Swelling 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 an inflammatory process is present in the soft tissues of the joint. Naturally, such a pathological condition is accompanied by pain, deterioration of mobility.
Features of pathology
If a person has swelling of the ankle joint, the causes should be investigated 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 an injury, then a person, as a rule, does not have pain sensations.
In general, swelling of the ankle joint (its causes can be completely different) does not pose a danger to the he alth 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:
- Injuries: dislocations, sprains or ruptures of ligaments, displacement of bones, bruises, wounds or fractures.
- Varicose expansion of blood vessels. 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 the tissues of the joint.
- Gout. This disease is very common among men. Its peculiarity is that the swelling of the ankle joint (the causes of its development represent a more serious danger to human he alth) appears as a result of the inflammatory process caused by the deposition of uric acid s alts in the joints.
- Bursitis. Here the disease occurs due to the excessive production of synovial fluid that accumulates in the ankle.
- Cardiac diseases.
- Bacterial or viral soft tissue infection.
- Excessive body weight.
- Standing too long or placing too much stress on the joint.
- Taking some hormonal drugs.
- Blocking the function of the lymphatic system.
- Cirrhosis of the liver.
The cause of swelling and pain in the ankle joint must be determined as accurately as possible. Otherwise, the therapy may not have the desired effect.
Symptoms of pathology
So, the signs of the disease depend on the underlying cause. However, the following main signs of pathology can be distinguished:
- Pain in the affected area.
- Redness of the soft tissues surrounding the joint.
- Pulsing feeling.
- Increased temperature in the affected joint.
- Feeling of presence and fluctuation of fluid in the ankle.
First aid to the victim
If the causes of swelling of the ankle joint (erythema) are injury or too much stress, then you need to urgently call a doctor. Before 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 apply the anesthetic ointment "Voltaren".
In addition to swelling, the patient may have other symptoms in which you should immediately consult a doctor. This should be done if:
- Puffiness increases due to poor kidney or heart function.
- The affected area has become warm to the touch.
- Basal body temperature has risen.
- Puffiness suddenly appeared during pregnancy.
- Any home therapies did not help get rid of the pathology, and its manifestations only intensified.
Diagnosis of disease
When contacting a doctor, you need to tell him when the edema appeared, at what time of the day it intensifies,whether other symptoms are present. In addition, the patient is prescribed a whole range of instrumental studies:
- X-ray.
- ECG.
- MRI or CT.
- Ultrasound of a damaged joint.
In addition, the patient is given laboratory tests of urine and blood. You may need to consult an endocrinologist, cardiologist or other specialists.
How to get rid of the disease?
Treatment of swelling of the ankle joint 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:
- Diuretics: "Ketazon", "Benemid". They help reduce the amount of fluid in the body.
- Non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs: "Ibuprofen". They are prescribed if the edema is provoked by arthritis, arthrosis or other pathology that causes inflammation. In addition, the person is advised to stay in bed.
- Chondroprotectors: "Orthroflex", "Teraflex".
- Local anesthetics.
- Intra-articular injections of hormonal drugs that can quickly eliminate pain: "Hydrocortisone". They can only be used 1-2 times a year.
- Drugs to improve circulation in the affected joint.
In the case of inflammatory diseases, it may be necessary to remove a purulentcontents from the joint, as well as the use of antibiotics. The patient is also prescribed therapeutic massage, exercise therapy. However, all exercises and techniques should be performed very carefully so as not to harm even more. In particularly difficult cases, the patient is shown surgical intervention.
An important part of therapy is diet, as 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.
The following recipes will be useful:
- Decoction with 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. Take the medicine should be 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. The mixture should be infused for 3 weeks. The remedy is used as follows: 1 teaspoon 30 minutes before meals. This 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 woolen sock.
- Honey-vinegar mixture. The ingredients are taken in the same proportions - 1 teaspoon each.spoon. Next, 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.
Helpful tips
If a person periodically develops swelling of the ankle joint, the 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 for preventing the disease. It is important to follow these recommendations of experts:
- After a long walk, the leg should be allowed to rest. You need to lie down, and put your ankle on the pillow so that it is at a level above the heart.
- Give up a sedentary lifestyle. It is advisable to perform daily simple exercises that strengthen muscles and ligaments.
- Reduce the amount of s alt consumed, which only retains excess fluid in the body.
- Required to maintain normal body weight at all times.
- Choose underwear and clothes that will fix the ankle and thigh well. However, nothing should strongly squeeze the limb.
That's all the information about such a pathology as swelling of the ankle joint. The causes and treatment are now known to you. Stay he althy!
