Why Foot and Ankle Swelling Happens to Different People

Have you felt your shoes suddenly being too tight, or noticed your socks leaving deep indentations around your ankles? Foot and ankle swelling (aka edema) is a common issue that we see at  My Chicago Foot Expert, but the reasons behind it can vary quite a bit depending on your circumstances. Let’s explore a few hypothetical scenarios to understand why different people might experience this puffiness in their lower extremities.

The Busy Teacher on Her Feet All Day

An elementary school teacher spends most of the day on her feet, and by the time she gets home, she notices her ankles and feet look a little puffy. Why? The primary culprit is likely gravity and prolonged standing. When you’re upright for extended periods, gravity can pull fluid down into your legs and feet.

Her calf muscles might also become fatigued, especially if she’s not moving around enough to engage them effectively. This leads to a mild accumulation of fluid in the tissues of her lower legs and feet.

The Avid Hiker

After a particularly challenging hike with steep inclines and uneven terrain, a hiker notices his ankle is a bit swollen and tender. In his case, the swelling is likely due to a minor soft tissue injury or overuse.

The strenuous activity might have caused tiny tears in ligaments or tendons around his ankle and triggered the body’s natural inflammatory response. This response involves fluid rushing to the area to aid in healing and results in localized swelling. If the swelling is accompanied by significant pain or bruising, it could mean a more serious sprain that requires medical attention.

The Pregnant Mother

Imagine a mom in her second trimester. She’s noticed her ankles and feet have started to swell towards the end of the day. For her, the swelling is a common occurrence during pregnancy due to increased blood volume, hormonal changes that can make blood vessels more permeable, and the growing uterus putting pressure on the veins in her pelvis, which can impede blood flow back from her legs.

The Senior Gentleman Managing His Health

A senior man has high blood pressure, and he’s recently noticed more persistent swelling in his feet and ankles. For him, the swelling could be a sign of a few things. It could be related to age-related changes in his circulatory system because his veins don’t efficiently return blood to his heart. It could also be a side effect of one of his medications for blood pressure management.

Swelling in both legs can sometimes indicate underlying conditions like heart failure or kidney issues, so it’s important for this senior to discuss this new symptom with a trusted physician.

For any questions about foot health and wellness, reach out to the tenured staff at My Chicago Foot Expert by calling (773) 561-8100 or by clicking here to schedule an appointment with Cook County podiatrist Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, in our modern, comfortable Ravenswood office today.