5 Tips to Reduce Swollen Ankles

Why do your ankles swell?

Ankle swelling occurs when fluid accumulates in the tissue around your joint. Due to gravity, fluid from your upper body and bloodstream flows to the lowest point of your body, which is often your feet and ankles. If you stand or sit for a long time, your calf muscles are less effective in pumping that fluid upwards towards your heart. Heat enhances this effect, as your blood vessels then dilate, and fluid more easily enters the surrounding tissue. This is how that familiar swollen, tight skin around your ankle develops at the end of the day.

Some situations make swollen ankles more likely. During a flight, you sit for hours in the same position with little movement, allowing fluid to easily collect in your lower legs. During intense exercise, such as running or cycling, temporary swelling occurs because your muscles and blood vessels work harder and attract more fluid. High temperatures, prolonged standing in a job that requires a lot of standing, or hormonal fluctuations can also contribute to a swollen feeling. Check out the page on swollen anklesfor more explanation about the different causes and when it is wise to investigate further.

Swollen ankles are usually harmless and will disappear on their own after rest, movement, or elevating your legs. However, it is important to remain alert for signs that do not fit with ordinary fluid retention, such as sudden swelling on one side, pain, redness, or warmth in your lower leg. These could be indications of thrombosis, in which case it is always necessary to contact your GP or specialist. Medical advice is also advisable for persistent edema, varicose veins, or lymphedema. On the collection for thick anklesyou will find more background on identifiable complaints.

How can compression contribute to less swollen ankles?

Compression garments apply controlled pressure to your lower leg, with the highest pressure at your ankle, gradually decreasing towards your knee. This gradual buildup supports the natural return flow of blood and fluid towards your heart, and can contribute to less fluid accumulation around your ankle throughout the day. The Herzog PRO Compression Socks and Herzog PRO Compression Tubes are developed based on medical compression technology and carry an MDR quality mark, which means they meet the requirements for medical devices. More explanation about this principle can be found on the page about the effect of compression.

A standard sock from the drugstore is usually available in a few fixed sizes and offers more or less the same pressure everywhere. Medical compression socks from Herzog are individually fitted based on six measuring points along your leg, so that the pressure distribution precisely matches the shape of your calf and ankle. This approach has been used for over twenty years, and the socks are used by both athletes who want to recover from training and healthcare professionals who spend long days standing. For people with a sedentary profession or a lot of travel time, this offers consistent support that goes beyond a sock that coincidentally fits.