Edema of the ankle joint (the causes of the development of the pathology will be described later) is a real problem for some people. It means that in the soft tissues of the joint there is an inflammatory process. Naturally, this pathological condition is accompanied by pain, impaired mobility.
Pathology Features
If a person has edema of the ankle joint, the causes should be clarified first. Only in this case the treatment will be effective. The disease is characterized by the accumulation of a large amount of fluid in the specified joint. However, if it does not appear due to trauma, then a person usually does not have pain.
Basically, ankle edema (its causes can be completely different) does not pose a threat to the health and life of the patient and is more common in older people. However, there are cases when a doctor’s consultation is mandatory. Sometimes the patient may not suspect what caused such a pathological condition.
Why does the disease develop?
If the ankle joints swell, the reasons may be as follows:
- Injuries: dislocations, sprains or tears of ligaments, displacement of bones, bruises, wounds or fractures.
- Varicose veins. In this case, the tone of the venous walls is lost, the pressure in them becomes greater, blood circulation is disturbed.
- Arthritis. This is an inflammatory pathology of the joints, characterized by swelling and pain.
- Arthrosis This chronic pathology is accompanied by degeneration of joint tissues.
- Gout. This disease is very common among men. Its peculiarity is that ankle edema (the causes of its development pose 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 occurs due to the excessive production of synovial fluid, which accumulates in the ankle.
- Cardiological diseases.
- Bacterial or viral infection of soft tissues.
- Excessive body weight.
- Prolonged standing or too much load on the joint.
- Taking some hormonal drugs.
- Blocking the function of the lymphatic system.
- Cirrhosis of the liver.
The cause of edema and pain in the ankle joint should be determined as accurately as possible. Otherwise, therapy may not have the desired effect.
Symptoms of pathology
So, the signs of the disease depend on what reason lies at its basis. However, we can distinguish the following main signs of pathology:
- Pain in the affected area.
- Redness of the soft tissues surrounding the joint.
- Sensation of ripple.
- An increase in temperature in the affected joint.
- Feeling of fluid presence and fluctuation in the ankle.
First aid to the injured
If the causes of edema of the ankle joint (erythema) are traumatized or too heavy, 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 a cold compress should be put on the ankle. To eliminate pain, you can use the pain medication Voltaren.
In addition to edema, the patient may have other symptoms, in which you should immediately consult a doctor. This should be done if:
- Swelling increases due to poor functioning of the kidneys or heart.
- The affected area became warm to the touch.
- Basal body temperature rose.
- Swelling abruptly appeared during pregnancy.
- Any home treatment methods did not help get rid of the pathology, and its manifestations only intensified.
Diagnosis of the disease
When contacting a doctor, it is necessary to tell him when the swelling appeared, what time of day it intensifies, whether other symptoms are present. In addition, the patient is assigned a whole range of instrumental studies:
- Roentgenography.
- ECG.
- MRI or CT.
- Ultrasound of the damaged joint.
In addition, the patient undergoes laboratory tests of urine and blood. Consultation with an endocrinologist, cardiologist or other specialists may be necessary.
How to get rid of a disease?
The treatment of ankle edema and the causes of its development should be determined by a specialist. Self-diagnosis can only aggravate the patient's condition.
Drug treatment involves the use of such drugs:
- Diuretic drugs: Ketasone, Benemid. They help reduce the amount of fluid in the body.
- Non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs: Ibuprofen. They are prescribed if the swelling is provoked by arthritis, arthrosis or other pathology that causes inflammation. In addition, a person is recommended to observe bed rest.
- Chondroprotectors: Ortroflex, Teraflex.
- Local painkillers.
- Intra-articular injection of hormonal drugs that can quickly eliminate pain: "Hydrocortisone." They can be used only 1-2 times a year.
- 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 therapeutic massage, exercise therapy. However, all exercises and techniques should be performed very carefully so as not to harm even more. In especially complex cases, the patient is shown surgical intervention.
An important part of therapy is diet, since 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 causes (treatment with folk remedies also gives a good effect) must be eliminated. If you remove only the symptoms, then soon they will return with a vengeance.
Such recipes will be useful:
- Decoction with the use of flax seeds. It takes 4 large spoons to steam with a liter of boiling water, leave for about 60 minutes (preferably in a dark place) and strain. It is necessary to take medicine 150 ml up to 8 times a day.
- Tincture of birch buds. It will take 20 g of dried raw materials and 100 ml of alcohol. Infuse the mixture for 3 weeks. The product is used as follows: 1 teaspoon 30 minutes before a meal. Such a medicine allows you to speed up the metabolic processes in the body.
- Compress of burdock leaves. The plant must be thoroughly crushed and mixed to a viscous liquid. Next, the mixture is smeared on the damaged ankle and covered with fleece. You can also wear a warm wool sock.
- Honey-vinegar mixture. Ingredients are taken in equal proportions - 1 teaspoon each. Then the mixture is dissolved in a glass of warm water and taken three times a day. The course of therapy should not exceed 3 weeks.
Useful Tips
If a person periodically develops ankle joint edema, causes, treatment of pathology - this is the information that must be studied in order to be able to fight the disease. Naturally, you also need to know the rules of disease prevention. It is important to follow these recommendations of specialists:
- After a long walk, the foot should be allowed to rest. You need to lie down, and put the ankle on a pillow so that it is at a level above the heart.
- Refuse sedentary lifestyle. It is advisable to perform simple gymnastics daily, strengthening muscles and ligamentous apparatus.
- Reduce the amount of salt consumed, which only retains excess fluid in the body.
- It is required to constantly maintain a normal body weight.
- Choose such underwear and clothing that will fix the ankle and thigh well. However, nothing should squeeze a limb strongly.
That's all the information about such a pathology as swelling of the ankle joint. The reasons for the treatment are now known to you. Be healthy!