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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Swelling In The Feet And Ankles?

My feet and ankles swell up a lot; skin gets very tight over the area making bending my feet to walk and climb stairs very painful. I have consulted doctors who have ruled out gout, diabetes. I am healthy female, 74yrs, 5 7 , 145lbs. Eat healthy, don t get enough exercise. Don t drink. Take my vitamins--Bs, D, C,E,K, Co-Q10, magnesium, tumeric (helping), levothyroxin, metoprolol. Thank you, Panchita
posted on Wed, 12 Jul 2017
Twitter Thu, 20 Jul 2017 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 20 Jul 2017 Last reviewed on
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi and welcome.
Venous insufficiency. Hi and welcome. Thank you for your query.Well, if you dont recall injury then swelling of the ankles and feet is often an early symptom of venous insufficiency, a condition in which blood inadequately moves up the veins from the legs and feet up to the heart. Normally, the veins keep blood flowing upward with one-way valves. When these valves become damaged or weakened, the blood leaks back down the vessels and fluid is retained in the soft tissue of the lower legs, especially the ankles and feet. Chronic venous insufficiency can lead to skin changes, skin ulcers, and infection. You should treat this with elastic stockings, keeping leg elevated and in severe cases you should see vascular surgeon for further treatment.

Wish you good health. Regards
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What Causes Swelling In The Feet And Ankles?

Hi and welcome. Venous insufficiency. Hi and welcome. Thank you for your query.Well, if you dont recall injury then swelling of the ankles and feet is often an early symptom of venous insufficiency, a condition in which blood inadequately moves up the veins from the legs and feet up to the heart. Normally, the veins keep blood flowing upward with one-way valves. When these valves become damaged or weakened, the blood leaks back down the vessels and fluid is retained in the soft tissue of the lower legs, especially the ankles and feet. Chronic venous insufficiency can lead to skin changes, skin ulcers, and infection. You should treat this with elastic stockings, keeping leg elevated and in severe cases you should see vascular surgeon for further treatment. Wish you good health. Regards