for external use.
  • The first type of medications that are prescribed for swelling are diuretics. They are able to locally remove excess water from the body.

    For ischemic vascular diseases, medications are prescribed that reduce cholesterol levels in the body and prevent the formation of new blood clots.

    In this case, medications for external use include various gels and ointments. Their main functions are the following:

  • Strengthening the walls of blood vessels.
  • Fight inflammation.
  • Local improvement of blood circulation and cooling.
  • Relieving pain.
  • Effective and affordable means of this category are:

    Physiotherapy procedures include physical therapy and treatment with special innovative devices.

    Physiotherapy exercises should be prescribed by a specialist taking into account the patient’s health condition. It can be aimed at losing weight, strengthening joints and ligaments, increasing vascular tone, etc.

    Only regular implementation of physical therapy complexes will help achieve excellent results. In addition to exercise, you can add regular walks (walking, cycling), yoga or Pilates.

    Physiotherapy includes the following procedures:

    • Electrophoresis.
    • Phonophoresis.
    • Ultraviolet irradiation.
    • Magnetic therapy.
    • Electrical stimulation of affected structures in the body, etc.
    • Therapeutic massages will help relieve stress from the legs, restore normal blood circulation, and improve the condition of tissues. To get rid of puffiness, it is better to use classic massages or hydromassages.

      Only qualified personnel should perform such procedures. Otherwise, any impact on the affected areas will lead to a deterioration in the condition of the tissues in the body.

      The main functions of massage for the health of the body are the following:

    • Improving blood circulation in the swelling area.
    • Normalization of outflow from the lower extremities in the body.
    • Relieving pain, etc.
    • Use of traditional medicine

      Traditional medicine is a specific type of treatment for the body. Not all professionals approve of this therapy. It can significantly worsen the patient's condition.

      But, if your doctor has approved the use of traditional medicine, you can use the following recipes:

    • Blue clay compresses. Dilute blue clay with water until the consistency of sour cream is formed. Apply to the affected area and insulate.
    • Foot baths with sea salt. Dilute a small amount of sea salt in warm water and dissolve it.
    • Rubbing fir oil into the area of ​​swelling.
    • Why do my feet swell at the ankles?

      You will need to determine what constitutes foot swelling. In this condition, fluid collects in the organs and extracellular tissue spaces of the body. The phenomenon may signal the onset of a disease and requires medical attention.

      In what cases does swelling occur?

      If your legs and ankles swell, it is better to find out the cause. Edema of the feet develops on one or both legs. In the first case, swelling indicates damage to the joint of the limb, in the second it already signals health difficulties.

      When a person breaks a leg, sprains ligaments, ankles, in addition to swelling, pain of varying strength is noted. The cause is hemorrhage from damaged vessels.

      If blood flow is disrupted, blood vessels narrow or become clogged, blood clots form. The veins become inflamed and the joint swells.

      An infection affecting the ankles causes the joint to swell. Skin disease, phlegmon, abscess, arthritis, arthrosis are accompanied by a similar reaction. Ankles become swollen after being bitten by insects or amphibians. The reason for the development of allergies is the poison that has entered the tissue, regardless of the affected area.

      Varicose veins interfere with the flow of blood through the vessels. Stagnation occurs, bruising appears inside the tissues. Swelling occurs in the ankles.

      In this case, the reasons for the appearance are different and may be similar to those stated above. Due to prolonged standing in one place or sitting in one position, stagnation of blood in the ankle joints is observed. As a result, the connections become cluttered. You need to do a warm-up, walk for 8-10 minutes.

      Similar consequences on both legs are caused by bad shoes, weight above normal, pregnancy, heart and kidney disease, impaired lymphatic drainage from the lower extremities, the development of lymphostasis and lymphedema, diabetes mellitus, taking hormones, anti-stress medications. Regardless of the cause of edema, the situation is abnormal for human health and requires consultation with a doctor.

