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What Causes Swelling In Ankle And Foot?
Question: In September 2013 my left foot became swollen. (I think it was due to walking for a whole day in very flat shoes that were a little too large for my feet; my right foot is slightly larger than my left, so it wasn’t affected. There was no acute injury or moment of pain, so I thought my feet were just a bit sore but my left foot proceeded to swell after that day. It was quite swollen for a month.) I saw a podiatrist who suggested I see a physician and get compression socks, but he made no diagnosis. Shortly after, I went to see a sports medicine doctor for his opinion. He ordered an x-ray, which came back normal. The foot was slightly limited in plantarflexion, but caused me no pain to walk on. This doctor said it was called “boggy foot,” and prescribed physiotherapy, which I followed up with. The physiotherapist prescribed rest, elevation, self-massage, and ice; already the swelling had gone down considerably by the time I sought therapy, and I followed the physiotherapy regimen for a while. By December, 4 months after the injury, the swelling was greatly reduced and the physiotherapy seemed to be making no further progress; I left it to time to heal.
It is now 10 months later, and there is still residual swelling along the top of my foot, and sometimes my ankle becomes slightly swollen too, usually at the end of the day. It is not painful and doesn’t alter my mobility. On plantarflexion, there is a ‘tight’ sensation across the top of my foot, like the tendons there are pulled too tightly.
It seems like a minor complaint, so I haven’t gone to see a physician (I have no family doctor) due to wait times at clinics here, and the hassle. I also worry about investing that time to be told it’s too minor to bother with. So, I’d love to know if this is the normal healing time for a soft tissue injury of this nature, or if further attention is necessary—and, if it is necessary, what type of doctor I should see and what test(s) I should ask for.
(I’m 27, f, nonsmoker, moderately active.)
It is now 10 months later, and there is still residual swelling along the top of my foot, and sometimes my ankle becomes slightly swollen too, usually at the end of the day. It is not painful and doesn’t alter my mobility. On plantarflexion, there is a ‘tight’ sensation across the top of my foot, like the tendons there are pulled too tightly.
It seems like a minor complaint, so I haven’t gone to see a physician (I have no family doctor) due to wait times at clinics here, and the hassle. I also worry about investing that time to be told it’s too minor to bother with. So, I’d love to know if this is the normal healing time for a soft tissue injury of this nature, or if further attention is necessary—and, if it is necessary, what type of doctor I should see and what test(s) I should ask for.
(I’m 27, f, nonsmoker, moderately active.)
Brief Answer:
One has to rule out a DVT in your case.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX ! Good morning. I am Dr Shareef answering your query.
If I were your doctor, I would advise you to go for a Doppler ultrasound of both lower limbs to exclude a deep vein thrombosis, which could give rise to such symptoms and signs as described by you. Sometimes prolonged walk or stress on the veins of the lower limb could give rise to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the leg veins. This is specially so, if by any chance in case you are on any hormonal pills. If it comes out positive on the Doppler, I would refer you to a vascular surgeon in association with a physician to treat the DVT which could prove to be highly risky at times. Therefore I would advise you to consult your family physician at your earliest.
I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts.
Thanks for choosing health care magic to clear doubts on your health problems. Wishing you an early recovery. Dr Shareef.
One has to rule out a DVT in your case.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX ! Good morning. I am Dr Shareef answering your query.
If I were your doctor, I would advise you to go for a Doppler ultrasound of both lower limbs to exclude a deep vein thrombosis, which could give rise to such symptoms and signs as described by you. Sometimes prolonged walk or stress on the veins of the lower limb could give rise to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the leg veins. This is specially so, if by any chance in case you are on any hormonal pills. If it comes out positive on the Doppler, I would refer you to a vascular surgeon in association with a physician to treat the DVT which could prove to be highly risky at times. Therefore I would advise you to consult your family physician at your earliest.
I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts.
Thanks for choosing health care magic to clear doubts on your health problems. Wishing you an early recovery. Dr Shareef.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for the prompt response!
I am on no hormone pills, and none of the 3 doctors I saw suggested DVT. I will follow-up to rule this out just in case, but am curious about differential diagnoses you might make.
Thank you!
I am on no hormone pills, and none of the 3 doctors I saw suggested DVT. I will follow-up to rule this out just in case, but am curious about differential diagnoses you might make.
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
DVT is the most possible diagnosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi ! Nice to listen from you so soon.
With the history of excessive walk and persistent swelling of your leg with some discomfort, and the swelling persisting so long, I am unable to think of any other differential diagnosis like a muscle tear or some kind of muscle sprain. In any case you could give a try to some anti inflammatory drugs with a proton pump inhibitor, along with compression stockings which you used.
In any case, I would like to advise you to get yourself re assessed by your treating doctor/vascular surgeon along with the investigation reports for further management of the problem.
I would like to have the follow up report of the results of re assessment and investigation reports pointing to a diagnosis or other.
Wishing you an early recovery. Thanks.
Dr Shareef.
DVT is the most possible diagnosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi ! Nice to listen from you so soon.
With the history of excessive walk and persistent swelling of your leg with some discomfort, and the swelling persisting so long, I am unable to think of any other differential diagnosis like a muscle tear or some kind of muscle sprain. In any case you could give a try to some anti inflammatory drugs with a proton pump inhibitor, along with compression stockings which you used.
In any case, I would like to advise you to get yourself re assessed by your treating doctor/vascular surgeon along with the investigation reports for further management of the problem.
I would like to have the follow up report of the results of re assessment and investigation reports pointing to a diagnosis or other.
Wishing you an early recovery. Thanks.
Dr Shareef.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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