Swelling in the leg, ankle, or foot can be due to an injury, infection, heart failure, kidney disease, and other health conditions. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause.

It is important to contact a doctor if a person experiences frequent or persistent swelling. The doctor can determine the cause of the swelling and advise on a suitable treatment plan.

This article describes various causes of swollen legs and ankles and some of the treatment options.

Swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles is a common symptom of heart failure.

If the heart is unable to pump blood around the body effectively, fluid or water can build up, causing swelling known as edema.

Treatment

Heart failure has no cure, but self-care strategies and ongoing treatments can help manage the condition.

Treatment options include:

Many people with heart failure require ongoing support from a cardiologist.

The liver produces albumin, a protein that prevents fluid from leaking out of blood vessels and into surrounding tissues. A diseased liver does not produce enough albumin. As a result, fluid can pool in the legs, ankles, and feet.

Most people with liver disease have no symptoms until severe liver damage or cirrhosis develops.

Treatment

The only cure for severe liver damage cirrhosis is a liver transplant.

In the early stages, however, other treatments can help manage the condition. Treatments to help manage swelling due to liver disease include:

The kidney’s main role is to regulate the amount of water in the body and balance levels of salt and other minerals in the blood.

Severe damage to the kidneys can prevent them from filtering the blood effectively and excreting fluid and other waste through the urine. Advanced kidney disease can lead to a buildup of waste in the lower legs, feet, and ankles.

Treatment

The treatment for kidney disease depends on its cause.

The damage may result from a medical condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Doctors prescribe medications to manage these conditions and slow the rate of kidney disease.

In some cases, chronic kidney disease (CKD) progresses to kidney failure. At this stage, a person needs dialysis or a kidney transplant.

An injury to the foot or ankle could cause swelling in the foot, ankle, or lower leg. A common injury in this area is a sprained ankle.

This can result from a misstep when walking, playing sports, or working out. It happens when the ligaments that connect the ankle to the foot and leg are pulled out of alignment.

A sprained ankle can cause pain and limited mobility.

Treatment

The most common approach to foot or ankle injuries is the RICE method. RICE stands for:

  • Rest: Resting the affected ankle helps prevent further damage.
  • Ice: Applying ice or an ice pack wrapped in a towel helps numb the pain and reduce swelling. Apply it for 20 minutes at a time at least three times a day.
  • Compression: Wearing a compression bandage helps limit swelling.
  • Elevation: Elevating the foot or ankle above the level of the heart helps reduce swelling.

An infection in the feet, ankles, or lower legs can cause swelling in the area. Cellulitis is one type of skin infection that commonly affects the lower limbs.

People with diabetes have an increased risk of infection in their feet. It is important to inspect the feet regularly for bruising, cuts, and scrapes.

A person with diabetes and an untreated infection in a foot or leg may develop gangrene. Gangrene involves tissues dying as a result of severe infection or reduced blood supply.

Treatment

The treatment for a foot, ankle, or leg infection depends on its type and severity. If the infection is bacterial, a doctor tends to prescribe antibiotics.

If the infection has resulted in gangrene, surgery to remove the damaged area may be necessary.

Lymphedema involves excess fluid accumulating in tissues, causing swelling. It occurs when lymph nodes are damaged or have been removed.

The lymph nodes are glands that are part of the immune system, and they help remove fluid. If lymph nodes in the pelvis are damaged or absent, it can cause fluid to build up in the legs.

A person with lymphedema may have a feeling of heaviness or swelling in their legs or other affected areas.

Treatment

Treatment options for lymphedema include:

  • bandaging the affected leg
  • wearing compression stockings
  • massaging the lymph nodes to encourage drainage
  • performing gentle exercises to encourage drainage
  • caring for the skin to reduce the risk of infection and associated lymphedema

The veins in the legs contain valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. Venous insufficiency involves these valves not functioning effectively. As a result, the veins no longer transport enough blood to the heart.