      Swelling that is short-term in nature goes away without the use of medications. If no injury occurs, it is enough to lie on your back and raise your legs above chest level. If one ankle is swollen, both need to be raised. This will equalize blood pressure in the left and right limbs. A simple procedure takes half an hour. It is permissible to drink a herbal diuretic.

      During this period, salt intake and liquid intake are limited. Salt baths and regular contrast showers have a beneficial effect on the condition of the feet. In the evenings you need to massage your soles and do simple exercises in the mornings. Some people think that they should walk less. Exclusively if the ankle joint does not move.

      Drug treatment

      Many people believe that it is possible to treat ankle swelling using diuretics. You will need to consult a doctor. Conventional methods will not help to cope with the cause of swelling; they will only eliminate the consequence. When hypertension or other heart disease leads to swelling of the legs, the underlying problem needs to be addressed. During the healing process, the swelling will subside without additional medications.

      Many recipes based on herbal teas have been created as diuretics. Drinks can be consumed for a long time without affecting other organs. Diuretic tablets are prescribed by a doctor; you need to find out the cause of joint swelling. It is possible to cope with the initial stage of joint swelling using the following recipes:

    • Flax seeds (30 g) are poured into a liter of boiling water and boiled for 15 minutes. Leave for an hour, drink 100 g, no more than six times a day. Take the medicine for two weeks;
    • Birch leaves are plucked and placed in linen bags. The legs are placed in the filled bag and sat for 4 hours. The swelling will begin to disappear after two sessions;
    • Mix black elderberry flowers, mint, calamus root, nettle and linden in equal parts. Add 30 g of the mixture to 500 ml of boiling water and leave for an hour. Drink 100 g in the morning and at night after meals;
    • A glass of parsley root is crushed, poured with boiling water (500 ml), and infused in a warm place for ten hours. Strain, mix with lemon juice and consume 80 g for three days;

    When using these recipes, continue to monitor your diet and lifestyle. The diet should contain fermented milk products, herbs, garlic, currants, grapes, and pumpkin. Herbal infusions can completely replace other drinks. Products strictly prohibited:

    How edema helps in diagnosis

    Depending on the area of ​​swelling of the limb, an experienced doctor is able to determine the disease that caused the body’s reaction. Swelling of the feet and ankles indicates heart problems that are chronic in nature.

    Kidney diseases are not characterized by swelling of the ankle; it will appear on the face. Venous stagnation and thrombophlebitis, affecting the extremities, is characterized by swelling in the ankle area.

    Varicose veins are often diagnosed in women. It can be hereditary and acquired. If the leg is swollen, this indicates a malfunction of the valve apparatus. The feet can increase in size and appear swollen. The process causes pain when the woman walks. She has difficulty choosing shoes and moves little. The tumor spreads higher and reaches the knee.

    In some cases, reactive edema is observed, characterized by heat at the site of the lesion, and a possible increase in general temperature. Indicates an inflammatory process.

    Edema during pregnancy

    Edema of the extremities is observed in pregnant women. There are several reasons. Weight increases, mass increases. In the second part of the term, the expectant mother increases the amount of fluid consumed. This is associated with hormonal changes and fits into the norm.

    In some women, the uterus is low and puts pressure on the blood vessels, leading to dilation of the veins and swelling of the ankle. There is minor pain that goes away after childbirth. The only cause of concern is swelling of the left leg. It is recommended to consult a doctor immediately to find out the cause. You can't do anything on your own. Medicines for the expectant mother are prescribed exclusively by a doctor. Otherwise the child will suffer.

    Ankle exercises

    It is easy to eliminate swelling in the indicated area with the help of simple exercises that will take 10 minutes a day:

  • They perform rolls, placing the limb first on the toe, then on the heel.
  • If the leg is slightly swollen, it is possible to walk on tiptoes. You are supposed to spread and clench your fingers alternately.
  • Keeping your legs suspended, your feet make rotational movements in different directions. If you feel pain while doing exercises, it is better to stop the exercises.
  • Due to better blood circulation and the predominance of muscle tissue over fat, male edema is much less common. It appears as a result of fluid accumulation in the lower extremities and poor outflow. A sedentary lifestyle and injuries lead to this. Regular exercise is enough. A traumatologist examines injured legs and prescribes appropriate procedures.

