Ankle swelling: causes and characteristics of treatment

Swelling of the ankle (the causes of the pathology will be described later) is a real problem for some people. It means that there is an inflammatory process in the soft tissues of the articulation. Naturally, this pathological condition is accompanied by painful sensations, impairment of mobility.

Features of pathology

If a person develops swelling of the ankle, the reasons should be clarified in the first place. Only in this case the treatment will be effective. The disease is characterized by the accumulation of a large amount of fluid in the indicated articulation. However, if it does not appear due to trauma, then the person usually has no pain.

Basically, the swelling of the ankle joint (its causes can be completely different) does not pose a threat to the health and life of the patient and is more common in the elderly. However, there are cases when a doctor's consultation is mandatory. Sometimes a patient may not even suspect what caused this pathological condition.

Why does the disease develop?

If swelling of the ankles swells, the reasons can be:

• Injuries: dislocations, sprains or ruptures of ligaments, bone dislocations, bruises, wounds or fractures.
• Varicose veins. In this case, the tone of the venous walls is lost, the pressure in them becomes larger, the blood circulation is disturbed.
• Arthritis. This is an inflammatory pathology of the joints, characterized by swelling and pain.
• Osteoarthritis. This chronic pathology is accompanied by degeneration of the joint tissues.
• Gout. This disease is very common among men. Its peculiarity is that the swelling of the ankle joint (the reasons for its development represent a more serious danger to human health) appears due to the inflammatory process caused by the deposition of uric acid salts in the joints.
• Bursitis. Here the disease arises from the excessive production of synovial fluid, which accumulates in the ankle.
• Cardiological diseases.
• Bacterial or viral infection of soft tissues.
• Excessive body weight.
• Long standing in the standing position or too much load on the joint.
• Acceptance of some hormonal drugs.
• Blocking the function of the lymphatic system.
• Cirrhosis of the liver.

The cause of swelling and pain in the ankle should be determined as accurately as possible. Otherwise, therapy may not have the desired effect.

Symptomatology of pathology

So, the signs of the disease depend on what the reason lies in its basis. However, we can distinguish such basic signs of pathology:

1. Pain in the affected area.
2. Redness of soft tissues surrounding the joint.
3. Sensation of pulsation.
4. Increased temperature in the affected joint.
5. Feeling of having and fluctuating fluid in the ankle.

First aid for the victim

If the causes of swelling of the ankle joint (erythema) consist in his injury or too much work, it is urgent to call a doctor. Prior to his arrival, the victim can be given first aid.

First of all, the injured limb should be immobilized, and put a cold compress on the ankle. To eliminate pain, you can apply an anesthetic ointment Voltaren.

In addition to swelling, the patient may have other symptoms, which should immediately call a doctor. This should be done if:

• Puffiness is aggravated by poor functioning of the kidneys or heart.
• The affected area has become warm to the touch.
• The basal body temperature rose.
• Puffiness abruptly appeared during pregnancy.
• Any home therapies did not help get rid of the pathology, and its manifestations only intensified.

Diagnosis of the disease

During treatment, the doctor should tell him when there was swelling, at what time of day he is getting worse, if there are other symptoms. In addition, the patient is assigned a whole range of instrumental studies:

1. Radiography.
2. ECG.
3. MRI or CT scan.
4. Ultrasound of the damaged joint.

In addition, the patient gives laboratory tests of urine and blood. It may be necessary to consult an endocrinologist, cardiologist or other specialists.

How to get rid of the disease?

Treatment of the swelling of the ankle joint and the reasons for its development should be determined by a specialist. Self-diagnosis can only aggravate the patient's condition.

Medicamental treatment involves the use of such drugs:

1. Diuretics: "Ketazon", "Benedom". They help reduce the amount of fluid in the body.
2. Non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs: "Ibuprofen". They are prescribed if the edema is caused by arthritis, arthrosis or other pathology that causes inflammation. In addition, a person is recommended to comply with bed rest.
3. Chondroprotectors: Ortroflex, Teraflex.
4. Local anesthetics.
5. Intra-articular injections of hormonal drugs that can quickly eliminate pain: "Hydrocortisone." They can be used only 1-2 times a year.
6. Medicines to improve blood circulation in the affected joint.

In the case of inflammatory diseases, it may be necessary to remove purulent contents from the joint, as well as the use of antibiotics. Also, the patient is prescribed a therapeutic massage, exercise therapy. However, all exercises and techniques should be carried out very carefully, so as not to harm even more. In particularly difficult cases, the patient is shown surgical intervention.

An important part of therapy is diet, as the patient needs to establish metabolic processes in the body.

Folk remedies in the treatment of edema

If the patient has swelling of the ankle joint, the reasons (treatment with folk remedies, too, gives a good effect) must be eliminated. If you remove only the symptoms, they will soon return with a vengeance.

Useful will be such recipes:

• Decoction with the use of flax seeds. It takes 4 large spoons to steam with a liter of boiling water, insist about 60 minutes (preferably in a dark place) and strain. Take the drug should be 150 ml to 8 times a day.
• Tincture of birch buds. It will take 20 grams of dried raw materials and 100 ml of alcohol. Infuse the mixture for 3 weeks. Apply the remedy as follows: 1 teaspoon 30 minutes before eating. Such a medicine allows you to accelerate metabolic processes in the body.
• Compress of burdock leaves. The plant must be crushed thoroughly and mixed to a viscous liquid. Next, the mixture is spread on the damaged ankle and covered with fleece. You can also wear a warm woolen sock.
• Honey-vinegar mixture. Ingredients are taken in the same proportions - 1 teaspoonful. Then the mixture dissolves in a glass of warm water and is taken three times a day. The course of therapy should not exceed 3 weeks.

Useful recommendations

If a person periodically swollen an ankle joint, the causes, treatment of pathology - this is information that must be studied in order to be able to fight the disease. Naturally, one must also know the rules of disease prevention. It is important to follow such recommendations of specialists:

1. After a long walk, the foot should be allowed to rest. It is necessary to lie down, and put an ankle on the pillow so that it is at a level above the heart.
2. Give up a sedentary lifestyle. It is desirable to perform daily uncomplicated gymnastics, strengthening muscles and ligament apparatus.
3. Reduce the amount of salt consumed, which only delays excess fluid in the body.
4. It is required to maintain a normal body weight at all times.
5. Pick up such clothes and clothes, which will be good to fix the ankle and thigh. However, there is absolutely nothing to squeeze the limb.

That's all the information about this pathology, like swelling of the ankle joint. Causes, treatment, you are now known. Be healthy!