Ankles can become swollen for many different reasons, and anyone can experience swollen feet from time to time. It’s common — especially after walking or standing for long periods — and it’s often remedied by resting and elevating those tired dogs.

However it foot swelling persists, you may need to see a doctor because foot swelling can be a red flag for a more serious underlying problem, such as heart failure, deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a leg vein), kidney disease, or cirrhosis of the liver. So it’s important to determine the cause of your foot and ankle swelling.

When you are on your feet a lot, gravity pulls blood into the veins of your legs, and some of the water in the blood enters the tissues of your legs and feet, causing them to swell. But there are also some conditions that can cause similar swelling because they affect the movement of fluids within the body.

At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, Dr. Mathew Cheung and Dr. Peter Lin discuss inflammation and edema are two common triggers leading to swollen ankles feet. In this discussion, you will learn 15 common conditions which can lead to foot and ankle swelling. You will also learn life style change can to improve your swollen ankles or swollen feet.

Generally swollen ankles can result from one of two things: inflammation or edema.

What is an inflammation?

Inflammation occurs when a person’s immune system responds against an irritant. The irritant might be a germ, but it could also be a foreign object, such as a splinter in your finger.

Common causes of an inflammation

Many different things can cause inflammations. These are the most common:

• Pathogens (germs) like bacteria, viruses or fungi
• External injuries like scrapes or damage through foreign objects (for example a thorn in your finger)
• Effects of chemicals or radiation

What is an edema?

The word edema means swelling due to the accumulation of excess fluid. It is particularly common in the lower leg, ankles, and feet. Edema can occur from things like keeping the legs in the same position for too long, eating too much salt, and being at an unhealthy weight.

Common causes of an edema

Certain conditions can also cause edema. They include:

• various kidney problems
• blood clot
• heart failure
• chronic liver disease
• malnutrition or malabsorption
• hypothyroidism
• varicose veins
• infection

We will examine 10 common causes of ankle or foot swelling, including conditions that can cause either edema or inflammation.

1. Blood clots

Blood clots can develop in one of the veins in the arm or leg. One type of blood clot is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which requires urgent medical attention. A person can also get a superficial blood clot in the veins of the leg, which can progress into a DVT.

DVT obstructs the flow of blood returning to the heart, causing edema in the affected limb.

Sometimes, the body can compensate for the blockage by gradually diverting blood through smaller neighboring veins. Over time, these veins get larger and can drain blood from the limb.

If these veins do not increase in size, the limb may remain swollen. Persistent pain and swelling after a DVT is called post-thrombotic syndrome.

2. Chronic venous insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a common cause of edema. CVI is a condition that typically affects the valves in the leg veins but may occur in other locations.

CVI can be painful and uncomfortable. It may also cause noticeable changes to the skin.

These valves usually make sure that blood flows toward the heart. In CVI, the valves malfunction and allow blood to flow backward and pool in the lower legs and ankles.

3. Heart failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood as effectively as it should.

In congestive heart failure, a reduction in blood flow out of the heart causes blood to back up into the veins. This may lead to edema, including in the legs and ankles.

Heart failure also affects the kidneys, reducing their ability to remove salt and water from the body. This further contributes to edema.

4. Chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease is permanent kidney damage, which can worsen over time.

A person may not experience symptoms until they are in the late stages of the disease, called kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

During ESRD, the kidneys struggle to remove waste and extra fluid from the body. This can lead to a range of symptoms, including edema in the ankles.

5. Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body produces more blood and bodily fluids to support the developing fetus.

Edema is a common side effect of pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. It can affect the ankles, feet, legs, face, and hands.

Slight swelling is common and usually harmless. However, sudden swelling of the hands and face could signify a potentially life-threatening condition called preeclampsia.

6. Liver disease

A healthy liver produces a protein called albumin. Albumin prevents fluid from leaking out of the blood vessels and surrounding tissues.

Very low albumin levels due to liver disease can cause edema in the legs, ankles, and abdomen.

7. Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a swelling that affects the soft tissues in the arms or legs, including the ankles. It is due to a buildup of a fluid called lymph. This is mainly composed of white blood cells, which help fight infection.

Lymphedema occurs when there is a blockage or other damage to the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of infection and keep fluids in balance.

Lymphedema can result from infections, cancer, and surgical removal of the lymph nodes. Some hereditary conditions can also cause lymphedema.

8. Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism can affect a person’s muscles and joints, causing aches, pains, stiffness, and swelling. If a person has hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid, their thyroid gland produces too few hormones.

9. Injury

People who sustain an injury to the foot or ankle may experience inflammation in that area, causing it to appear swollen.

Ankle sprains are common, accounting for up to 40% of sports-related injuries.

10. Medications

Some medications can cause edema in the ankles as a side effect. Such medications include:

• antidepressants
• birth control pills and others containing estrogen
• testosterone pills
• calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure
• steroids

At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, we strive to provide the best service, care, and results possible. If you have circulation problem related to your arteries or veins and would like to seek consultation with a vascular surgeon, give us a call at 626-275-9566 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit us at www.vcsla.com for more information.