Swollen ankles

[ulllass]

Hi. All happy new year

I have lupus sle and suffer the odd flare up. Evrn though I have it midly I am suffering right now.

Can any of you help me with what I can do with supports for my ankles. They both hurt under my ankle bone outside of foot. Especially my right one both swollen more so yne right one. I am flat footed too which doesn't help. Its making my knees hurt and my back too. Would appreciate any advice please and thank you in advsnce

[BeeHoneyB]

Can’t share much advice, but I do empathise with your pain. I could have written this! I wear walking boots which I find support my ankles when I walk and are very comfy. Especially on school run! I also wear trainers inside as slippers! I tore my Achilles a few yrs ago so was advised by my physio to keep stability in my foot. You could ask for a orthotic referral to get specially made inserts for shoes will help with flat foot and knee pain? Or buy some online to see if they help? hope you find some comfort or advice to help x

[happytulip]

Swollen ankles could be a sign of fluid retention which could mean a problem with your kidneys and/or heart.

I'd make an appointment to speak to a GP. You probably need your BP checked, and full bloods including kidney function.

It's best to be sure

It could just be muscular swelling due to lupus but it's best to get checked out.

If it is "just" muscular skeletal pain then sitting upright in a chair and rolling a rolling pin under your feet should help re-establish your arches, or at least go some way to improving them.

[Maddymay65]

HiSorry you are suffering, I also agree about speaking to a doctor or nurse

With regards to footwear I am flatfooted also which gives pain in various places. My physio also suggested good supportive footwear, and something like the brand fitflop, they are shaped inside and arched. Not cheap mind but they have helped me enormously. I also wear sketchers the memory foam is glorious.

Hope you get sorted, stay safe, happy new year M

[CecilyParsley]

Hi ullass I get very badly swollen feet and ankles. They are so painful. I keep my legs elevated when sitting and sleep with my legs raised too. Sometimes I have to take diuretics to be able to walk properly. I saw a podiatrist and had orthotics made to support my arches. I agree with everyone that you ought to see your GP just to test your BP too. Good luck xx

[Wendy39]

Hello ullass

I get swollen ankles. It's never been linked to my lupus/sjogrens. I guess I've had these puffy pockets on fluid on my ankles on and off for years and years. I'm 46 years old.

I have varicose veins (since 18/19) and get told that with those I am bound to get swollen ankles - poor circulation is to blame.

I remember at my first NHS rheumatology appointment, she asked me if I had any swellings etc and I said no.

But then after being a hydroxychloroquine for around 8 months, I was going to a wedding and put on a pair of shoes with an ankle strap and realised that I could tighten both straps 3 or 4 holes tighter than when I'd previously worn them. So the lupus meds had reduced the swelling in my ankles? Unfortunately when I told the rheumy about this at a later date, she totally dismissed this and said it wasn't relevant.

I also have osteoarthritis in my hips and knees (lesser extent spine) and I am flat footed.

NHS Podiatry no help, except telling me that completely flat shoes are not my friend. I had been wearing flat "daps" all summer thinking they would help. Also lots of ballerina shoes. But apparently completely flat shoes are wrong. (I had made my knee pain much much worse by doing this). Apparently shoes with an inch heel are much kinder with such issues. Podiatry would not give me insoles. Told me to change my footwear instead. But I know people here who have been given insoles to help.

Podiatry recommended Hotter shoes but I have found my own brands that I prefer. I buy Fitflop (they don't just do flip flops, they do trainers, boots etc), Clarks or Skechers. Since realising that I needed to wear much better shoes - ones that are sensible and secure on my feet, my aches and pains and swollen ankles have been better.

I hope some of these replies help you.

Best wishes

Wendy