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What Causes Swollen Foot And Ankle?

Posted on Mon, 6 Apr 2015

Question: My 24-year-old daughter noticed that her foot and ankle was swelling last night. Nothing hurts, it just started swelling. She elevated it and took some Motrin. She also took some fluid pills. It is slightly down this morning after sleeping last night but still swollen. Could this be some type of muscle strain? She just started working out but nothing hurts her - just swollen foot and ankle up to about the shin area.

Answered by Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need more information.

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Thanks for using HCM.

I need some more details?

1. From the picture I can see the left foot swollen. So it is only the left foot swollen?
2. Is the leg warm or tender to touch?
3. Any injury/sprain?

Regards,
Dr.Barani

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (26 minutes later)

It is only the left foot, doctor. It was all of a sudden. It is not warm to the touch so I ruled out cellulitis or something like that. It does hurt at all! It is not warm. She started one of those extreme exercise classes but doesn't recall an injury and nothing else hurts! She has no other symptoms. No fever, no shortness of breath or anything like that. It is just the swelling and only the left leg from base of ties to mid shin only. Thanks so much!

Answered by Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Sprain or deep vein thrombosis

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
From the information you have given, there are only two possibilities.

1. Sprain foot causing the swelling. Rest, leg elevation, ice pack and ibuprofen would provide relief if the swelling is due to sprain

2. Since she is on birth control pills, deep vein thrombosis of the leg is another possibility. A doppler scan may be done to rule this out.

I hope that answers your query.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards,
Dr.Barani

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (21 minutes later)

Since she has been on the same pills for years I will assume it is the high impact exercise class. If this persists tomorrow would the er be in order for a Doppler? We will add the ice pack to the ibuprofen and elevation! Thanks again, doctor!!! I sure appreciate it.

Answered by Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes , doppler

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes, if the swelling persists, get a doppler done.

Regards,
Dr.Barani.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar