What Causes Swelling On Calf While Recovering From Sprained Ankles?

Posted on Tue, 4 Aug 2015

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

Tue, 4 Aug 2015 Answered on

Wed, 26 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I asked a question about 45 minutes ago. No response. None the less, I went to an urgent care about 8 days ago with a badly sprained ankle. I did the ice and rest and now I am able to put some weight on it and walk a little. My issue now is that I find that as the day goes on I find that my leg up to my calf swells and I can feel a lot of pressure.
What can I do and why is this happening.
along with the sprain I also had a few bruises, black and blues.
Look forward to your response.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Tissue oedema

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

Thanks for the query.

Since you have sprained your ankle, it means that you have damaged or overstretched some of the ligaments in the able that contribute to ankle stability.

Now that your calf swells up and you feel pressie it is because of the tissue oedema that has accumulated.

I suggest you keep your foot elevated over a couple of pillows. Flex your ankles up and down as this will help drain the excess fluid to the heart.

Continue ice over the able but got water bag on the area of stiffening calf muscles as this helps to loosen tissue fluid and facilitate it's drainage to the heart and provide relief.

Take Brufen as you are for a couple of more days. Keep well hydrated. Wear a crepe bandage around your for and able to help with stability. Avoid compete weight bearing for 2 weeks.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Thanking you.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj