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What Causes Swelling In The Right Ankle Of An 85-year-old?
Posted on
Sat, 22 Jul 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 22 Jul 2017
Answered on
Fri, 20 Dec 2024
Last reviewed on
Question : I have a right swollen ankle, and I just received all conditions from blood report were normal yesterday. Is this something I should be concerned about or use ice and elevate my leg. I am 85 years old.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I did look at the picture you sent - thank you.
When only one leg has swelling, unless it is already documented that there is some venous insufficiency in that leg as the cause, deep vein thrombosis needs to be ruled out.
With venous insufficiency, there is usually a recurring problem of swelling, and it doesn't typically suddenly happen one time. It is usually caused by stretched out valves in the veins. Usually elevating the leg will reduce the swelling if this is the problem.
With deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a clot forms in a deep vein (typically in the calf of one leg) and this causes swelling below it. It is very important to evaluate for a DVT if there is a possibility for it, as the clot can break off and cause serious or life threatening problems elsewhere.
I recommend calling the doctor on call or your own doctor, and discussing this. If not, go to the ER where they can order a Doppler exam of the leg to make sure it isn't a DVT.
I hope this information helps. If you are willing, please let me know how you are doing after you are evaluated.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I did look at the picture you sent - thank you.
When only one leg has swelling, unless it is already documented that there is some venous insufficiency in that leg as the cause, deep vein thrombosis needs to be ruled out.
With venous insufficiency, there is usually a recurring problem of swelling, and it doesn't typically suddenly happen one time. It is usually caused by stretched out valves in the veins. Usually elevating the leg will reduce the swelling if this is the problem.
With deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a clot forms in a deep vein (typically in the calf of one leg) and this causes swelling below it. It is very important to evaluate for a DVT if there is a possibility for it, as the clot can break off and cause serious or life threatening problems elsewhere.
I recommend calling the doctor on call or your own doctor, and discussing this. If not, go to the ER where they can order a Doppler exam of the leg to make sure it isn't a DVT.
I hope this information helps. If you are willing, please let me know how you are doing after you are evaluated.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
