Don’t Ignore Your Swollen Ankles

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Chronically swollen ankles need your full attention for a very important reason: They could mean you’ve got a serious medical condition. Before you press the panic button, however, it’s important to distinguish between occasional swelling and persistent swelling.  

Occasional ankle swelling could mean

  • You’ve been on your feet all day and fluid has temporarily pooled.

  • You’re experiencing a side effect of some medication.

  • Your ankle’s been injured in some fashion - a sprain, for example.

  • You’re recovering from lower limb surgery.

  • Hormone levels are temporarily fluctuating, such as when a woman is menstruating.

  • You’ve gone a little overboard eating chips or other salty foods.

  • You’ve got some weight to lose. Extra pounds can prevent proper circulation in the lower legs.

Any of the above has a simple solution in sight. Lose the weight, lose the swollen ankles. Give your body a chance to recover from the trauma of ankle surgery and your swelling disappears. Adjust your medications and voilà - ankles back to normal. But solutions may not be so simple if you’ve got an underlying medical issue.  

Persistent (chronic) ankle swelling could indicate

  • A circulation problem.

  • Heart disease.

  • High blood pressure.

  • A blood clot.

  • Kidney or liver malfunction.

See a doctor for chronic ankle swelling

Poor circulation, heart disease, and high blood pressure are examples of underlying medical issues that need a doctor’s care. If swollen ankles have become an everyday occurrence for you, have them checked out at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Make an appointment for a complete exam with Dr. Samantha Boyd, Dr. Hal Ornstein, Dr. Dan Phan, or Dr. Joseph Saka at our office in Howell or Jackson. Call us at (732) 905-1110 or contact us online.