Swollen ankles

I did read somewhere that it's best to rest your ankles up higher rather than level as they would be on a settee or a footstool.

That’s useful. My ankles have really swollen since this hot weather began.

My ankles swell but my left ankle looks horrid. I was told by the surgery nurse it's probably because of my THR I had in 2013.
I raise it day and night to no avail it's not sore just itchy because the skin expands. Mine swell all year round I was told it's not odema.

My mother-in-law was told you have to raise them above your heart.

I have ankles prone to swelling and was told it was to do with the calf muscle and to work them - calf raises made a big difference to me.

Apparently calf muscles act as a muscle pump and every time they contract, they squeeze the veins in your lower legs. This pushes trapped fluid and blood back up toward your heart against gravity. I had a leg masage - recommended by my physio - that was amazing and revelatory! My legs were SO stiff!

Walking is not enough as the "work" of your calf muscles is transient.

Here are some links:

youtu.be/DEAbP_pw-OI?is=k0GQ8IfO5EOWS_f1

www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/muscle-bone-and-joints/leg-and-foot-problems-and-conditions/exercises-for-calf-and-ankle-problems/?hl=en-GB

www.everydayhealth.com/health-impacts/exercises-for-swollen-feet/?hl=en-GB

I hope this helps a bit.

Thanks for the links, very helpful.

I have neuropathy and was getting very swollen legs and ankles during the hot weather. I bought one of these to sleep at night and even doubled the height with a firm cushion underneath (taken from an armchair). This raises the legs pretty high, and means you have to sleep on your back, but it has really helped reduce the swelling.

As soon as I get up I wear compression stockings, which I leave on all day. Okay, they are uncomfortable during hot weather but not as uncomfortable as having horribly swollen legs which can be so painful.

Between these two things my legs are not nearly as bad as they were.

Chestnut my swelling started post stroke with one foot being rather sluggish.
I was told putting a bed lifter under the foot of the bed is helpful.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

My swelling of ankles started as soon as I started taking blood pressure tablets. A change in medication now means I can see my ankle bones again.

It's even worse if you are on blood pressure tablets.

Don’t forget to moisturise those poor ankles, last thing anyone needs is the skin to break down.

Massage is good.
So moisturising will be good too.

Not ankles but my fingers swell in hot weather particularly when walking. Bit embarrassing holding them above my head - I suppose I could cross my arms and put them on my shoulders? Any tips?

Ideally you should get your feet higher that your heart and flex your ankles in circles to try to get the blood moving. It's what I was told by a physio so I have to believe it!

Post surgery henning had to keep my feet raised for 8 weeks (!) I was told 'toes to nose'

Toes Above Nose! I’m recovering from Total Knee Replacement and that leg is very swollen. My constant mantra has been toes above nose, ice and elevate!!

NotSpaghetti

My mother-in-law was told you have to raise them above your heart.

I have ankles prone to swelling and was told it was to do with the calf muscle and to work them - calf raises made a big difference to me.

Apparently calf muscles act as a muscle pump and every time they contract, they squeeze the veins in your lower legs. This pushes trapped fluid and blood back up toward your heart against gravity. I had a leg masage - recommended by my physio - that was amazing and revelatory! My legs were SO stiff!

Walking is not enough as the "work" of your calf muscles is transient.

Here are some links:

youtu.be/DEAbP_pw-OI?is=k0GQ8IfO5EOWS_f1

www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/muscle-bone-and-joints/leg-and-foot-problems-and-conditions/exercises-for-calf-and-ankle-problems/?hl=en-GB

www.everydayhealth.com/health-impacts/exercises-for-swollen-feet/?hl=en-GB

I hope this helps a bit.

Also what my DH said!

Also keep your legs, especially lower legs, very moisturised

I take dandilion capsules it helps a lot with water retention.

My ankles swell if I’m not sufficiently active.

Menopauselbitch

I take dandilion capsules it helps a lot with water retention.

Me too. I was about to recommend them when I saw your comment.

Just enter compression socks into You Tube and lots of helpful information comes up about them and how they can help. One guy even recommends them for younger people and says athletes use them!