Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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General health information

Swollen ankles or lower legs

Swollen ankles or lower legs usually result from fluid building up in the tissues. Heat, prolonged standing, veins or medicines may play a part, but swelling can also indicate a blood clot or a heart, kidney or liver condition. Sudden swelling in one leg particularly needs prompt assessment.

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  • Swollen ankles or lower legs are called oedema when fluid has built up in the tissues.
  • Gradual swelling in both legs that is worse at the end of the day often fits with heat, prolonged standing or poorly functioning vein valves, but this is not a certain diagnosis.
  • One leg that suddenly becomes swollen, painful, red or warm may have deep vein thrombosis or an infection and needs medical assessment the same day.
  • Swelling with breathlessness, chest pain, coughing up blood or fainting may be a pulmonary embolism. Call Ambulance 912.
  • Do not decide to drink more or less yourself, and do not take someone else's water tablets. The right approach depends on the cause.

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Further reading

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D
Deep vein thrombosis in the legDeep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a blood clot in a deep vein of the leg. One leg may become swollen, painful, warm or discoloured. Part of the clot can travel to the lungs and cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
C
Calf painCalf pain is often caused by muscle cramp or injury, but a painful, swollen, warm calf may indicate deep vein thrombosis. New breathlessness, chest pain or fainting may indicate a pulmonary embolism and requires immediate help.
V
Venous eczema of the lower legsEczema on swollen lower legs may develop because blood returns poorly through the veins. Skin itches, flakes and often changes colour around the ankles. Treatment addresses both skin and fluid build-up. A suddenly swollen, painful leg, rapidly spreading warm redness or a wound needs prompt assessment.