When a person has venous insufficiency, blood becomes trapped in the soft tissues of the lower legs, ankles, and feet, causing swelling. A person may also have:

  • skin ulcers
  • changes in skin color
  • infection

Treatment

The treatment for venous insufficiency aims to restore healthy blood flow. This may involve:

  • elevating the legs
  • getting more regular exercise
  • wearing compression stockings

A doctor may also recommend medication. The type will depend on the severity of the venous insufficiency and the person’s overall health.

A blood clot in a leg can cause the ankle and leg to swell.

There are two main types of blood clots, both of which can cause swelling. Phlebitis, or superficial thrombophlebitis, happens due to a blood clot in a vein closer to the surface of the skin.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs in a vein deeper within the body, usually in a vein in the leg.

A person needs immediate medical attention if they have any of these symptoms of a blood clot:

  • swelling and pain in one leg
  • a heavy ache in the leg
  • an area of warm skin on the leg
  • an area of red or flushed skin behind and below the knee
  • a change in the color of the leg
  • a low fever

Sometimes, a piece of the clot breaks loose and travels to the heart, lungs, or brain. This can be life threatening without treatment.

The risk of a blood clot is highest for people who:

  • are pregnant
  • are immobile due to surgery or hospitalization for another reason
  • have obesity
  • are older adults

Treatment

Oral anticoagulants are the primary treatment for blood clots. These medications help prevent clots from getting bigger and help prevent new clots from forming.

Warfarin is the most common oral anticoagulant. Other oral medications include:

However, the high cost of these medications can limit access to them.

Some medications can cause a person’s ankles or legs to swell. Examples of these include types of:

  • hormone therapy
  • contraceptive pills
  • steroids
  • blood pressure medications
  • antidepressants

Treatment

Contact a doctor about any side effects of medication. They may lower the dosage or recommend a different drug. Always receive the approval of a doctor before stopping a treatment.

It is common for some foot, ankle, and leg swelling to occur during pregnancy. This can be worse at the end of the day, as well as further into the pregnancy.

Sudden or severe swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet can be a sign of preeclampsia — a sudden rise in blood pressure that can be dangerous for the pregnant person and their fetus.

Other signs and symptoms of preeclampsia include:

It is crucial to let a healthcare professional know about these and any other symptoms during pregnancy. Preeclampsia subsides after delivery.

Treatment

Various measures can help manage swelling during pregnancy. These include:

  • wearing shoes and socks that are not too tight
  • getting enough regular physical activity or exercise
  • resting the feet as much as possible
  • avoiding standing for long periods

Older adults are more likely to have chronic venous insufficiency and CKD. Both often lead to swelling in the lower extremities.

Chronic venous insufficiency is more common in people over the age of 55 years. A person is more likely to develop CKD from the age of 60 years.

Also, from the age of 40 years onward, a person has an increased risk of developing DVT.

Contact a healthcare professional if sudden or unexplained swelling develops in one or both legs, ankles, or feet.

A person should also seek medical advice if they experience swelling accompanied by:

A doctor can help diagnose the cause, and advise on suitable treatments to reduce swelling and address the underlying condition.

In some cases, self-care strategies can help prevent or relieve swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet. These include:

  • getting enough regular physical activity or exercise
  • keeping the feet elevated when resting
  • wearing comfortable shoes that do not pinch the feet
  • avoiding standing for long periods of time
  • contacting a doctor for advice about ay dietary changes that may help, such as following a low salt diet

Swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles can be due to conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, lymphedema, and venous insufficiency. A blood clot, injury, or infection can also cause swelling.

Pregnancy, older age, and taking certain medications may also increase the risk of swelling.

It is not always possible to prevent swelling. However, exercising regularly, keeping the feet elevated, and protecting the legs from injuries can help.

A person should contact a doctor as soon as they experience swelling. They can help diagnose the underlying cause, and advise on a suitable treatment plan.