Swollen feet and ankles can occur as a result of various conditions involving the local extremities besides the systemic conditions, which involve diseases and conditions that tend to affect the entire body. Localized processes like injuries and infections tend to lead to swollen feet and ankles only on the involved side. This swelling only on one side is often due to sprains or strains. Sometimes diseases that tend to affect the entire body, like heart disease and kidney or liver failure, can lead to excess fluid buildup, known as edema, which is often concentrated in the legs and feet. This may lead to swelling of the ankles as well as of the feet and lower legs.
Swollen feet and ankles can also occur with obstruction of the venous system. This tends to occur with pregnancy and obesity. Besides, the diseases of the joints, like arthritis, can also affect the joints of the ankle as well as foot, resulting in the swelling of the involved areas. Hence, any treatment for swollen feet and ankles will depend on the particular cause, but anti-inflammatory medications are used in order to manage the pain which is associated with strains as well as sprains.
The causes of swollen feet and ankles include ankle pain and tendinitis, besides arthritis or bug bites and stings. Other causes include bumps and bruises. Besides, burns (first aid) as well as cellulitis. Cirrhosis (liver), besides congestive heart failure and deep vein thrombosis and fracture are the other causes.
Swollen feet and ankles can also be due to gout, kidney failure or due to obesity. osteomyelitis or pseudogout, or rheumatoid arthritis. The other causes include scleroderma, besides sprains and strains as well as vasculitis.
There are a few other causes of swollen feet and ankles too, which include abrasion, blister, besides Cor Pulmonale as well as Glomerulonephritis and joint infection. Liver failure besides lymphatic insufficiency is the other cause.