Current:Home > NewsSwollen ankles are a common problem. From compression socks to elevation, here's how to get rid of them. -DataFinance
Swollen ankles are a common problem. From compression socks to elevation, here's how to get rid of them.
View
Date:2025-04-18 21:53:34
Swollen ankles, also known as edema, are brought about by the buildup of fluid around the ankles, feet and legs. Most of the time, swollen ankles are temporary and not a cause for concern. However, it is possible that the swelling could be a symptom of a more serious health condition.
USA TODAY spoke with the experts to lay out the actionable steps you can take to find relief from swollen ankles. From compression socks to leg exercises, we’ll break down everything you need to know about managing this common problem.
What are swollen ankles?
For the average healthy person, swollen ankles are usually temporary. Symptoms of edema include “puffiness, skin discoloration, and a feeling of tightness,” says Dr. Dana Brems, DPM, a podiatrist and foot surgeon.
Swollen ankles often occur after periods of “prolonged sitting and inactivity,” such as sitting on a plane, Brems says. Over time, inactivity can cause “fluid to accumulate in the lower extremities,” she explains.
Conversely, swollen ankles can also result from standing for long periods of time, says Dr. Megan Ishibashi, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon. If your profession requires you to be up on your feet for work, “when you're standing all day long, all that fluid gets built up,” she says.
Swollen ankles are commonly experienced during pregnancy, Ishibashi adds. According to the NHS, swollen ankles can also be caused by obesity or eating salty foods.
When should I be concerned about swollen ankles?
Swollen ankles aren’t typically a cause for concern, but they can be an indication of an underlying illness.
Swollen ankles can be triggered by an infection, blood clot, venous insufficiency, lymphedema, or an injury to the ankle or foot, says Ishibashi. It is also a common side effect of certain medications, according to Healthline.
Pitting edema occurs when swelling of the ankle or foot is so intense that a visible indentation can be left in the skin after being touched, says Ishibashi. Pitting edema can be a sign of a more serious health concern, including conditions of the heart, lungs, kidney, liver, or veins, per WebMD.
How to get rid of swollen ankles fast
Based on the root cause of symptoms, treatment for edema will always vary from person to person. Generally speaking, to find relief from ankle swelling, “elevate the legs, wear compression socks, stay hydrated, and avoid prolonged standing or sitting,” Brems recommends. “Gentle exercises can also help improve circulation,” she adds.
Elevation of the feet is effective at reducing swelling because it encourages the accumulation of fluid to dissipate, Ishibashi says. Similarly, compression socks promote the drainage of fluid by physically pushing it back up toward your heart, she adds.
More:Does grapefruit lower blood pressure? Here’s everything you need to know.
How many days does it take for ankle swelling to go down?
“The duration for ankle swelling to subside can vary based on the cause,” Brems says. “Minor swelling due to injury may reduce in a few days, while swelling from medical conditions may take longer and require ongoing management.”
veryGood! (27)
Related
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- Federal appeals court takes step closer to banning TikTok in US: Here's what to know
- Stock market today: Asian shares retreat, tracking Wall St decline as price data disappoints
- TikTok asks Supreme Court to review ban legislation, content creators react: What to know
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- TikTok asks Supreme Court to review ban legislation, content creators react: What to know
- Horoscopes Today, December 11, 2024
- Epic Games to give refunds after FTC says it 'tricked' Fortnite players into purchases
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- 'Squirrel stuck in a tree' tops funniest wildlife photos of the year: See the pictures
Ranking
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- Ohio Supreme Court sides with pharmacies in appeal of $650 million opioid judgment
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- A Malibu wildfire prompts evacuation orders and warnings for 20,000, including Dick Van Dyke, Cher
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Man who jumped a desk to attack a Nevada judge in the courtroom is sentenced
- Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling
- Morgan Wallen's Chair Throwing Case Heading to Criminal Court
Recommendation
Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
In a First, Arizona’s Attorney General Sues an Industrial Farm Over Its Water Use
Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
Blast rocks residential building in southern China
Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
Hougang murder: Victim was mum of 3, moved to Singapore to provide for family
Mitt Romney’s Senate exit may create a vacuum of vocal, conservative Trump critics
10 cars with 10 cylinders: The best V