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Foot, Leg, and Ankle Swelling
Alternate Names : Ankle Swelling, Edema - Peripheral, Peripheral Edema, Foot Swelling, Leg Swelling, Swelling of the Ankles - Feet - Legs
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Foot, Leg, and Ankle Swelling: Common Causes
Foot, leg, and ankle swelling is common with the following situations:
- Prolonged standing
- Long airplane flights or automobile rides
- Menstrual periods (for some women)
- Pregnancy -- excessive swelling may be a sign of pre-eclampsia (a serious condition that includes high blood pressure and swelling; sometimes called toxemia)
- Being overweight
- Increased age
- Injury or trauma to your ankle or foot
Swelling of the legs may be a sign of heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure. In each of these conditions, there is too much fluid in your body.
Other conditions that can cause swelling to one or both legs include:
- Blood clot
- Infection of the leg
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Venous insufficiency (when the veins in your legs are unable to adequately pump blood back to the heart)
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Varicose veins
- Burns including sunburn
- Insect bite or sting
- Starvation or malnutrition
- Surgery to your leg or foot
Certain medications may also cause your legs to swell:
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Hormones like estrogen (in birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy) and testosterone
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A group of blood pressure lowering drugs called calcium channel blockers (especially nifedipine, but also amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, and verapamil)
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Steroids
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Certain antidepressants, namely MAO inhibitors (such as phenelzine and tranylcypromine) and tricyclics (including nortriptyline, desipramine, and amitriptyline)
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Jump to another section
• Definition
• Foot, Leg, and Ankle Swelling: Overview & Considerations
• Foot, Leg, and Ankle Swelling: Common Causes
• Foot, Leg, and Ankle Swelling: Home Care & Treatment
• Foot, Leg, and Ankle Swelling: Prevention
• Call your Health Care Provider if
• What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office
• Pictures & Images
Review Date : 9/21/2003
Reviewed By : Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston, Ma., and Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by David Webner, M.D., Department of Family Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/23/2003).
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