Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, particularly among older people.
Abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs is called peripheral edema.
Alternative NamesSwelling of the ankles - feet - legs; Ankle swelling; Foot swelling; Leg swelling; Edema - peripheral; Peripheral edema
ConsiderationsPainless swelling may affect both legs and may include the calves or even the thighs. Because of the effect of gravity, swelling is particularly noticeable in the lower part of the body.
Common CausesFoot, leg, and ankle swelling is common with the following situations:
Swollen legs may be a sign of heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure. In these conditions, there is too much fluid in the body.
Other conditions that can cause swelling to one or both legs include:
Certain medications may also cause your legs to swell:
Call 911 if:
Call your doctor right away if:
Also call your doctor if self care measures do not help or swelling worsens.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeYour doctor will take a medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination, with special attention to your heart, lungs, abdomen, legs, and feet.
Your doctor will ask questions like the following:
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:
The specific treatment will be directed at whatever underlying cause is found. Diuretics may be prescribed. These are effective in reducing the swelling but have some side effects. Home treatment for benign causes of leg swelling should be tried before drug therapy under medical supervision.
PreventionAvoid sitting or standing without moving for prolonged periods of time. When flying, stretch your legs often and get up to walk when possible. When driving, stop to stretch and walk every hour or so. Avoid wearing restrictive clothing or garters around your thighs. Exercise regularly. Lose weight if you need to.
ReferencesGoldman L. Approach to the patient with possible cardiovascular disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 48.
Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, especially among older people.
Abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs is called edema.
Alternative NamesSwelling of the ankles - feet - legs; Ankle swelling; Foot swelling; Leg swelling; Edema - peripheral; Peripheral edema
ConsiderationsPainless swelling may affect both legs and may include the calves or even the thighs. Because of the effect of gravity, swelling is particularly noticeable in the lower part of the body.
Common CausesFoot, leg, and ankle swelling is common with the following situations:
Injury or surgery involving the leg, ankle, or foot can cause swelling. Swelling may also occur after pelvic surgery, especially for cancer.
Long airplane flights or car rides, as well as standing for long periods of time, often lead to some swelling in the feet and ankles.
Swelling may occur in women who take estrogen or during parts of the menstrual cycle. Most women have some swelling during pregnancy. More severe swelling during pregnancy may be a sign of preeclampsia (also called toxemia), a serious condition that includes high blood pressure and swelling.
Swollen legs may be a sign of heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure. In these conditions, there is too much fluid in the body.
Certain medications may also cause your legs to swell:
Some tips that may help:
Never stop taking any medicines you think may be causing swelling without first talking to your doctor.
Call your health care provider ifCall 911 if:
Call your doctor right away if:
Also call your doctor if self-care measures do not help or swelling gets worse.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeYour doctor will take a medical history and do a thorough physical examination, paying special attention to your heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, legs, and feet.
Your doctor will ask questions like the following:
Diagnostic tests that may be done include the following:
The treatment will be aimed at the cause of the swelling. Diuretics may be prescribed to reduce the swelling, but they can have side effects. Home treatment for benign causes of leg swelling should be tried before drug therapy.
ReferencesFang JC, O'Gara PT. The physical examination: an evidence-based approach. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 12.
Goldman L. Approach to the patient with possible cardiovascular disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 48.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 05/29/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The ankle is the joint formed by the articulation of the lower leg bones with the talus. The ankle connects the foot with the leg.
ankle
The talocrural joint connects the foot with the leg. The bones that make up this joint are the talus, distal fibula, and distal tibia.
The ankle is the joint between the foot and the lower leg.
Foot swelling can be caused by a variety of illnesses and conditions. Diabetes, phlebitis, and a twisted ankle are some of the reasons. A doctor will need to evaluate and treat the foot swelling.
The leg bone
The tendon on the ankle is called the Peroneal tendon.
what is a leg joint calledthe second letter is a n do u get the hang now what do u think it is ,girls n boys
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It plantar flexes the foot at the ankle and flexes the leg at the knee.
You only have one ankle on each foot, but there are different bones that make up your ankle.
It sounds like edema. The following link will have some information pertaining to the above mentioned - you will want to have this checked as it can be the cause of an underlying condition. http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/Lower-leg-edema.htm http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/Foot-leg-and-ankle-swelling.htm