    There are known pathologies, the first sign of which is a swollen joint. They are not separated by gender. It is equally important for men to monitor their diet and lifestyle. Representatives of the stronger sex should not get involved in physical activity if their limbs swell for no obvious reason. The diet must contain sufficient protein. Perhaps the body is oversaturated with salt, and the removal of fluid from the body is delayed.

    It is easier for men to notice the initial stage of the problem; they wear socks every day. If a strip remains on the body in place of the elastic band, a signal to action is given. You can try lowering the edge of the sock and see how severe the swelling is. Do not trigger the condition, take action immediately.

    Watermelon copes well with the role of a watermelon cleaner. The fruit has a diuretic effect, contains substances that cleanse blood vessels of cholesterol plaques, and removes salts from the body.

    It is better to start the day with warm-up exercises and a limb massage.

    To answer the question - why the ankle joint swells and what to do, you need to see a doctor. You shouldn't walk around and endure pain. Only a consultation with a doctor can get rid of this unpleasant defect.

    Swelling of the legs in the ankle area

    Swelling of the legs in the ankle area is a fairly common symptom these days. Of course, it mainly affects older people, however, young people and even children can often find swelling in the ankle area. If your legs and ankles swell, what is the cause and how to treat it at home, and in what cases should you contact a specialist? We will answer these questions in the article.

    Causes of swelling in the ankle area

    Edema is an increase in the volume of fluid in the intercellular space or organs. Their occurrence indicates the presence of some disorder in the functioning of the body.

    Why do my legs swell around the ankles? There can be many reasons for this: from an unhealthy lifestyle and excessive stress, to serious illnesses or injuries. To determine why your ankles are swollen, you need to pay attention to the accompanying symptoms and overall health.

    If your legs are swollen around the ankles, the reasons may be related to arthritis. With this disease, one ankle joint or both are inflamed. Mostly elderly people are susceptible to this disease. The person feels stiffness in movements, the ankles of the feet swell, and the affected joint is very painful. In the acute course of the disease, the temperature may rise locally. If treatment is not started in time, the articular cartilage may be completely destroyed within a few years.

    If your ankle is swollen and red, the cause may be due to developing gout. This disease is caused by the deposition of uric acid salts in the ankle joint due to metabolic disorders and improper functioning of the kidneys. In this case, severe pain occurs, often at night, the joint becomes inflamed, causing a local temperature increase at the site of swelling, and the ankle swells.

    Another cause of leg swelling can be varicose veins. This is a fairly common disease that is more often observed in middle-aged women. The risk of varicose veins increases in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.

    The disease is characterized by dilation and lengthening of the veins, as well as thinning of the venous wall. The lower limbs do not look very aesthetically pleasing. First, a venous network appears, and over time, dark blue saphenous veins begin to protrude and nodes form. All this is accompanied by swelling of the leg in the ankle and lower leg, a feeling of heaviness and fatigue. In addition, varicose veins can cause cramps at night.

    Thrombosis and thrombophlebitis

    The formation of blood clots in the vessels and inflammation of the vein wall is what can also cause a limb to swell. In this case, the affected area is quite painful, redness or bluishness of the skin is observed. Thrombophlebitis causes heaviness and fatigue in the legs.

    If you have a swollen bone on one ankle or on the outside of your foot, you may suspect a hygroma. This is a benign tumor-like formation formed due to the accumulation of fluid in the periarticular bursa. The cone has dense walls and serous fluid with mucus and fibrin inside. This tumor is most often localized near the ankle bone or on the outside of the foot. Young people, mainly women, are more susceptible to this disease.

