Ankle and Foot Inflammation

Problems with our feet and ankles (and practically the lower part of our body) can be a sign of a more chronic medical condition. Years and years of wear and tear can take its toll on our feet, therefore it’s always wiser to be very alert of the signs and conditions of ankle and foot inflammation.

What Causes Swollen Ankle and Foot?

Other than different bone diseases, our ankles and feet can also get swollen by our usage of the wrong and ill-fitted footwear. This is the reason why more women suffer and are prone to foot diseases and ankle pain. If there is poor circulation towards your feet, it could also arise to serious problems on those areas in time.

Common Diagnoses

Depending on the nature of your pain and symptoms, your ankle and foot inflammation could be because of the diseases mentioned below:

• Achilles Tendinitis or Rupture of your Achilles Tendon
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
• Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury
• Plantar Fascitis
• Arthritis
• Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
• Intermittent Claudication
• Ankle Sprain
• Bunions
• Chondromalacia
• Hammertoe

Common Signs and Symptoms of Swollen Ankle and Foot

A swollen ankle or foot will always cause 3 basic signs and symptoms – Pain, swelling and inability to function normally with the affected foot.

Pain

Different types of pain and the different reigns where the pain is felt may call for different diagnosis. An excruciating pain in the ankle may be a sign of a torn ligament or tendon. Therefore, a patient must be very accurate when describing the nature and level of their pain.

However, this does not rule out the fact that some ankle problems are painless. There is swelling but without pain and tenderness. This could be an indication of a chronic disease of the heart, veins or circulation.

Swelling

If your foot or ankle is swollen, chances are there is active inflammation. This could be caused by inflammation of the bone or the tissues in the affected area. Poor circulation can also cause your foot to become swollen and irritated. Consult your doctor when you recognize these symptoms since they could be major indicator of a more serious health problem.

Loss of Function

Swelling could result in the loss of function on the affected part. In most cases, patients refrain from moving their foot too much due to pain and occasionally due to misalignment. No matter what the cause, the inability to function normally with your feet can be such a bother to many people.

Treatments Recommended for Swollen Ankle or Foot

More often than not, your treatment regimen will depend highly on your diagnosis. Some foot and ankle problems are chronic, but some are also just acute. Swollen feet caused by physical injuries are easier to treat when consulted early. It is the lack of attention that causes a foot and ankle problem to worsen. Listed below are some of the treatments and some rehabilitative remedies used to relieve a swollen foot or an inflamed ankle.

Elevate Your Leg

Prolonged standing can be a cause of swollen and heavy feet. The reason behind this is because your blood is slowly being accumulated to the lower part of your body and takes a slightly longer time to go up. The best way to relieve the pain is to elevate your feet at least 30 minutes from time to time.

Low Salt Diet

Sodium attracts water and salts are one of the main sources of sodium. Lessening the intake of salt can help reduce the swelling of your foot and eventually avoid more swelling in the future.

Lose Weight

If there is a need to lose weight, then do so. Your own body weight can significantly add more pressure on your injured/swollen foot.  Excess weight can exacerbate the pain and may prohibit movement on the affected part when due to added pressure on the foot.