How Do I Reduce the Swelling in My Ankle?

Swelling of the ankles is a condition that can affect anyone at any stage of life. Peripheral edema, which is an abnormal build-up of fluid, can cause the ankles to swell in people who stand or sit for prolonged periods of time. Some women experience swollen ankles during their menstrual period, and swelling of the ankles may indicate preeclampsia in pregnant women. The ankles can swell as a response to obesity, injury, trauma and exposure to certain medications.

Identification

• Identify the situation that is causing your ankles to swell. If the swelling is due to an outside stimulus such as a prescribed antidepressant or blood-pressure medication, contact your doctor to possibly adjust your prescription. If the cause of the swelling in your ankles is due to an injury or trauma, such as a sprain or pulled muscle, closely watch the status of the swelling as it may indicate a more serious injury that may require professional medical treatment.

Treatment

• As soon as possible after you notice swelling in your ankles, try to sit or recline with your ankle elevated above your heart. In the event of an injury, such as a sprain, applying hot or cold packs to the ankle for 20 minutes every two hours may help to reduce the swelling and alleviate pain due to inflammation. In some cases where the problem is fluid retention, lowering your salt intake may help reduce swelling in the ankles. Analgesics such as acetaminophen may help alleviate pain associated with injury to the ankle and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen may help to reduce swelling associated with inflammation.

Professional Care

• If you experience chest pain or shortness of breath in addition to sudden swelling of the ankles, contact emergency medical services immediately, as this may indicate a heart attack. Ankle swelling accompanied by a sudden decrease in urine or a fever is cause for concern and should be reported to your health-care provider as soon as possible. Pregnant women who experience more than mild ankle swelling should also consult their physician. If home-care methods fail to reduce the swelling in your ankles, or if the swelling gets worse, contact your physician.