Why does my ankles swell?

Ankle swelling: There can be many reasons for ankle swelling. This also depends if it is on one side or both. Causes may include arthritis or past trauma to area. Ligament or tendon issues can also occur. Lastly it is important to rule out any systemic issues that can also cause swelling. Bottom line: you should seek medical care to have this condition evaluated.

Venous Insufficiency: Most edema (swelling) of the ankles is caused by the accumulation of serous (no red blood cells) fluid from the failure of the superfici al veins' valves. When these valves fail the calf muscles are unable to pump all of the fluid in the arteries back to the heart. When pressing the area for more than 30 seconds with your index finger a dell may form. Other causes of ankle edema are infection, .