What makes ankles swollen

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Here's how to recognize and treat it. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Common causes of foot, leg, and ankle swelling. Treating foot, leg, and ankle swelling at home. When to see a doctor about foot, leg, and ankle swelling. What to expect during your appointment.

Preventing foot, leg, and ankle swelling. Medically reviewed by J. Treatment for swelling or oedema that does not go away on its own will depend on the cause. It may include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or going on a low-salt diet. Page last reviewed: 14 November Next review due: 14 November Swollen ankles, feet and legs oedema. Common causes of swollen ankles, feet and legs Swelling in the ankles, feet and legs is often caused by a build-up of fluid in these areas, called oedema.

Oedema is usually caused by: standing or sitting in the same position for too long eating too much salty food being overweight being pregnant — read about swollen ankles, feet and fingers in pregnancy taking certain medicines — such as some blood pressure medicines, contraceptive pills, antidepressants or steroids Oedema can also be caused by: an injury — such as a strain or sprain an insect bite or sting problems with your kidneys, liver or heart a blood clot an infection Check if you have oedema Symptoms of oedema include: Swollen or puffy ankles, feet or legs.

Injuries and subsequent inflammation can also cause fluid retention and swelling. A swollen ankle or leg can cause the lower part of the leg to appear larger than normal. The swelling can make it difficult to walk. It may be painful, with the skin over your leg feeling tight and stretched out.

If you stand a large part of the day, you may develop a swollen ankle or leg. Older age can also make swelling more likely. A long flight or car ride may cause a swollen angle, leg, or foot too. Swelling in the ankle and leg could be the result of inflammation due to acute or chronic injury.

Conditions that can cause this type of inflammation include:. Mild edema can be caused by pregnancy, premenstrual symptoms, consuming too much salt, or being in one position for a long time. This type of leg or ankle swelling can be a side effect of certain medications, such as:. Mild edema will usually go away without any medical treatment. However, if you have a more serious case of edema, it can be treated with medications. The swelling tends to go away after you deliver your baby.

Until then, try these tips to prevent or lessen the swelling. You need plenty of fluids during pregnancy, usually at least 10 cups per day. If the swelling is painful, you should see your doctor to make sure that your blood pressure is normal. Your doctor will also want to check if you have a blood clot and rule out other possible conditions, such as preeclampsia.

If an injury prevents you from putting weight on your leg, this is also cause for concern. These include:. Testing may include:. If the swelling is caused by a medical condition such as congestive heart failure, the doctor may prescribe diuretics. These medications affect the kidneys and stimulate them to release fluids. If an ongoing medical condition such as rheumatoid arthritis is the root of the problem, your treatment may turn into management and prevention of that condition.

Swelling due to injury may require bone resetting, a cast, or surgery to repair the injured area.