My Ankles Are Swollen: Should I Worry?
Many people in Gastonia and the surrounding area experience swollen ankles, but is this a cause for concern? Our podiatrists have the answers!
Insights from Your Gastonia Podiatrists
Whether it’s a little puffiness after a long day of standing or a sudden, dramatic change, ankle swelling (edema) can be unsettling. Although it can be worrying to notice your ankles looking swollen and feeling the stiff, the truth is that swelling in the ankle region isn’t uncommon and may not be a cause for concern. While swollen ankles may be a sign that further investigation and treat from your podiatrist is needed, many cases involve temporary or passing conditions that can be easily treated in the Gastonia, Belmont, and Charlotte Metro region.
At Carolina Foot and Ankle Specialists we often help patients understand the difference between temporary, harmless swelling and signs of a more serious underlying issue. To help put your mind at ease and provide answers, we’ve put together this guide to walk you through common and uncommon causes of ankle swelling and, most importantly, provide some insight into when it's time to call a specialist.
The Most Common (and Least Worrying) Causes of Swollen Ankles
Your ankles are situated at the bottom of your body, and for most people, being on your feet all day means that pressure is placed on your ankles as your walk and stand during the day. As a result, most of the time, swollen ankles are simply a result of gravity and your daily routine. This type of swelling, called peripheral edema, is often bilateral, meaning it affects both ankles, and tends to improve with rest and elevation.
Pregnancy is just one of many common causes of swollen ankles.
Some common causes of ankle swelling can include:
Prolonged Standing or Sitting: Gravity causes fluid to pool in the lower extremities. This is common after a long shift on your feet, or a long drive back to Charlotte.
Dietary Habits: Too much sodium leads to fluid retention. This often follows a salty meal or extended periods of a high-sodium diet.
Minor Injury/Overuse: A mild ankle sprain, strain, or tendonitis (like a flare-up of Achilles tendonitis). This can happen after a weekend spent hiking Crowders Mountain or starting a new jogging routine around Romare Bearden Park.
Heat and Humidity: Blood vessels expand to cool the body, and this can allow fluid to leak into surrounding tissues. This is common during our warm, humid North Carolina summers, but it can also fluctuate based on body temperature all year long.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and the growing uterus put pressure on veins. As a result, ankle swelling is standard in the later trimesters.
When Swollen Ankles Can Signal a Bigger Problem (Uncommon Causes)
While minor swelling is often manageable at home through rest, elevation, and cold therapy, certain symptoms are more concerning and warrant a call to our Gastonia podiatry office. Swelling can sometimes be a sign of a serious medical condition and should not be ignored.
Below are several less-common and more serious causes of ankle swelling:
The vascular system contributes heavily to the management of fluid buildup around the body, including in the ankles.
Vascular and Circulatory Issues
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis is caused by a blood clot, usually in the calf or thigh., and is a medical emergency. Swelling in only one leg or ankle, pain, warmth, redness, or tenderness can be signs of DVT, and you’re encouraged to seek medical attention right away if you experience these symptoms. Unlike normal ankle swelling, DVT does not go away on its own or resolve with rest, elevation, and cold therapy.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
Chronic venous insufficiency can be another less-common cause of ankle swelling. This condition can be the result of damage to veins, but obesity may also be the cause. In cases of CVI, veins struggle to send blood back to the heart, causing blood to pool. This can lead to swelling in areas of the body, including the ankles. Look for chronic swelling, especially if it doesn't go away overnight, be mindful of skin changes like discoloration or a leathery texture, and watch out for visible varicose veins.
Systemic Conditions
Heart, Liver, or Kidney Disease
Your heart, liver, and kidneys are organs that are vital for regulating fluid balance throughout the body. When they aren’t working correctly, fluid can accumulate, often starting in the feet and ankles. This type of swelling is known for not going away when you press down on a swollen area, causing a pitting effect, commonly referred to as pitting edema. Our podiatrist typically look for swelling in both ankles accompanied by shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of appetite, or weight gain.
Arthritis or Gout
Inflammatory conditions like arthritis and gout can cause swelling directly in the joint. Such conditions often result in sudden, intense pain along with redness and swelling. In cases of gout, you may notice pain in the big toe joint, and in cases of arthritis, you may experience chronic stiffness and swelling in the ankle joint.
Infection (Cellulitis)
Cellulitis is another reason for ankle swelling and may be accompanied by heat, redness, and pain, especially if you have a cut, scrape, or blister on your foot or lower leg or if you have diabetes. Cases of cellulitis require prompt antibiotic treatment and will not resolve on their own.
Gout can be a contributing factor when it comes to ankle swelling
Getting to the Root Cause: How Your Podiatrist Diagnoses Swelling
When you visit Carolina Foot and Ankle Specialists in Gastonia with persistent or concerning swelling, our goal is to accurately distinguish between a localized foot issue and a systemic problem. Unlike general practitioners, we specialize in the anatomy of the foot and ankle, making us uniquely qualified to diagnose the specific musculoskeletal and localized circulatory causes.
