What causes swelling in the ankle?
Disease description:
My ankle has been swollen recently, and it's a bit painful when pressed. I also feel uncomfortable when walking. What could be causing this? Is it due to walking too much?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Ankle swelling, commonly referred to as "swelling of the ankle joint," is one of the common clinical symptoms, and may be caused by various factors. The following are some major causes:
1. Physiological factors: prolonged standing, squatting, or a woman's menstrual cycle or pregnancy may cause ankle swelling.
2. Trauma or sprain: ankle sprains during exercise can lead to swelling and pain in the ankle joint.
3. Venous thrombosis: deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition; when blood clots form in the deep veins of the leg, they may cause ankle and calf swelling, accompanied by pain or a feeling of tightness.
4. Lymphedema: blockage in the lymphatic system can lead to accumulation of lymph fluid in the tissues, causing swelling, especially in the lower limbs.
5. Heart disease: in heart failure, the heart's pumping function weakens, which may cause fluid accumulation in the lower parts of the body, leading to ankle swelling.
6. Kidney disease: when kidney function is impaired, fluid balance in the body becomes disrupted, potentially causing generalized or localized edema, including ankle swelling.
7. Liver disease: liver conditions such as cirrhosis can affect protein production, leading to hypoalbuminemia, which in turn causes generalized edema, including ankle swelling.
