A swollen ankle may be the result of a joint injury, but it may also be related to a blood circulation problem.
Description of the swollen ankle
A swollen ankle, or swelling of the ankle, results in swelling of the joint, which may be accompanied by pain, a feeling of heat and redness.
Two main situations can be distinguished, although there are other possible diagnoses:
edema related to a joint injury (trauma, sprain or strain, tendonitis, etc.);
or edema related to a blood circulation disorder.
In the first case, the swelling (swelling) usually follows a shock, a fall, a false movement... The ankle is swollen and painful, it can be blue (or red), hot, and the pain can "throw" or be continuous.
In the second case, the ankle swells due to poor blood circulation in the feet and legs. This is called venous insufficiency. The swelling is generally not painful, although it can be embarrassing. It is accompanied by a feeling of "heaviness" in the legs and sometimes cramps.
You should not delay consulting a doctor if you have a swollen ankle, because it is not an insignificant symptom.
Causes of swollen ankle
A swollen ankle should lead to a consultation. After a shock or trauma, make sure that nothing is broken or, in the event of unexplained swelling, that it is not a potentially serious circulatory, cardiac or renal disorder.
As we have seen, ankle swelling can result from trauma: sprains, sprains, fractures, etc. In these cases, the swollen ankle is painful and the cause of the pain can be:
joint ;
bone;
or related to tendons (rupture of the Achilles tendon for example).
The second case is swelling of the ankle, or edema, due to a blood circulation disorder. Blood normally flows from the feet to the heart through a system of venous valves that prevent it from flowing back, and through the pressure of the calf muscles, among other things. Many situations can lead to venous insufficiency, which alters the flow of blood and leads to fluid stagnation in the legs. These factors include:
age;
pregnancy (water retention);
prolonged sitting or standing (travel, desk...).
The presence of edema in the ankles or legs may also indicate heart or kidney failure, which is a serious dysfunction of the heart or kidneys.
Finally, at the ankle, pain (usually without swelling, however) can also be related to osteoarthritis, which often occurs following repeated injuries (for example, in former athletes who have sprained their ankles many times). The ankle can also be the site of inflammation, in rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory rheumatism. Finally, gout or spondyloarthropathies can also affect the ankle and cause inflammatory pain.
Evolution and possible complications of the swollen ankle
A swollen ankle should lead to a consultation, in order to rule out the diagnosis of heart or kidney failure. In case of injury, adequate care is also required. The ankle is a fragile joint, which can easily injure itself. It is therefore important that the injury is properly resolved to avoid recurrences.
Treatment and prevention: what solutions?
Treatment obviously depends on the underlying cause.
In the event of a sprain or sprain, the application of ice, raising the foot and taking anti-inflammatory drugs are generally recommended. A serious sprain or fracture requires a cast or orthosis.
As soon as the pain subsides, it is advisable to resume walking quickly by protecting the affected ligament (bandage or semi-rigid orthosis for example) and avoiding pain.
The use of a cane or crutches may be required to allow walking.
Physiotherapy, rehabilitation or physiotherapy sessions can be useful to restore joint mobility and strengthen muscles weakened by prolonged immobilization.
In the case of venous insufficiency, it may be advisable to wear stockings or compression socks to limit swelling. Some drugs can also be purchased in pharmacies, but their effectiveness has not been formally demonstrated.
In the case of heart or kidney failure, medical follow-up will be provided. Several processing operations.