Ankle swelling can be caused by a number of different injuries, medications, and health conditions. To enjoy proper treatment, proper diagnosis is needed.

1. Pain in the Ankles – the Causes
A kind of pain or discomfort in the ankles should not be taken for granted. For all you know,
it may be caused by a serious condition, which may lead to more severe health problems if not
attended to early enough.
The Common Causes
Ankle pain is commonly caused by an injury or trauma directed to the joints, supporting
structures, and surrounding tissues of the ankle. Injury and inflammation can cause pain from
mild to severe, depending on how grave they are. Some types of swelling may either be acute,
recurring, or chronic, depending on the conditions that actually brought it. If not treated, the
pain can be felt when walking, flexing, rotating, or even extending the ankles.
Another common cause of pain in the ankle is staying in a standing or sitting position for long
period of time. Immobility may induce gravity to allow fluids to accumulate in the foot and
legs. Those who have varicose veins are also at higher risk of experiencing swelling and pain
in the ankles.
Medications and Other Health Conditions
There are many other answers to the question what causes ankles to swell? Apart from injury,
inflammation, and gravity, some medical treatments and health conditions may also generate
ankle pain.
Calcium channel blockers, steroids, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, and
some antidepressant drugs may cause swelling on the ankle. Check if this condition is part of
the side effects of the medication you are taking to be sure.
Pregnancy is also a known cause of ankle swelling. The weight of the baby inside the womb
may cause pressure in the pelvic organs and blood vessels. In some cases, ankle swelling may
also be a sign of preeclampsia. That’s why swelling of the ankle during pregnancy should not
be taken for granted and be brought to a doctor’s attention immediately.
Some health conditions including arthritis, heart failure, hypothyroidism, and Rosai-Dorfman
Disease may also lead to ankle swelling. It can be a sign that those conditions exist. That’s
why ankle swelling must not be presupposed as a simple discomfort. For all you know, you
might already have a serious or severe illness that is being represented by just the pain you
felt in your ankles.
Facts about Treatment
Treatment considerations for ankle swelling vary, depending on the root cause of the
condition. It is important, therefore, that your condition is diagnosed properly to be give the
suitable therapy or medication that you need to reduce the pain and discomfort.