Differential Diagnosis for Swollen Ankles and Feet
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Dependent Edema: This is the most common cause of swollen ankles and feet, often due to prolonged standing, sitting, or gravitational effects, especially in individuals with sedentary lifestyles or those who have been on long flights or car rides. It's usually bilateral and improves with elevation of the legs.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Heart Failure: Swelling in the ankles and feet can be a sign of right-sided heart failure, where the heart is not pumping efficiently, leading to fluid buildup in the body.
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency: This condition occurs when the veins have problems returning blood from the legs back to the heart due to valve issues, leading to swelling, especially in the ankles.
- Kidney Disease: Certain kidney diseases can lead to fluid retention, causing swelling in the feet and ankles.
- Liver Disease: Conditions like cirrhosis can cause fluid buildup in the body, leading to edema in the lower extremities.
- Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy or menstruation can lead to fluid retention and swelling.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Although less common, DVT is a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause swelling in one leg. It requires immediate medical attention to prevent pulmonary embolism.
- Cellulitis: A bacterial infection of the skin that can cause swelling, redness, and warmth, usually in one leg. It needs prompt antibiotic treatment to prevent serious complications.
- Nephrotic Syndrome: A collection of symptoms indicating kidney damage, including severe swelling, particularly around the eyes, legs, and feet.
Rare Diagnoses
- Lymphedema: A chronic condition characterized by the abnormal collection of protein-rich fluid in the interstitial tissue, leading to swelling of one or more extremities.
- Sarcoidosis: A disease in which granulomas (abnormal masses of inflamed tissue) can form in various parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, lungs, and less commonly, causing swelling in the lower extremities.
- Myxedema: A condition associated with hypothyroidism, characterized by thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, leading to swelling, particularly in the hands and feet, but can also affect the lower extremities.