Why Do I Have Swollen Ankles Or Feet?

Introduction

Swollen ankles or feet can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions, ranging from musculoskeletal issues to systemic diseases. Understanding the potential causes is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Key Insights

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Related Conditions:
- Swelling in the ankles and feet can be a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, often associated with tender and chronic swelling limited to the synovium of the ankle joint.
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) can also cause ankle swelling, primarily due to tenosynovitis, with a significant number of cases showing medial ankle tenosynovitis.
Musculoskeletal and Anatomical Causes:
- The presence of an Accessory Soleus Muscle (ASM) can cause swelling in the ankle, particularly in young individuals who engage in physical exercise.
- Stress fractures, often due to prolonged use of glucocorticoids or other risk factors like impaired renal function, can lead to painful and swollen ankles.
Vascular Issues:
- Pseudo-aneurysms, particularly of the anterior tibial artery, can cause significant ankle swelling and pain following sports injuries. These vascular injuries are rare but can be limb-threatening if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Infections and Inflammatory Conditions:
- Erythema nodosum, an inflammatory condition, can present with painful swelling of the ankles, accompanied by erythema and fever.
- Infections such as influenza can also lead to bilateral ankle swelling, as seen in a case of a young girl with reduced oral intake and fever.

Conclusion

Swollen ankles or feet can result from a variety of causes, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, anatomical anomalies like the Accessory Soleus Muscle, stress fractures, vascular injuries, inflammatory conditions like erythema nodosum, and infections. Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment, and it often requires a thorough clinical examination and appropriate imaging studies.

Summary

Not a yes or no question

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Oedema of Feet and Ankles in Rhumatoid Arthritis

"Swollen Ankle" Due to the Presence of Accessory Soleus Muscle - Case Report.

Pseudo-aneurysm of the anterior tibial artery, a rare cause of ankle swelling following a sports injury

Young Girl With Swollen Wrists and Ankles.

The management of the acutely swollen ankle.

Ankle Disease in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Ultrasound Findings in Clinically Swollen Ankles

Just a painful swelling of the ankles?

[Painful and swollen ankles: no arthritis].

Celiac disease manifested by polyneuropathy and swollen ankles.

THU0162 Residual synovitis in ankles and feet detected by ultrasonography in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

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