    In most cases, hygroma does not cause any symptoms other than the presence of the lump itself, which is easily visible and palpable. The ankle bone does not even hurt, however, this does not mean that you need to refuse treatment. Complications of the disease can provoke a strong increase in the tumor, which will interfere with movements and look very unsightly. In addition, the adjacent joint or the lump itself may become inflamed and suppuration may occur.

    Why do women's ankles swell? Swelling of the limbs can be caused by hormonal imbalance, which is often found in women of childbearing age or during menopause. There are many reasons for the occurrence of this condition, it can be the most commonplace stress or poor diet, as well as taking hormonal drugs, for example, contraceptives.

    In addition, swelling of the legs can be caused by excess production of estrogen hormones, which occurs during the premenstrual period. In this case, the swelling usually subsides on its own with the end of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and no additional measures need to be taken.

    Ankle swelling also occurs due to traumatic injuries. This could be a bruise, sprain or rupture of ligaments, dislocation, or fracture. Most often, such injuries occur during sports, in particular while running, jumping or falling. Often women twist their ankle when walking in high heels. For older people, the winter season is especially dangerous, when you can fall by slipping on ice.

    According to the location of sprains and fractures, the lateral ankle is affected predominantly, that is, its outer part, although damage from the inside is also possible.

    Immediately after the injury, symptoms such as leg swelling, redness and severe pain occur. When a ligament is bruised or torn, after some time a hematoma appears at the injured site. If the damage is severe (fracture, dislocation), the ankle hurts so much that the person cannot stand on his leg.

    Other factors that cause ankle swelling

    What else can cause an ankle to swell? If ankle swelling occurs in the absence of additional symptoms, the causes are most likely hidden in your daily life, habits, and diet.

    The reason why your ankles swell may be simple fatigue. If you spend the whole day on your feet, it is not surprising that by the evening you will experience swelling and heaviness, which disappear after rest.

    Uncomfortable shoes, especially narrow or high-heeled ones, are another factor that causes ankle swelling and foot pain. The thing is that the ankle joint is already subjected to heavy loads when walking and running, and poorly chosen shoes only aggravate the situation.

    Improper drinking regimen, consuming large amounts of salt, and excluding protein-rich meat products from the diet also lead to swelling of the ankle.

    Treatment of leg swelling in the ankles

    Before deciding what is the best way to remove swelling from the ankle, you need to understand that without eliminating the factor that caused the swelling, all measures taken will be only temporary. Causes and treatment are usually inextricably linked. Next, we’ll look at what to do and how to treat swelling.

    Medicines to relieve ankle swelling

    If your leg is swollen in the ankle area, you can use special creams, ointments and gels that will stimulate the flow of fluid from the limbs and also help relieve fatigue. Here are some of them:

  • Lyoton, the main component of which is heparin. The drug helps cope with fatigue, pain and swelling of the ankles, prevents the formation of blood clots in the vessels;
  • Heparin ointment is a decongestant that is also used to treat bruises, ulcers, hematomas, and promotes the resorption of blood clots;
  • Venitan. Its main component is escin, which has anti-inflammatory, decongestant and venotonic effects, which allows it to effectively fight varicose veins.
  • In addition, if your ankle is swollen due to heart failure, kidney failure, or certain vascular diseases, your doctor may prescribe the use of diuretics (diuretics). For example, Furosemide, Trifas, Lasix, Veroshpiron.

    Folk remedies for ankle swelling

    In addition to drug treatment, folk remedies can help in the fight against swelling of the legs and ankles:

  • Grate 1 potato tuber on a fine grater and apply it as a compress to the swollen part of the leg, secure the top with a plastic bag and bandage, leave for 2-3 hours;
  • Treatment with essential oils such as fir, cypress, pine, myrtle and geranium oils helps a lot. Rub in with light massage movements morning and evening;
  • a swollen ankle will quickly return to normal if you consume a decoction of flax. To prepare it, 1 tsp. pour a glass of boiling water over the seeds, boil for 15 minutes and let it brew for an hour;
  • blue clay compress. Dilute with water to the consistency of sour cream, apply for 2 hours.
  • First aid for injuries

    If your ankle is swollen as a result of an injury, it is necessary to provide first aid promptly. When done correctly, you will be able to reduce symptoms such as pain and swelling.

