Other accompanying symptoms
A unilateral swollen ankle can have many accompanying symptoms that vary depending on the cause of the swelling. The swelling itself can occur suddenly or over a longer period of time and develop at different rates. The swelling is often a sign of an inflammatory reaction of the body caused by the activation of the immune system.
This also causes reddening of the area, as well as pain and overheating. Furthermore, the foot is often restricted in its movement due to the swelling. If a unilateral swollen ankle is accompanied by pain, this is often a sign of an acute cause, such as after a fall or an insect bite.
Pain should be considered whether it occurs at rest or when the foot is moving. Pain in a swollen ankle that occurs at rest can occur, for example, when the joint is inflamed, as in gout. On the other hand, pain that occurs during movement is more likely to be an indication of acute overloading of the joint or the surrounding area, such as tendonitis.
If a unilateral swollen ankle occurs without pain, there are several possible causes. If the swelling occurs mainly in the evening, it can be a late injury to the ankle. If the joint is strained during the day, it reacts in the evening with a swelling that can be quite painless.
However, a painless swelling can also be an indication of a tumor. These are often harmless tumors, such as an accumulation of fatty tissue. This is also called a lipoma and can be removed in a small, uncomplicated procedure.
Therapy
The treatment of a unilateral swollen ankle depends on the underlying cause. In many cases, the swelling can already be relieved by cooling the swollen area, e.g. with a cold pack or compress. In this case, there is usually an inflammatory reaction of the body, for example an insect bite or a mild sprain.
Cooling can also be helpful in the case of an allergic reaction. Depending on the type of allergy, so-called antihistamines should also be taken. After an accident, cooling can also help.
Here, however, it should be additionally clarified whether, for example, a fracture is present. If the swelling is the result of a disease of the veins, for example varicose veins, it is helpful to elevate the leg. This promotes the return flow of blood from the leg.
A compression stocking can also be helpful. For other vascular diseases, such as thrombosis, a doctor should be consulted and anticoagulation, i.e. therapy to prevent the formation of blood clots, should be administered. This topic might also be of interest to you:
- Compression bandage
There are several home remedies that can help with an unilateral swollen ankle.
In general, it is usually a good idea to cool the swelling with the help of an ice pack or wet cloth. Quark cheese, for example in the form of a quark wrap, can also relieve the swelling. If there is an insect bite, it can also help if an onion is placed on the area of the bite.
Depending on the cause, putting the leg with the swollen ankle up can also help to reduce the swelling. Various homeopathic remedies can help with an unilateral swollen ankle. These include arnica or horse chestnut extract.
These remedies help against swelling by promoting the removal of fluid that has accumulated in the area of the ankle. Aloe vera can also be helpful in the case of an unilaterally swollen ankle, as it has a decongestant and cooling effect. Camphor can also be helpful in cases where the blood circulation is disturbed, which leads to swelling. It also has a pain-relieving effect.
