Orthopedics Leg, Foot & Ankle Why Your Foot or Ankle Is Swollen and What to Do for It By Catherine Moyer, DPM Updated on December 20, 2023 Medically reviewed by Cara Beth Lee, MD Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Trauma Arthritis Vein Problems Blood Vessel Blockage Infection Lymphatic Blockage Pregnancy Other Medical Conditions Medications Swelling in the ankles and feet is a common problem. This swelling is often caused by a buildup of fluid, which is called edema. Edema is common in the feet, ankles, and legs, and often only one ankle is swollen. Among the range of causes are those linked to a chronic condition like infection, arthritis, or a mass or tumor that affects just one foot and leg. When only one ankle is swollen and it happens suddenly, it can be due to: A sprain or fracture (trauma) A blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) Infection Insect bites In some cases, as with pregnancy or medication use, ankle and foot swelling may be temporary or reversible. Other conditions (often chronic) that are more typically involved when both ankles and feet are swollen can include: Heart disease Kidney or liver failure Obesity Obstructive sleep apnea This article can help you figure out what's causing your foot and ankle swelling. It discusses some of the common causes of swelling and other symptoms you might experience with the condition. Illustration by Ellen Lindner for Verywell Health Get Medical Attention for Sudden Swelling Sudden swelling can be life-threatening, depending on the cause. Seek medical care right away if you can't put weight on the limb, or the site feels hot or tender. You may have lost feeling or blood flow below the site of the swelling (for example, in your foot beyond a swollen ankle). It's also key if you have other serious symptoms like heart rhythm changes or trouble breathing. Are Swollen Feet a Sign of Heart Failure? Trauma Foot and ankle injuries are among the most common reasons for a healthcare provider visit. Those that cause swelling include: Ankle sprains Torn tendons Fractures (broken bones) Those tend to be sudden injuries. Overuse can cause swelling as well, but these injuries tend to come on more gradually. Overuse injuries include: Tendonitis Bursitis Ligament or muscle strains You're more likely to injure your feet or ankles if you play sports, exercise a lot, increase your activity level, or introduce a new exercise or activity, such as walking or running on a new type of terrain. Trauma tends to happen to one foot or ankle at a time, so only one side will swell. Some accidents and overuse injuries may cause swelling in both. The Difference Between a Sprain and a Strain Arthritis Arthritis, or joint inflammation, can cause swelling in the foot or ankle. Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis that may cause occasional swelling. It usually happens in a single joint. Gout is another form of arthritis that typically produces a very painful, red, swollen joint. The big toe is most common but gout can also affect the ankle or other joints in the foot. Some autoimmune diseases cause swelling and arthritis that affect both feet or ankles. These include: Rheumatoid arthritis Psoriatic arthritis Lupus Reactive arthritis In each of these conditions, the immune system attacks healthy tissues, leading to pain, inflammation, and damage. Septic arthritis occurs due to a bacterial infection in an arthritic joint, often in people who have: Implanted medical devices (joint replacements) A condition like gout that increases the risk due to chronic joint damage Underlying immune system compromise, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Septic arthritis is most often seen in children and older adults. It can affect just one ankle, or it can more widely affect the body. Septic arthritis can prove fatal and requires immediate medical care. Vein Problems Problems with leg veins, such as varicose veins or spider veins, often cause swelling in the lower legs. Veins return deoxygenated blood (blood without oxygen) to the heart. They may become damaged as we age and lead to swelling of the legs and ankles. This is known as venous insufficiency. The most common signs include: One leg that periodically swells (although both can be affected)Varicose or spider veins on the swollen leg or ankleA brown or darker brown skin discoloration that develops over time How Varicose Veins Are Treated 1:52 Things You Might Not Know About Varicose Veins Blood Vessel Blockage Pain and swelling in one lower leg can be signs of a circulatory problem. This is often due to a blood clot known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but it can have other causes including peripheral artery disease and compartment syndrome (often associated with an injury or overuse). Deep Vein Thrombosis Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can lead to life-threatening complications and requires immediate medical attention. It is often caused by inactivity. Some situations can make it difficult for you to move your legs frequently and may put you at risk for a DVT, such as: Air travelA leg castAn illness requiring bed rest Other risk factors include: Obesity Smoking Pregnancy Birth control medications Inherited blot clotting disorders If you take birth control medications, your risk of DVT is further increased if you also smoke or have an inherited blood clotting disorder known as Factor V Leiden. How Deep Vein Thrombosis Is Diagnosed Peripheral Artery Disease With peripheral artery disease (PAD), one or more of the arteries that carry