    First, the injured limb needs to be immobilized; it would be better to place it on a raised surface, such as a pillow or bolster. Then you need to apply a cold compress to the swollen area and only after some time, if necessary, make a bandage or apply a splint.

    If there is a suspicion of a fracture, dislocation or rupture of ligaments, it is necessary to contact a traumatology department and take an x-ray to determine the nature of the injury.

    Preventing leg swelling in the ankle area

    To minimize the risk of swelling in your ankles, there are some preventive measures you can take.

    1. It is necessary to pay attention to moderate physical activity. Gymnastics, yoga, and other sports help improve blood circulation and joint mobility, which, in turn, will help prevent many diseases.
    2. Wearing comfortable shoes is also important for healthy feet. Orthopedists recommend walking in high heels for no more than two hours a day. For work, you should choose shoes with a comfortable instep.
    3. After a hard day at work, you can get a light massage that will reduce fatigue and swelling of the limbs.
    4. Another way to relieve tension in the legs is sea salt baths. However, it should be borne in mind that with varicose veins it is better to avoid such procedures with warm water.
    5. In addition, you should pay attention to sufficient fluid intake throughout the day. An adult should drink 1.5 - 2 liters of clean water per day.
    6. Swelling of the ankles does not occur just like that; some factors or diseases contribute to its appearance. Be that as it may, a tumor can cause discomfort in everyday life, and therefore you should not ignore this symptom. To successfully cope with the problem, you need to know if your legs are swollen at the ankles, what is the reason and how to treat it.

      Swelling of the legs at the ankles: the reason, how to treat

      If your feet and ankles swell, the reasons may be different: uncomfortable shoes, diseases of the veins, heart, kidneys, injuries. The help of specialists, the necessary medications and folk remedies will help solve the problem.

      Swelling of the legs occurs for various reasons. You need to immediately pay attention to this: either this phenomenon is random and transient, or it is a symptom of a serious illness. By determining the nature and time of their appearance, you can easily get rid of swelling or begin the necessary treatment on time.

      Why do the legs swell at the ankles: the reason

      Edema is an increase in tissue size due to the accumulation of fluid in them. Swelling, redness or blue discoloration of the skin on the inside of the leg becomes noticeable. The common cause of swelling is a slowdown in the outflow of blood and lymph through the vessels; the fluid stagnates and seeps through the walls of blood vessels, accumulating in the subcutaneous tissues.

      1. Swelling of one leg indicates its damage. If both legs swell near the feet and in the ankles, this is a sign of a general disease. Legs can swell in the morning, in the evening, after physical activity - and these will be different problems.

      Temporary edema occurs in the following cases:

    7. prolonged standing or sitting, especially with crossed legs, causes stagnation of venous blood, swelling of the feet and ankles;
    8. an uncomfortable sleeping position also impedes the movement of blood through the vessels;
    9. Abuse of salty foods leads to excess sodium salts retaining fluid in the body;
    10. In summer, in hot weather, a lot of potassium salts are released through sweat: its deficiency in the body leads to fluid retention.
    11. Tight shoes and especially active movement in them impede blood and lymphatic flow. The result is swelling in the feet after walking in high heels or training in uncomfortable sneakers.
    12. All these swellings are not dangerous and go away on their own if the cause that causes them does not recur.

