What causes swelling in the ankle?
Disease description:
I have hypertension, and sometimes after taking blood pressure medication, my ankles swell. Why is this?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Causes of ankle swelling include:
1. Prolonged standing or sitting: Poor circulation in the lower limbs leads to ankle edema. In such cases, lying flat to rest or elevating the legs usually helps reduce the swelling.
2. Traumatic injuries: Sprains, bruises, or fractures can cause local inflammatory responses, leading to vasodilation and increased vascular permeability, which allows fluid and cellular components to leak into surrounding tissues, resulting in swelling.
3. Venous diseases: Conditions such as deep vein thrombosis and chronic venous insufficiency can impair venous return in the lower limbs, causing blood to accumulate in the veins, increasing pressure, and subsequently leading to edema. Deep vein thrombosis is particularly concerning as it can lead to serious complications such as pulmonary embolism.
4. Lymphatic system disorders: Blockage of lymphatic vessels or dysfunction of lymph nodes, such as lymphedema, can also cause ankle swelling. Impaired lymphatic drainage leads to the accumulation of proteins and other large molecules in the interstitial spaces, resulting in swelling.
5. Hypoproteinemia: Ankle edema can also be caused by hypoproteinemia resulting from malnutrition, long-term inadequate intake, excessive consumption, or other related factors.
