Foot, leg, and ankle swelling: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, especially among older people.
Abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs can cause swelling. This fluid buildup and swelling is called edema.
Painless swelling may affect both legs and may include the calves or even the thighs. The effect of gravity makes the swelling most noticeable in the lower part of your body.
Foot, leg, and ankle swelling is common when the person also:
Is overweight
Has a
Is older
Has a leg infection
Has
veins in the legs that cannot properly circulate blood
back to the heart (called venous insufficiency, most often due to varicose veins)
Injury or surgery involving the leg, ankle, or foot can also cause swelling. Swelling may also occur after pelvic surgery, especially for cancer.
Long airplane flights or car rides, as well as standing for long periods of time, often lead to some swelling in the feet and ankles.
Swelling may occur in women who take estrogen, or during parts of the menstrual cycle. Most women have some swelling during pregnancy. More severe swelling during pregnancy may be a sign of
, a serious condition that includes high blood pressure and significant swelling.
Swollen legs may be a sign of
,
, or
. In these conditions, there is too much fluid in the body, and it collects in the legs.
Certain medicines may also cause your legs to swell. Some of these are:
Antidepressants, including MAO inhibitors and tricyclics
Blood pressure medicines called calcium channel blockers
Hormones, such as estrogen (in birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy) and testosterone
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Steroids
Some tips that may help reduce swelling:
Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down.
Exercise your legs. This helps pump fluid from your legs back to your heart.
Follow a
, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling.
Wear
(sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores).
When traveling, take breaks often to stand up and move around.
Avoid wearing tight clothing or garters around your thighs.
Lose weight if you need to.
Never stop taking any medicines you think may be causing swelling without first talking to your health care provider.
Call 911 or the local emergency number if:
You feel short of breath.
You have
, especially if it feels like pressure or tightness.
Contact your provider right away if:
You have
or kidney disease and the swelling gets worse.
You have a history of
and now have swelling in your legs or abdomen.
Your swollen foot or leg is red or warm to the touch.
You have a
.
You are pregnant and have more than just mild swelling or have a sudden increase in swelling.
You have new or worsened swelling in only one leg.
Also contact your provider if self-care measures do not help or swelling gets worse.
Your provider will take a medical history and do a thorough physical examination, paying special attention to your heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, legs, and feet.
Your provider will ask questions such as:
What body parts swell? Your ankles, feet, legs? Above the knee or below?
Do you have swelling at all times or is it worse in the morning or evening?
What makes your swelling better?
What makes your swelling worse?
Does the swelling get better when you raise your legs?
Have you had
in your legs or lungs?
Have you had varicose veins?
What other symptoms do you have?
Diagnostic tests that may be done include:
Blood tests, such as a
(CBC) or
or
Doppler ultrasound examination
of your leg veins
(ECG)
Your treatment will focus on the cause of the swelling. Your provider may prescribe diuretic medicines to reduce the swelling, but these can have side effects. Home treatment for leg swelling that is not related to a serious medical condition usually should be tried before taking medicines for the swelling.
Swelling of the ankles - feet - legs; Ankle swelling; Foot swelling; Leg swelling; Edema - peripheral; Peripheral edema
Magee DJ, Manske RC. Lower leg, ankle, and foot. Magee DJ, Manske RC, eds. Orthopedic Physical Assessment. 7th ed. St Louis MO: Elsevier; 2021:chap 13.
Quick CRG, Biers SM, Arulampalam THA. Pathophysiology, clinical features and diagnosis of vascular disease affecting the limbs. In: Quick CRG, Biers SM, Arulampalam THA, eds. Essential Surgery: Problems, Diagnosis and Management. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 40.
Seller RH, Symons AB. Swelling of the legs. In: Seller RH, Symons AB, eds. Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 31.
Updated by: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.