Swollen Ankle Pain

Ankle swelling is an inflammation in the ankle joints caused due to a variety of reasons. Retention of fluids and injury are the two most prominent causes that lead to swelling in ankles. Swollen ankle pain is a condition commonly seen in elderly, sportsmen and pregnant women.

Causes of Painful Swollen Ankles

As mentioned above, injury is one of the most important and common causes of swollen ankle and leg pain. Secondly, infection is another cause that results in swelling in ankles. Infection in the soft tissues in or around the ankle joint leads to ankle swelling and pain. Apart from these, the following are the other causes for the same.

Water Retention (Edema)
Water retention is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in any tissue beneath the skin. It is also known as edema and is considered as one of the early signs of kidney diseases. Although a fairly minor condition, it should not be ignored when experienced frequently.

Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis, which occurs when the amount of uric acid in the body increases. The excess uric acid gets stored in the joints resulting in inflammation and swelling. Pain, redness and inflammation in the joint, pain in the big toe, etc. are the symptoms of gout.

Arthritis
Arthritis is a disease marked by inflammation and pain in joints. Joint pain may occur in the elbows, shoulders, knees, ankle, etc. The exact cause of this condition is unknown. Arthritis is of two types: rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Swollen ankle, pain, inflammation, especially in the morning after getting up from bed, etc. are the significant symptoms of arthritis.

Pregnancy
Swollen ankle and calf pain is a fairly common condition. This occurs due to improper blood flow to the legs. The increased size of the stomach puts excess strain on the veins in the legs leading to impaired blood flow. Swollen ankles after pregnancy is also caused due to water retention.

Apart from the above mentioned causes, this condition can also be a symptom of premenstrual syndrome (in females), vascular obstruction, wearing improper footwear, fracture, standing for a longer period of time, etc. If one experiences joint pain, swollen ankle, pain or numbness, it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately.

Treating Pain and Swelling in Ankles

The doctor will undertake physical examination or X-ray in order to diagnose the condition. All the above mentioned causes can be treated effectively. Water retention can be treated by drinking plenty of water. Gout can be treated with the help of medications like corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs. The aim of the treatment is to reduce the amount of uric acid in the body and to get rid of the swelling and pain. On the other hand, although there is no cure for arthritis, there are medications that help in treating the symptoms of it. You can even go for anti-inflammatory medications. Pregnant women should consult a doctor if they experience swelling in the ankles. It is advisable to take plenty of rest, drink adequate amounts of water and have a healthy diet to prevent ankle swelling during pregnancy. Also, people should wear suitable footwear and heed to injury immediately.

As a concluding note, one should note that all the above mentioned causes can be effectively treated if timely treatment is undertaken. However, these treatment methods should not be substituted for medical consultation. You should consult the doctor if you experience pain and swelling. Take care!