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Swollen ankles are common in seniors but can be experienced by anyone of any age. It often occurs when you’ve been walking or standing for a long time. Putting your feet up at the end of a long day can help, and the problem often vanishes after a good night’s sleep.
But what happens if your ankles swell for no apparent reason? Or if they swell up after a long day but the problem doesn’t resolve after rest? Those are the times when worry might kick in.
Understanding what causes swollen ankles can help, as can knowing what medical conditions might cause it. WebMD reports that while swollen ankles are quite common among the elderly, they usually aren’t a cause for concern unless the problem shows up with other symptoms.1 Swollen ankles might also indicate there is a health issue if they don’t get better in a matter of hours or days.
Before diving into the reasons why your ankles and feet might swell, keep in mind that any trouble with your lower extremities might increase your risk of falls. Swollen ankles might bring discomfort, numbness, or even pain, all of which make it tough to move around safely. That’s where an emergency button alert should come into play. If you suffer a fall, having medical alert technology at your fingertips – especially a medical alert system with fall detection – can ensure you get any help you may need, right when you need it.
Why Do Ankles Swell?
Swelling of the ankles and feet is called edema. It usually happens on both sides of the body, but in some conditions, only one side will swell. Those who live a sedentary lifestyle or who are recovering from surgery are much more likely to develop swelling of the lower extremities. According to Mount Sinai, swelling is more common among seniors, those who are overweight, or those who sit for long periods of time, such as during a long flight or road trip.2
There can be underlying causes that lead to swelling. Here are some of the most common.
Injuries
When you suffer an injury of your foot, ankle, or lower leg, you probably expect that the area will swell. This one is no mystery – the damage done to a ligament, muscle, or joint can lead to swelling and significant pain. Your range of motion might be very limited, making it difficult or impossible to walk or even to bear weight on the injured leg. The most common problem is a sprained ankle, which is the result of a ligament that has been stretched too far.
To treat the problem, start with a visit to the doctor. They will want to run a few tests to rule out more serious injuries, such as a broken bone. You will likely be prescribed some pain medication and rest.
To reduce the swelling, keep your foot elevated on an ottoman, stool, or pillow. Wrapping it with a compression bandage can ease the pain. Ice packs can also help reduce the swelling. Take it easy when you do start to move around again, as it’s very easy to suffer a repeat injury.
Infections
Just as with injuries, infections might seem to be an obvious problem – but if you have diabetic neuropathy, an infection could catch you by surprise. Neuropathy often affects the feet and can leave them feeling numb, which means you might have a nasty scrape or cut and not realize it until an infection sets in.
On the other hand, for some seniors, neuropathy can lead to aching and sharp, shooting pains. That sort of constant discomfort can make you think the pain of an infection is just another related problem and so you might not get the assistance you need as quickly as you should.
To prevent this problem, pay close attention to your feet. If you notice any redness, marks, bruises, cuts, or anything else that indicates an injury and infection, talk to your doctor right away. An infection can spread very quickly and you might need antibiotics or other interventions to clear it up. Even if it appears as just a small spot of swelling or redness, get checked out anyway.
Lymphedema
According to the Mayo Clinic, lymphedema occurs when protein-rich fluid that is normally drained by the body’s lymphatic system begins to back up into the body. That fluid usually travels along the vessels and capillaries, then gets filtered through the lymph nodes. Those lymph nodes capture the bacteria and destroy it before it can do any damage to the body.3
The problem arises when the drainage is blocked. This is rather common among cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy, radiation, or other treatments, or had surgery to remove some lymph nodes. But it can also happen to those who don’t seem to have any underlying problems at all. It is not uncommon for lymphedema in the lower body to show up on only one side, such as a swelling of your left leg while the other leg looks just fine.
To treat the problem, start by talking to your doctor. They will need to uncover the reason for your lymphedema so they can then prescribe the appropriate treatments. This might range from compression garments to getting more rest to taking certain medications or even treatment of a more severe underlying condition.
Venous Insufficiency
This is more common among seniors and is a warning sign that your body is not moving blood properly from the veins to the heart. The arteries pump blood throughout the body and the veins carry the blood back to the heart to receive more oxygen. These one-way valves in the arteries and veins usually work seamlessly.