      2. Swelling in one leg: it can be either the right or the left; it appears for many reasons.

    13. A fracture, injury, sprain as a result of a sudden awkward movement is always accompanied by swelling of the limb, because normal blood flow is disrupted. And after an injury and removal of plaster for fractures, swelling is associated with a violation of the outflow of lymph and its accumulation in the tissues. They develop in places located below the damaged area.
    14. Thrombosis of an extremity is a blockage of veins, especially capillaries, by a blood clot (thrombus). It narrows the lumen of the vessel and impedes the flow of blood. The blood stagnates, the veins swell, fluid from the blood seeps into the tissues, the skin turns blue, the swelling does not go away either in the morning or in the evening. As a result of inflammation of the vein, a complication develops - thrombophlebitis, which is accompanied by a painful burning sensation near the inflamed vessel. Acute pain in the area of ​​edema is a symptom of thrombophlebitis or lymphatic edema.
    15. Chronic venous insufficiency is a disease of the deep venous vessels. Disturbances in the functioning of the valves of these vessels lead to the return of blood flow to the superficial veins: they swell, and redness is noticeable in these places. Varicose veins develop in the legs, in which swelling rises up to the knee and intensifies in the evening.
    16. Infectious skin diseases - erysipelas, abscess, cellulitis, as well as insect bites, are accompanied by swelling. In the latter case, she has an allergic reaction to the poison in the saliva of the bitten bloodsucker. Swelling areas caused by allergies are very itchy. Itching due to swelling can be relieved with a cold compress of ice applied above the problem area.
    17. Arthrosis is a joint pathology associated with the destruction of their cartilage tissue. The joint swells, puts pressure on the vessels, disrupting the movement of blood in them - swelling develops on the foot over its entire area.
    18. Of course, unilateral swelling does not go away on its own. The diseases that cause them cannot be cured without the help of specialists: therapists, traumatologists, phlebologists; drug treatment is necessary.

      3. Bilateral edema may have even more serious causes.

    19. Heart failure leads to swelling in both legs. A diseased heart does not have time to pass the flow of blood through itself, high pressure is created in the vessels, and blood penetrates into the tissues. Cardiac edema is soft and cool to the touch, with a bluish tint; if you press on it, it leaves a dent. They subside overnight and increase towards the end of the day. Please note: if the dent when pressing on the swelling lasts a long time, it means that it is most likely associated with heart disease. The hopes that they will go away on their own are in vain: appearing first on the ankles, near the bone, which becomes indistinguishable, the swelling spreads throughout the body, reaching the face.
    20. Renal edema, unlike cardiac edema, begins to appear on the face and usually in the morning. With the development of kidney disease, fluid filtration becomes difficult, and it is retained in the body in ever greater quantities. The arms and legs up to the ankles begin to swell, all this is accompanied by pain in the lower back. Treatment must begin with the diseased organ.
    21. Lymphostasis and lymphedema are a disease of the lymphatic system, through the vessels of which the outflow of lymph is disrupted. This fluid with a high protein content and metabolic products accumulates in the intercellular space (lymphostasis). Its stagnation, which is accompanied by the breakdown of dissolved substances, leads to inflammatory processes in edema (lymphedema). Hard connective tissue is formed - it will no longer resolve, this leads to a serious illness - elephantiasis, which in the last stages is difficult to cure. Please note: swelling of lymphatic origin is painful, does not leave indentations when pressed and does not go away after a night's rest.
    22. “Hunger edema” is the result of abuse of protein-free diets. Proteins retain water in the blood and ensure normal pressure in blood vessels. If there are not enough of them, water from the blood goes into the tissues - edema forms, the person “swells from hunger.”
    23. Obesity leads to swelling of the lower extremities for another reason. Excess weight puts a lot of stress on the legs, the vessels of which are compressed and blood circulation in them is impaired.
    24. Swelling in the legs in older people is often associated with a slower metabolism, and fluid is poorly removed from the body. But if the left leg is very swollen - in the back or in the ankle - this may be a signal of heart or lung disease.
    25. Swelling in all of these cases develops in both men and women. However, the fair half, unfortunately, has more reasons to worry about the slimness of their legs.

