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What Causes Swelling In The Ankles When Diagnosed With Arthritis?
Question: My ankle keeps swelling and is difficult to walk on. With rest it goes away. Most of the time my foot and ankle aches. Sometimes, like today, the pain is acute and my ankle is filled with fluid. The podiatrist said I have arthritis but does not know why it keeps swelling. Doctor and chiropractor did not know why either. I have sciatic pain too. Why does my foot hurt and my ankle keep swelling?!
Brief Answer:
Can be due to arthritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The swelling of the ankle suggests an inflammation in the area. Arthritis can cause the swelling. Other serious causes for pedal and ankle edema are congestive heart failure, kidney disease, high altitude and dvt. Are you taking some medicines like laxatives? Abusing these drugs can also cause bilateral pedal edema.
You should follow these lifestyle measures to alleviate the symptoms:
1) Increase muscle activity with walking, avoid standing in place for long periods of time and avoid sitting with the feet dependent.
2) Limit salt intake and stop taking any laxatives (if you are taking them).
3) Elevate the legs when sitting and wear leg wedges while sleeping, support socks and proper fitting shoes and socks.
4) Keep your fluid intake adequate by taking plenty of fluids.
5) You can take diuretic pills after consulting your doctor to relive the pedal edema.
If the pedal edema persists then I suggest you an immediate physician consultation. You need to get blood tests, kidney function tests, electrolyte levels, ECG and stress ECHO, venous Doppler of the legs and urine tests done.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Can be due to arthritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The swelling of the ankle suggests an inflammation in the area. Arthritis can cause the swelling. Other serious causes for pedal and ankle edema are congestive heart failure, kidney disease, high altitude and dvt. Are you taking some medicines like laxatives? Abusing these drugs can also cause bilateral pedal edema.
You should follow these lifestyle measures to alleviate the symptoms:
1) Increase muscle activity with walking, avoid standing in place for long periods of time and avoid sitting with the feet dependent.
2) Limit salt intake and stop taking any laxatives (if you are taking them).
3) Elevate the legs when sitting and wear leg wedges while sleeping, support socks and proper fitting shoes and socks.
4) Keep your fluid intake adequate by taking plenty of fluids.
5) You can take diuretic pills after consulting your doctor to relive the pedal edema.
If the pedal edema persists then I suggest you an immediate physician consultation. You need to get blood tests, kidney function tests, electrolyte levels, ECG and stress ECHO, venous Doppler of the legs and urine tests done.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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