Your diagnostic process may include:
Detailed History and Physical Exam: We will ask about the onset, duration, and severity of the swelling, noting if it is pitting edema (leaving an indentation) and checking pulses in the foot.
Diagnostic Imaging: X-rays are crucial to rule out a subtle stress fracture or joint inflammation that could be causing the swelling.
Vascular Assessment: For swelling suggestive of CVI or DVT, we can coordinate with specialists in the Gastonia area to perform an ultrasound. This non-invasive test visualizes blood flow in your veins to identify blockages or faulty valves.
Blood Work: In coordination with your primary care provider, we may suggest blood tests to check kidney, liver, and cardiac function markers.
Advanced Treatment Options for Chronic Ankle Swelling and Related Issues
Once a definitive cause is identified, our team develops a personalized treatment plan that targets the root of the problem, utilizing both conservative and advanced methods right here in Gastonia, NC.
Custom Orthotics: Supporting Biomechanics
If your swelling is related to poor foot structure, instability (such as chronic ankle instability), or mechanical stress, custom orthotics are a powerful tool. Custom orthotics are prescription medical devices molded precisely to your foot.
They correct biomechanical imbalances, providing stability and aligning the ankle joint. For chronic ankle swelling related to gait issues, orthotics can optimize foot function, reducing the strain that leads to fluid pooling and inflammation.
Regenerative medicine like stem cell therapy can be used to address foot and ankle concerns related to ankle swelling.
Regenerative Medicine: Healing from Within
For swelling caused by chronic tendon damage like Achilles tendonitis or joint inflammation, we may use cutting-edge regenerative medicine treatments to promote natural healing and reduce swelling at the cellular level. Stem cell therapy is one example of a regenerative treatment that can significantly reduce chronic inflammation and swelling associated with tendon and ligament injuries.
Minimally Invasive Procedures: Addressing the Source
While some severe causes of swelling like DVT require immediate attention from a vascular specialist, podiatrists often work closely with these experts or directly manage the resulting foot and ankle complications. Furthermore, if long-standing swelling is related to ligament damage or instability that conservative care can't fix, minimally invasive surgery may be the best option.
Minimally Invasive Ankle Surgery can be used to correct chronic instability that leads to recurrent swelling, and smaller incision techniques allow us to repair or reconstruct damaged ligaments to restore long-term stability with less downtime compared to traditional surgery.
Finding relief from ankle swelling requires an exam, diagnostic testing, and targeted treatment
Case Study: Getting Back on Her Feet in the Belmont Area
Swelling that persists is often a sign that a visit to a foot and ankle specialist is necessary. We recently treated a 58-year-old resident of the Belmont area. Our patient works in real estate in Charlotte, NC and came to Carolina Foot and Ankle Specialists after her bilateral ankle swelling had been getting progressively worse over six months. She noticed her ankles would swell severely after showing properties all day, and even sleeping with her feet elevated wasn't providing complete relief.
Because this patient complained of chronic, mild to moderate swelling in both ankles that was worse by the end of the day along with a heavy, achy feeling in her legs, Dr. Lanier performed a physical exam, noting the pitting edema. To rule out systemic issues like CVI or DVT, he ordered imaging and a vascular referral.
After testing, it was found that our patient was suffering from mild CVI. Our team discovered that her job and genetics contributed to her veins struggling to efficiently pump blood back up her legs.
Personalized Treatment in Gastonia
In order to treat this patient, we recommended compression therapy through prescribed, medical-grade compression stockings to wear daily, especially when commuting to Charlotte. These are specifically sized to provide effective pressure gradient support. Our podiatrists also recommended lifestyle modifications and advised on exercises like daily walking to activate the calf muscle pump to aid in circulation. Lastly, we encouraged short breaks to flex the ankles throughout the workday.
Our patient was then scheduled for regular follow-up appointments in Gastonia so that our specialists could monitor her progress. Today, she experiences much less swelling and is pain-free.
Disclaimer: The details of this case are compiled from an amalgam of common patient experiences treated at our clinic and do not depict the personal details of any single patient.
Don't Guess When It Comes to Ankle Swelling
Get Clear Answers From Local Podiatrists
If you are a resident of Gastonia, Belmont, or the surrounding Charlotte community, your feet deserve specialized care. Swelling is your body’s signal that something is happening, whether it’s minor fluid retention or a complex circulatory issue.
Don't rely on generic Internet advice. The team at Carolina Foot and Ankle Specialists is here to provide a definitive diagnosis and personalized, targeted treatment. Take the next step and gain clarity and relief, and stop worrying about swollen ankles. Schedule your comprehensive ankle swelling evaluation with a foot specialist today.
Call Carolina Foot and Ankle Specialists today at (704) 867-7388 to get started!