Find out more about swollen ankle
Swollen ankles are common and usually not cause for concern, particularly if you have been standing or walking a lot. But ankles that stay swollen or are accompanied by other symptoms could signal a serious health problem. Today, we will discuss some of the possible causes of ankle swelling and offers advice on how to treat them. ATTENTION: none of our tips should be take under consideration without a preliminary visitation to a doctor. Whatever the reason for the swelling is, when you see the problem with your ankle, contact your GP at first. He will send you to the right specialist for the right diagnose, which will respectively determine the most effective and suitable treatment.
But before listing the top conditions that can be the reasons fr the swollen ankle, check out the main symptoms that are accompanied with this syndrome typical with its discomfort, disability to wear all of your common and daily shoes, other limits and discomforts. It is important to understand that a swollen ankle can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying problem. In addition to the ankle swelling, symptoms may include:
- Swelling in foot or leg
Top common reasons for having a swollen ankle
How to treat the swollen ankle?
Gout is due to the accumulation of uric acid crystals within the fluid of your ankle. Uric acid is a substance produced as part of digestion. In order to properly digest food and rid our body of waste, our bodies produce substances such as uric acid to transport waste material. People with gout abnormally accumulate uric acid crystals within joints, leading to inflammation and swelling.
- Ankle Arthritis
Ankle arthritis is much less common than degenerative changes in other joints. However, ankle arthritis can occur and can be quite painful. Ankle arthritis is most common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or in patients with a previous injury to the ankle joint.
Surgical treatments for ankle arthritis depends on the severity of the condition. In mild cases of arthritis, such as anterior impingement, a less-invasive ankle arthroscopy may be helpful in removing bone spurs. As arthritis progresses, the options are usually limited to either ankle fusion or ankle replacement surgery.
Infection is an unusual cause of ankle swelling. Infections can either occur in the soft tissues around the ankle joint (cellulitis) or in the joint itself (septic joint ). Infections can often be treated with medications alone, but may also require surgery.
- Vascular Obstruction
Numerous problems with blood flow can impair normal circulation and lead to swelling around the ankles. The most common cause of vascular obstruction is a blood clot, also known as a DVT. This type of vascular problem usually occurs in one leg (not both), and leads to swelling of the soft tissues throughout the foot and ankle. The swelling can also extend further up the leg.
- Peripheral Edema
Peripheral edema is also a circulation problem, but is seen in both legs, not just one. Lower extremity edema can be due to the aging of the veins leading to chronic swelling, as well as other conditions that can place pressure on the leg veins. These conditions include pregnancy, obesity, and sore veins.
- Traumatic Injury
A traumatic injury, such as an ankle sprain or a broken ankle, is the most common cause of ankle swelling. Patients almost always remember the particular injury, but occasionally even subtle injuries can also lead to ankle swelling. Also, stress fractures can occur around the ankle joint leading to swelling.
Some swelling of the ankles and feet is normal during pregnancy. Sudden or excessive swelling, however, may be a sign of pre- eclampsia, a serious condition in which high blood pressure and protein in the urine develop after the 20th week of pregnancy. If you experience severe swelling or swelling accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, headaches, infrequent urination, nausea and vomiting, or vision changes, seek medical advice immediately.
- Make exercises, yoga is a good alternative
Of course, you’ll want to talk to your doctor before starting up with yoga, especially if you haven’t been doing it before. If you’re totally new to yoga, I highly recommend taking a class. A yoga instructor can not only help you overcome any hesitations you have about yoga, but she or he will make sure you are doing the poses properly and might even be able to suggest additional postures to help with your edema! Once you have a swing of how the poses feel, you can practice at home.
- Salty water bath
Adding a healthy dose of Epsom salts to the tub is another way to boost that bath. Like the grapefruit oil, you can also just use a bucket, if you’re only having swelling in your feet and ankles. If your calves are swollen, too, a bath is probably your best bet.
- Try with a massage
Make sure to visit a special rehabilitation expert, who is aware what the best massage for your case is. Do not risk your health with vouchers or some promotions for massages that are mainly developed and designed for relaxation or beauty purposes only.