Common Causes of Foot and Ankle Swelling

Ankle swell and internal bleeding

It is important to know that infrequent ankle swelling is common and isn’t really something that you should rush off to the doctor to have examined. However, some ankle swelling – especially if it’s persistent – is cause for concern. Whatever the case is, it is important to look at all the causes, because there are many that could be causing ankle and foot swelling. Moreover, foot and ankle sweating can be incredibly painful and frustrating, so it is critical to know what some of the causes are, because you may find relief on your own. Here are some common causes of foot and ankle swelling.

One of the most common causes is injury. Even if you have slightly bent your ankle at a strange angle, it could cause swelling. It may even cause swelling in your feet. Ankle injuries can be a result of a number of circumstances – from being on your feet all day long to spraining the ankle while walking down the street. Even some pairs of uncomfortable shoes can cause swelling and pain. If you have injured your ankle, it is recommended to not walk on the foot for a few days – or until the swelling has subsided.

Another common cause of ankle and foot pain is pregnancy complications. Pregnancy complications could put the mother and the newborn in danger, so it is important to have this problem looked at right away. If you are pregnant and notice excessive swelling that has seemingly come out of nowhere, you may have a condition called preeclampsia. This is a condition where the blood pressure has increased rapidly and protein is found in the urine. Preeclampsia can negatively affect the health of the mother and newborn.

Next, lymphedema may be another reason why you are having swollen feet or ankles. Basically, lymphedema is an issue that arises when the lymphatic fluid is not circulating efficiently. The lymph fluid is a protein dense fluid that courses through the body in the fight against diseases and bacteria. When the lymph fluid reaches the nodes, bacteria and other disease-causing elements are destroyed. However, when you have cancer, or if you have had lymph nodes removed, there is a very high chance of getting lymphedema, which can cause the fluid to build up in the ankles and feet, thus causing swelling and pain.

Lastly, if your feet are rather black and blue or red and veiny, there is a good chance that you have a blood clot. A blood clot is a serious cause for concern, because it means that you need to go to the doctor to have the clot removed. If you do not remove the clot, it could travel to the heart or brain and cause death. In the meantime, the clot will simply cause pain and swelling in the feet and ankles. It is recommended to visit an advanced foot & ankle doctor that can alleviate the swelling and figure out the source of the clot. Once the clot is gone, you will experience tremendous relief.


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