Why Does Your Ankle Swell When it Is Sprained?

Ankle sprains are common injuries in which the ligaments or other tissues surrounding the ankle joints are stretched too far, which can cause acute pain and swelling. Swelling is caused by a fluid buildup around a sprain injury.

Cause

The fluid buildup around ankle sprains that leads to swelling is caused by internal bleeding around the damaged tissues. The body often responds to the irritation of injury by releasing more fluid into the area from surrounding tissues.

Purpose

Inflammation and swelling make joints stiff, which can help immobilize them and prevent further movement that may cause damage to already injured joints. The surrounding fluids can help create an environment suitable for healing damaged tissue.

Fluid Reduction

The body often swells up more than necessary in reaction to a bad injury, which may hamper healing and cause too much stiffness. Limiting blood flow through icing and compression can reduce fluid buildup.

Edema

Edema is swelling cause by fluid buildups in tissues other than injured joints. Ankle sprains may cause fluids to pool in the feet, causing swelling not only in the ankles but also in the feet.

Bruising

Severe ankle sprains are also likely to cause bruising, which are discolorations caused by blood building up outside the blood vessels.

References

• Info on swelling
• Info on ankle sprains

Who Can HelpSponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.