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How To Reduce Swelling In Foot While On Walking Cast For Broken Ankle?
I broke my ankle in February and have been in a removable cast for almost 12 weeks. I m now in a walking cast and can move around easily. Unfortunately, I have a lot of swelling in my foot no matter what I do. I try ice and elevation, but the swelling is constant. If I bend my toes up or bend my ankle, the color in my foot goes from normal to white. My doctor just says elevate and ice , but that doesn t really help.
posted on
Fri, 15 May 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 7 Jan 2022
Answered on
Tue, 8 Feb 2022
Last reviewed on
Hello,
It can be a local inflammatory swelling induced by prolonged immobilization in a plaster cast. In most cases it will settle by itself with limb elevation. You can apply soft bandages while walking, avoid the limbs to hang down for long. Anti-inflammatory drugs like seratiopeptdase can also be tried if indicated. If symptoms persists you may require additional investigations like an ultrasound for further assessment.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Shinas Hussain, General & Family Physician
It can be a local inflammatory swelling induced by prolonged immobilization in a plaster cast. In most cases it will settle by itself with limb elevation. You can apply soft bandages while walking, avoid the limbs to hang down for long. Anti-inflammatory drugs like seratiopeptdase can also be tried if indicated. If symptoms persists you may require additional investigations like an ultrasound for further assessment.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Shinas Hussain, General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful
Hello,
Your doctor is right in saying that you should elevate your ankle and also use ice. I am sorry about the swelling you are facing. In my opinion, the swelling does not subside suddenly. It will go away gradually. I would suggest you to do walking as and when you can, so that there is some movement of your legs and the blood circulation improves, and the swelling disappears. Do this along with elevation and ice. It should help you.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Shanthi E., General & Family Physician
Your doctor is right in saying that you should elevate your ankle and also use ice. I am sorry about the swelling you are facing. In my opinion, the swelling does not subside suddenly. It will go away gradually. I would suggest you to do walking as and when you can, so that there is some movement of your legs and the blood circulation improves, and the swelling disappears. Do this along with elevation and ice. It should help you.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Shanthi E., General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful
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