      Why do women's ankles swell?

      1. During pregnancy, this unpleasant symptom may appear after the 30th week.

    26. Firstly, the enlarged uterus puts pressure on the inferior vena cava and interferes with the outflow of venous blood.
    27. Secondly, the amount of sodium in the blood increases, which leads to fluid retention. Reducing the amount of salt and fried foods during this period becomes necessary. For these reasons, swelling increases in the evenings, but is completely unnoticeable in the morning.
    28. Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy with high blood pressure and increased protein in the blood; not only the legs, but also all parts of the body swell, weight increases rapidly. This condition requires hospitalization.
    29. 2. The second cause of edema is changes in hormonal levels at critical and transitional moments in the development of the female body:

    30. in the days before menstruation;
    31. After childbirth, the first visible veins appear, the legs require special care.
    32. during menopause.
    33. These phenomena most often do not require medical intervention or special treatment.

      How to treat leg swelling at the ankle

      As you can see, swelling is a symptom of various diseases, so effective treatment requires a correct diagnosis. It can be installed by doctors such as a therapist, phlebologist, cardiologist, nephrologist, rheumatologist, gynecologist, and traumatologist. They will prescribe treatment for the underlying disease and determine what to do with swelling. Blood and urine tests are required; electrocardiogram, ultrasound examination of the veins of the lower extremities.

      If no pathologies are found, a simple set of rules and procedures will help relieve swelling.

    34. Reduce salt and liquid intake;
    35. Introduce foods with a diuretic effect into the diet: watermelon, melon, cucumbers, carrots, beets, parsley; kefir, cottage cheese; drink pumpkin juice (0.5 cups per day), parsley decoction.
    36. Massage your legs in the direction from the foot to the knee.
    37. Regularly make foot baths with sea salt; mint, birch, chamomile leaves; with juniper berries. Such procedures also relieve excessive sweating of swollen feet, because their shoes become tight.
    38. Popular folk remedies for relieving swelling: make applications from blue clay (for an hour, 2-3 times a day); rub fir or cedar oil into areas of swelling (before bedtime); apply compresses from grated potatoes.
    39. Walk, run, swim, move more in general.
    40. Rest in a horizontal position with your legs raised, sleep with a cushion under your feet.
    41. Treatment of leg swelling due to heart failure is carried out with diuretics - bumetanide and similar drugs. These diuretics for swelling of the legs are taken in courses and can only be prescribed by a doctor; their abuse will lead to the removal of valuable salts and elements from the body.

      A specific treatment for venous edema is the use of phlebotonics (Detralex, etc.) - these medications relieve inflammation and restore lymphatic drainage in the vessels. Drugs such as troxevasin, heparin ointment and the like have an analgesic effect and soften the skin.

      The second way to treat venous problems is women's compression underwear: knitted tights and knee socks that fit the leg tightly, create pressure, replacing the work of venous valves, help blood rise to the heart and not stagnate in the vessels. The size of the tights is selected by the doctor; in case of venous insufficiency, this is usually compression class 1 or 2.

      Why do my legs swell around the ankles?

      So, the cause of edema is stagnation of blood in the venous vessels, which causes fluid to seep through their walls and accumulate in the tissues. It is in the ankle area that the upward movement of blood towards the heart and overcoming the force of gravity begins: the venous valves block its way back. Their pathology disrupts this process. Swelling in the ankle area indicates that the outflow of blood is impaired and it does not rise well. About two liters of fluid are formed in the tissues of the legs every day, which must be removed in a timely manner. Clearly visible swelling is formed when there are 4.5 liters of excess moisture in the body, in especially severe cases its amount reaches 30 liters - almost 30 kilograms of excess weight.

      And if the first minor swelling and illnesses associated with them are easily eliminated, then advanced problems require the help of many specialists, considerable funds and a lot of patience. It is important to take pity on your body in time and not let it break down from unbearable stress.

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