Should I worry about my swollen ankle?

Why do I have a swollen ankle?

There are several different reasons people can have a swollen ankle,  I am specifically talking about swelling when someone has had an accident, like rolling the foot over, and has swelling in a balloon like area near the pain, this usually has some bruising near it.  This is opposed to a swollen ankle which goes from the calf all the way down into the foot which doesn’t relate to an incident.

The initial swelling is because blood vessels have snapped and before the body can stop it.  Imagine a pipe bursting and spraying liquid out. This can rapidly form a collection of blood under the skin, or a bruise.

Why does swelling carry on?

Swelling can persist for a very long time 6 weeks is the minimum that can be expected for a significant sprain but 14 weeks is not unusual at all.  This can be distressing for patients and I can understand why a swollen ankle for that long can suggest something serious.  Adverts for compression bandages, anti inflamatories and various other methods to reduce swelling claim the need to reduce swelling as soon as possible after injury.  This is not the case

Why is my swollen ankle reassuring?

I always use the analogy of the damage to your ankle (or other swollen joint) being like damage to your house.  If a wall fell over some builders would turn up with a ute, some tools and building supplies.  These things would take up space.  When the body is damaged it needs cells which do repairing, sugars, proteins and other nutrients.  These also take up space as the body tries to heal itself.

If you have pain and no swelling the body may not be trying to heal itself, a worrying situation, if you have swelling at least the body is trying to heal you. Now that healing needs encouraging and directing which is where physio comes in and at Pure Physio Albany we are keen to help.

It’s easy to get help from Pure Physio Albany?

Give us a call on 09 4481277 to sort an appointment or click here to book online we are located at Unit 4 Number 18, Airborne Road, Rosedale, Auckland 0632