Swollen ankles and swollen hands/fingers
The simultaneous swelling of ankles and joints of the hands can occur in various diseases. For example, such a symptomatology occasionally occurs in the context of an allergic reaction or in so-called “reactive arthritis“. The latter is caused by an excessive immune response of the body to an infection of the gastrointestinal tract or urinary tract and usually lasts only a few days to weeks.
The situation is similar with “rheumatic fever“: an infection caused by streptococci can cause swelling of various joints such as the wrists, fingers and ankles, as well as fever and heart disorders. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common diseases in the elderly with long-lasting swelling of the ankles and fingers. It is mainly caused by an overreaction of the immune system at an advanced age.
Those affected suffer from swelling and pain in several joints, mainly the hands and fingers are affected, but ankles, knees or cervical spine can also swell painfully. Since all the above-mentioned diseases can have serious consequences, prolonged swelling of the fingers, hands and ankles should be clarified by a doctor.
