What Causes Persistent Swelling, Redness And Pain In The Ankle?

Posted on Fri, 12 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 12 Feb 2016 Answered on

Tue, 19 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had a badly swollen ankle for 1 week now. It was red and painful. I got multiple IV's of antibiotic since, and orally 4x per day....I had crutches, then the walking boot, and now the swelling is down to the point where I can now walk...not great but ok....I went to the gym tonight to ride the bike (obviously I cant run yet)....this was the first time I could see both legs without pants....not only is the ankle swollen, so is the leg! The infectious disease guy says it is a trauma caused this....the podiatrists says it is an infection! Now they want to MRI the foot...I have multiple visits, multiple bills, no root cause, and as of now, still a very tenuous situation.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It can be infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and I think that if swelling is coming to leg and ankle then chances of infection are high. Before I advised you any further I would like to know some more details of the illness.
1.How did it started? Do you had a fall or twisting of foot?
2.Do you have Diabetes or thyroid problem?
3.Please send me image of your foot.
Please answer these questions. I will try my best to help you.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (7 hours later)

no idea how it started....I ran the morning it came in ....no trauma or fall...

no diabetes....no thyroid issues

foot picture attached...

by the way, this happened the same about 10 weeks ago and went away in a day... after the first 2-3 pills....so after 55 years of nothing, now I have this twice in 10 weeks...

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I can not see your foot picture

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
After studying your case I think that there is chances that you may be having ankle synovitis. In this condition there is collection of fluid in ankle joint. It is mostly due to trauma such as jogging or twisting of ankle. I do not think there is infection. I would suggest you to get MRI of the ankle and confirm if there is any synovitis of the ankle. You will need following treatment.
1.Ankle support splint or anklet.
2.Do not stand for long time or jog for six weeks.
3.Tablet Bruten 400 mg twice daily.
I hope these steps will be helpful.Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 hours later)

But what explains the entire left leg swollen? The same thing?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
swelling can extend up to leg

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Yes, if there is any synovitis in ankle with effusion then it can extend in leg. There is a slight possibility of blood clot in veins as well. I would recommend you to get MRI that will confirm the diagnosis. Meanwhile you can continue medications.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar