Bone marrow edema: how to recognize it in time?

• Why does swelling occur?
• Types of edema
• Diagnostics
• Diseases
• Treatment
• Our doctors

Swelling of the leg in the ankle is not a separate disease, but a clinical manifestation of it. The underlying disorder, which causes fluid to accumulate within the soft tissues of the lower extremities, may progress insidiously. Swelling of the ankles occurs in people of different genders and ages. Children should make an appointment with a pediatrician, adults should visit a therapist. The type of doctor who will treat the patient in the future depends on the type of pathology identified.

Causes

When the legs swell at the ankles, the cause of the condition may be related to factors such as:

• Pregnancy.
• Having excess weight.
• Increased permeability of blood vessels.
• Chaotic use of medications (antidepressants, hormonal drugs).
• Impaired drainage of lymphatic fluid from tissues.

Other factors that cause swelling of the ankles are significant physical activity, wearing uncomfortable shoes, and the presence of a purulent tumor on the lower limb. The symptom also occurs against the background of increased blood pressure.

Read also: Swollen legs: causes and treatment

Gout

In 50% of cases, ankle problems arise due to specific diseases. Along with sprains and injuries, metabolic pathologies lead to problems with fluid removal. Inflammation of the big toe can be caused by a high concentration of uric acid in the blood. Instead of leaving with urine, it transforms into crystals and is deposited on the cartilage, causing swelling.

Arthritis

The disease is accompanied by a catarrhal process throughout the body, caused by infections, abnormalities in the immune system or metabolic disorders. With rare exceptions, arthritis of various etiologies develops in people of pre-retirement age.

• The cause may be psoriatic arthritis. It affects the fingers and toes; due to excess fluid in the tissues, it provokes an increase in volume.
• Septic is caused by the ingress of etiological agents - Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, gram-negative and positive aerobes, fungi.
• Swelling and long-term catarrhal process provoke rheumatoid arthritis. This is an autoimmune disease when healthy cells are affected due to failures in the defense system.

Anomalies of this kind include ankylosing spondylitis and systemic scleroderma. They are accompanied by specific symptoms inherent in each of them.

Treatment

Depends on the type of violation detected. In 90% of cases, the pathological condition that caused swelling of the ankles is eliminated conservatively. For this use:

1. Medicinal influence. If a patient has swollen legs at the ankles, he is prescribed diuretics (Furosemide, Lasix) and rutin, a vitamin that strengthens the walls of the veins. If problems with heart activity are detected, Veroshpiron or its analogues are prescribed. When the root cause of swelling of the legs is inflammation of the joints, the patient is advised to administer Diclofenac, chondroprotectors (Glucosamine, Chondroitin), and hormonal agents.
2. Massage. Manual treatment is aimed at restoring blood supply to the lower extremities.
3. Nutrition correction. Salty, spicy, sour, fatty, fried foods and dishes should be excluded from the diet, and water balance should be limited. Drinking coffee and alcohol is strictly contraindicated.
4. Physiotherapeutic procedures. Aimed at reducing swelling, restoring mobility, reducing pain, and relieving inflammation.

It is also necessary to avoid using excessively tight, uncomfortable shoes; avoid excessive stress on the ankle joints.

Depending on the nature of the identified disorder, therapy is carried out in a hospital department or on an outpatient basis.

Dear patients! Remember that only a qualified doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, determine the causes and nature of the disease, and prescribe effective treatment. You can make an appointment with our specialists or call a doctor at home by calling 8-(4822)-33-00-33

Be healthy and happy!

How to get rid of ankle swelling?

, joint pain usually appears

Excess fluid accumulates in soft tissues and nearby muscles. The outflow of lymph and blood, especially venous, is disrupted. A person limits his movements in order to experience less discomfort. Although swelling is not always accompanied by pain. Sometimes it is only noticeable due to swelling in the joint area. The nature of the manifestation can be diffuse or local.

But in any case, examination cannot be avoided. The patient is sent for an x-ray, an ultrasound of soft tissues is performed, and an MRI of the joint is taken. Laboratory tests and diagnostic puncture will help determine the cause of the disease. If the situation is advanced, arthroscopy is mandatory. As part of this study, doctors drain the cavity of the affected joint.

Briefly about treatment

Two specialists will help you deal with excess swelling:

1. Rheumatologist;
2. Traumatologist-orthopedist.

They prescribe medication. The drugs eliminate pain and discomfort, inflammation and bacterial infection. Taking medications is combined with physiotherapy. Such procedures are designed to speed up the rehabilitation and restoration of joint function.

Why does the ankle joint swell?

This is not the only place prone to swelling. Soft tissues swell just below the knees, less often in the hip area. This is because it is in these places that the largest joints of the lower extremities are located. The knees and ankles bear a large load not only when moving, but also in static poses. When a joint becomes inflamed or injured, swelling most often occurs.

There are external and internal factors in the development of the disease. Soft tissues swell most often due to arthritis. Inflammatory and immune genesis of the joint leads to degeneration and ossification of cartilage tissue. There are several types of arthritis:

1. Psoriatic. If psoriasis affects the toes, swelling occurs in the ankle area.
2. Rheumatoid. A systemic autoimmune disease affects connective tissue. Pathological changes first affect small joints.
3. Septic. Swelling occurs after an ankle injury and subsequent infection of the open cavity.

In addition to arthritis, other diseases that cause swelling are:

1. Gout. Uric acid salts accumulate in the soft tissues, causing swelling. While walking, a sharp pain pierces the affected area.
2. Bursitis. The synovial bursae become inflamed. The volume of exudate in the cavities increases noticeably.
3. Plantar fasciitis. Inflamed connective tissue leads to swelling of the lower extremities.
4. Elephantiasis. The functioning of the lymphatic system is disrupted.
5. Problems with blood circulation. Lead to peripheral edema.
6. Excess body weight. We are talking about stage 4 obesity.
7. Soft tissue infection. The provocateurs are pathogenic microbes and viruses.

Swelling also occurs as a result of mechanical damage: dislocation, bruise, sprain, fracture.

How to cure the disease?

The goal of therapy is to improve blood circulation, increase the tone of veins, remove excess fluid from tissues, and reduce vascular permeability. If there was a fracture, you need to treat the wounds and compare the bone fragments.

Comprehensive treatment includes drug therapy and other treatment methods. The patient must follow a regimen, change his diet, and limit the load on the ankle. To relieve inflammation, doctors prescribe non-steroidal drugs, and analgesics to relieve pain. Treatment is impossible without antibacterial drugs. Sometimes it is impossible to do without hormonal therapy. Patients take vitamins. In exceptional cases, periarticular blockades and intra-articular injections of corticosteroids are performed.

Other treatment methods (carried out after taking medications) include:

1. Physiotherapy;
2. Massage;
3. Therapeutic gymnastics;
4. Sanitary resort treatment.

Author: K.M.N., Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences M.A. Bobyr

Symptoms of edema

Pain and swelling in the ankle joint occurs in both active and sedentary people. If the cause is injury, painful sensations will immediately make themselves felt, intensifying when trying to move the injured limb. If the swelling of the joint is not associated with mechanical damage, then the pain will intensify every day.

In general, the symptoms are presented:

• pain in the foot when flexing and extending;
• rapid pulsation in the affected area;
• hematomas, redness, pallor or cyanosis (in severe cases);
• increased body temperature;
• swelling, which may periodically decrease or intensify;
• general weakness.

Clinical manifestations will help the doctor determine the causes of ankle swelling and choose treatment tactics.

Folk remedies

When the ankle joint swells, what should you do if you can’t see a doctor? Effective alternative medicine will come in handy.

Herbal infusion

Recommended for restoring water-salt balance in case of liver problems.

1. Mix dry herbs: 20 g of adonis (preferably spring harvest), 20 g of celandine, 30 g of horsetail, 30 g of yarrow.
2. 2 tbsp. Pour 1 liter of boiling water into this mixture and leave to brew for 45 minutes.
3. Drink 30 minutes before meals ½ tbsp.

Flax seed infusion

Promotes proper kidney function and restoration of blood flow.

1. Pour 4 tbsp into a large container. l. seeds, pour boiling water.
2. Place in a dark place, leaving for 2 hours.
3. Filter, take 150 ml 6-8 times a day.

Ice pack

Its regular use helps relieve swelling.

1. Brew dried sage and chamomile inflorescences, cool, filter.
2. Pour into an ice container and place in the freezer for several hours.
3. Keep the cold compress on the foot for no more than 15 minutes.

Infusion of birch buds

The product must be prepared in advance, 21 days before use. Accelerates metabolic processes and helps cleanse the body.

1. Pour 20 g of dried buds into 100 ml of alcohol.
2. Leave to infuse in a dry place away from sunlight.
3. Take 1 tsp orally. every day 30 minutes before meals.

Burdock (potato) compress

If your ankle joint is swollen, the following recipe will help.

1. Chop fresh burdock leaves or potato tubers and grind until smooth.
2. Apply the mixture to the damaged area, secure on top with a wool sock.

Honey and vinegar

Designed for internal use.

1. Dissolve 1 tsp in 200 ml of warm water. honey and vinegar.
2. Drink the solution 3 times a day for 3 weeks or until swelling disappears.

Herbal baths

Used to treat tumors of the ankle joint. It is best done before bed, as such procedures not only help relieve swelling, but also improve the quality of sleep.

1. Fill a large container with warm water, add dried herbs (linden, St. John's wort, birch buds, coltsfoot, etc.)
2. Keep the injured leg in the solution for 15-30 minutes.

Diet for edema

If there is swelling of the ankle joint, it is necessary to increase the consumption of foods that remove fluid and prevent its stagnation. Among them:

• cucumbers, eggplants, beets, pumpkin, carrots, seaweed;
• watermelon, melon, apples, grapes, lemons;
• low-fat dairy and fermented milk products;
• greens (spinach, onion, dill, parsley);
• eggs;
• honey;
• herbal teas (with lemon balm, oregano, rose hips, lingonberries).

Prohibited dishes and products:

• salty, spicy, fatty, fried, smoked;
• alcoholic and carbonated drinks;
• fatty sauces (mayonnaise, tartar);
• semi-finished meat products;
• canned fish;
• fatty dairy and fermented milk products;
• sweets and baked goods;
• citrus;
• fast food, chips, nuts, crackers with flavoring additives;
• kvass, coffee, strong tea.

Sample menu:

1. For breakfast, you can cook porridge in water or light vegetable soups.
2. For lunch, it is recommended to eat rabbit or low-fat fish with lettuce.
3. For dinner it is better to eat fermented milk products and berries.

Treatment of edema at the MedinUa medical center

If you want to get professional medical care in Dnepr, contact the Clinic of Progressive Orthopedics and Traumatology named after. Academician Loskutov. Unlike ordinary government agencies, we provide European-style services. For us, every patient is a family member who needs our support.

Advantages of the center Academician Loskutov:

• affordable prices;
• sterile cleanliness and comfortable rooms;
• availability of a laboratory on the clinic premises;
• use of modern treatment methods (conservative and surgical);
• operating rehabilitation department;
• refund of the cost of treatment if you are not satisfied with the result;
• guarantee of confidentiality of each patient;
• the latest equipment for diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.

In addition, only experienced specialists work at the MedinUa clinic. All the chief doctors of the center studied and worked abroad in clinics in Europe and the USA. Be confident in our professionalism - contact the center named after. Loskutova right now!

Important! The article was written based on the recommendations of doctors related to this profile.

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