But as we get older, the valves become weak or might be damaged. This means that the blood flow is compromised. Rather than pumping strongly back up to the heart, the blood can flow back down the vessels. This creates excess fluid in the body, which is then retained by the small vessels in the legs, ankles, and feet.
The result is swelling of the lower extremities. About one in 20 adults has this condition, which gets worse and more common with age. If the problem is ongoing, it can lead to changes in the skin, infections, ulcers, and more. You might even notice progressive darkening of the skin around your ankles and feet as tiny capillaries burst and lead to even more leakage of blood.
There are many treatments available for the problem, including specific medications, medicated wraps for your legs, or non-invasive procedures that close problem veins and force the blood to flow through healthier veins. Very few people need surgery for this, but that is an option for advanced cases.
Blood Clots
When a blood clot forms in the veins of the leg, it can restrict blood flow and lead to swelling. Blood clots might be superficial, which means they are small and in a vein just below the surface of the skin. Or they might be deeper in the leg and in a larger vein. This is known as deep vein thrombosis.
Some tell-tale signs of a blood clot include pain and swelling in one leg, a low-grade fever, and changes in the color of the affected leg. If you notice any of these signs, call the doctor immediately. Blood clots can be deadly if they are not caught and treated in time.
Treatment for blood clots might include surgical intervention, blood thinners, and administration of clot-busting medications. If the blood clot travels to the lungs and heart, this becomes an immediate, life-threatening emergency.
If you experience anything that appears to be a blood clot in the legs or severe pain in your chest and shortness of breath, get help right away. This is the time to use a personal alarm button, if you have one – and if you don’t have one, now is the time to get one. The peace of mind is worth the affordable price.
Diseases of the Heart, Liver, or Kidneys
Sometimes swelling of the ankles has nothing to do with the ankles and feet at all. Instead, it’s where the retained water, salt, and other substances settle in your body. The swelling indicates something bigger happening, such as congestive heart failure, advanced kidney disease, or liver disease.
For instance, right-sided heart failure can lead to retaining water in the body. Due to the effects of gravity, that water settles in the ankles and feet. The same is true of kidney problems – as the kidneys have more trouble draining the body of toxins, fluid builds up and settles in the lower legs.
Liver disease can often affect albumin, a protein that keeps the blood from leaking out of the blood vessels. When there isn’t enough albumin in the body, fluid can leak from the vessels into the tissues. In this case, the swelling in the legs might be in addition to swelling in the abdomen or even the chest.
In many cases, you will already know you have these conditions before the swelling begins. Given that, you might be accustomed to the swelling – but if you notice the swelling is accompanied by shortness of breath, loss of appetite, weight gain, and serious fatigue, get in touch with your doctor right away. You might need a different treatment.
Side Effects of Medication
Many common medications have side effects that can lead to swelling of the ankles and feet. Some blood pressure medications, especially calcium channel blockers, can lead to swelling. So can antidepressants and some diabetes medications.
Another common culprit is steroids, which are notorious for creating swelling throughout the body as they work to relieve whatever they were prescribed to treat. Even some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Advil or Motrin, can lead to significant swelling for some people, especially with long-term use.
To treat this problem, talk to your doctor about other medications you could switch to that will have less of an effect on your legs and feet. In some cases, even if the medication can’t be safely changed, there are other medications – such as diuretics – that can be prescribed to combat the side effects and lessen the swelling.
Make Some Lifestyle Changes
If you have edema in the ankles and feet, there are some lifestyle changes that might curb the condition. Try these home remedies to ease the discomfort (with your doctor’s approval, of course).
· Wear compression stockings or leggings to help the blood move freely back to the heart.
· Elevator your legs whenever you can to allow gravity to pull the fluid back to where it should be.
· Stay hydrated! Dehydration can cause your body to hold onto whatever fluid it has.
· Eat foods that are rich in magnesium, such as nuts, whole grains, and leafy greens.
· Avoid too much salt and carbohydrates in your diet.
· Move and flex your knees, ankles, and feet quite often.
· Avoid sitting or standing in one place for too long.
· Indulge in 15-20 minute Epsom salt baths.
· If you are overweight, work to lose the extra pounds.
As you work to manage edema, always have a medical alert bracelet or wristband with you. If you suffer a medical emergency or fall, you can reach out for help right away. And the sooner you get help for a serious injury, the more likely you are to see a good medical outcome.