blood to the lower extremities can become blocked due to underlying vascular (blood vessel) disease. This causes fluid to back up and can affect the ankle and foot. Chronic disease is the most common reason for PAD, but PAD also can occur in people who experience a traumatic injury or are exposed to radiation. In some cases, people diagnosed with PAD also have limited or disordered lymph function. Lymphatic blockage can also contribute to ankle or foot swelling. What Is Lymphedema? Compartment Syndrome Fluid will sometimes build up around the muscle at the ankle or other site, either due to exertion or because of a sudden injury. It can cause swelling due to the pressure which damages tissue. The forearm and the lower leg (at the shin bone) are common injury sites in people who experience sports-related compartment syndrome. Pain due to the swelling is common. Compartment syndrome needs to be treated quickly to avoid permanent tissue death and damage from sudden-onset swelling. It's also possible for compartment syndrome to be a chronic condition, with studies suggesting the lower leg is more often affected by chronic forms of the exercise-related diagnosis. Exertional Compartment Syndrome Infection Skin infection is a common cause of swelling in one foot. It's usually accompanied by pain and redness. Swelling is often seen with: Infected ingrown toenails (onychocryptosis) Infections between toes Severe forms of athlete's foot Other ways infection can occur in the feet include trauma, such as puncture wounds or nail injuries, and wounds caused by diabetes. Although much less common, an infection can occur in joints even without direct trauma. The shape of feet in some people also is marked by certain changes, such as flat feet or arches, that can contribute to the increased likelihood of foot or ankle swelling. Erysipelas Infection Erysipelas infection is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria affecting the skin of your feet, ankles, and lower legs; it also can be the cause of other skin and tissue infections, including impetigo, cellulitis, and necrotizing fasciitis. The symptoms of erysipelas (sometimes called St. Anthony's fire) include pain, a red area or rash, and sometimes fever and general malaise. What Is Erysipelas (St. Anthony's Fire)? Lymphatic Blockage Lymphedema is a swelling in your foot or lower leg due to blocked flow of lymph fluid. This can occur due to primary lymphedema, or because of another condition that leads to the swelling. Primary causes are rare and occur in about one in every 100,000 people in the United States. It can be an inherited disorder; Milroy disease, for example, is a genetic condition that occurs when someone is born with very small (or no) lymph vessels. Secondary causes of lymphedema affect one in 1,000 people, most often due to chronic venous insufficiency but also due to PAD. Pregnancy Swelling in both ankles and feet during pregnancy is common. It's caused by a combination of: Pregnancy hormonesIncreased blood volumeThe growing uterus which puts pressure on blood vessels in the legs You may have swollen legs after giving birth, as well. The swelling can last for a few days after delivery. If you have swelling during pregnancy, you should let your healthcare provider know. If you suddenly begin to swell during pregnancy, you need immediate medical attention. It could mean you've developed preeclampsia, a dangerous type of high blood pressure that can occur during pregnancy. Other Medical Conditions Some medical conditions that can cause swelling in both legs include: Heart disease Kidney disease Liver disease Chronic sleep apnea Complications of diabetes Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Treating a Swollen Foot or Ankle at Home Treatment for a swollen foot or ankle will depend on the cause. A sports injury may respond to rest, pain medication, and elevating the extremity, while a cause related to heart failure may require diuretic medication. Compression garments often are used to treat lymphedema. At home, you can ease ankle swelling by:Elevating your feetWearing compression stockingsCutting down on sodium (salt)Drinking more waterThese methods don't replace medical care for injuries or health conditions, but they can help you manage this symptom. 7 Ways to Get Rid of Swollen Ankles Fast Medications Some prescription medications can cause swelling in both legs, as well, including: Birth control pills Estrogen replacement drugs Testosterone drugs Corticosteroids Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Certain blood pressure medicines The diabetes drugs Avandia (rosiglitazone maleate) and Actos (pioglitazone) Drinking alcohol can also cause swelling in the ankles or feet. Can Swollen Feet Be a Symptom of Diabetes? When to Contact a Healthcare Provider Contact your healthcare provider or get emergency medical attention for:Increased swelling when you have heart or kidney diseaseSwelling in your legs when you have a history of liver diseaseSwelling with feverSwollen area that's warm to the touch or discoloredSudden increase in swelling during pregnancy Summary Swelling of the ankles and feet is fairly common. You may experience this swelling for a variety of reasons. Sometimes swelling may occur because of trauma or an injury. You may have swollen ankles and feet because of arthritis or certain medical conditions. Pregnant women may experience foot and ankle swelling as well. Other people may have swollen ankles and feet because of a blood clot or vein problems. 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