“How can I treat ankle swelling?”
My ankle is swollen. How can I treat ankle swelling?
8 Answers
ChiropractorPodiatrist
Ankle swelling is often a symptom of an underlying injury or condition. To treat ankle swelling it's important to undergo an exam from a healthcare provider to determine what exactly is causing the build up of excess fluid. Generally ice can help decrease ankle swelling, but cold therapy has actually been shown to delay the healing process which has the ability to prolong swelling.
To treat ankle swelling, follow the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation for the first few days, and consider gentle exercises and lifestyle adjustments to promote healing and reduce swelling.
It depends on the cause of the ankle swelling. Sometimes there may have been trauma. Some instances, the swelling is caused by vascular issues, issues with your kidneys, or other organ systems. It is best to get checked out by your physician to determine the cause prior to trying to treat the swelling
Treatment for Ankle Swelling:
Rest: Avoid putting weight on the affected ankle to prevent further strain.
Ice: Apply an ice pack (wrapped in a cloth) for 15-20 minutes every 1-2 hours to reduce swelling and pain.
Compression: Use an elastic bandage or compression wrap to support the ankle and minimize swelling.
Elevation: Keep the ankle raised above heart level as much as possible to reduce fluid buildup.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Consider taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain and inflammation (if no allergies or contraindications).
When to Seek Medical Attention:
If swelling persists for more than a few days.
If there’s severe pain, inability to walk, or signs of infection (redness, warmth, fever).
Let me know if you need further assistance!
Rest: Avoid putting weight on the affected ankle to prevent further strain.
Ice: Apply an ice pack (wrapped in a cloth) for 15-20 minutes every 1-2 hours to reduce swelling and pain.
Compression: Use an elastic bandage or compression wrap to support the ankle and minimize swelling.
Elevation: Keep the ankle raised above heart level as much as possible to reduce fluid buildup.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Consider taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain and inflammation (if no allergies or contraindications).
When to Seek Medical Attention:
If swelling persists for more than a few days.
If there’s severe pain, inability to walk, or signs of infection (redness, warmth, fever).
Let me know if you need further assistance!
Try and wrap a cold compress on your ankle for about 10 minutes. It's important to figure out why your ankle is swelling up. Did you twist it?
Ankle swelling can be caused by many different conditions. It can be as basic as diet such as salt or can be secondary to injury, inflammation or some type systemic health issue such as congestive heart failure or high blood pressure. Recommend to get ankle evaluated by a physician. Jonathan M. Kletz, DPM Texas Foot WorksDallas, Athens and Gun Barrel City Texas214-340-8885
Start with rest, ice and elevation. I recommend you make an appointment with a foot and ankle surgeon (podiatrist) to get a diagnosis of why you have swelling.
Swelling can be due to many different causes. If you have generalized swelling to both legs that could be from a systemic condition which would need a work up. Treatment would be dependent on the condition. Example if it’s due to a heart issue or diabetes you would need to make sure this is treated by your PCP. Things you could do is make sure you’re elevating your legs when sitting for long periods of time. You can wear compression stockings. These could be a little uncomfortable make sure you put them on at the beginning of your day, it’s easier to put on. Also make sure your salt intake is low in your diet. Hope this helps!
