Both my ankles are swollen after a flight. Why?

Question

Hello doctor,

I just had a flight and have swollen ankles on both legs. I have attached the photos. The swelling is tender, and no pain or redness. I just had a check-up one week ago, and all my blood reports are normal.

My standard medications are:

For HP, Irbesartan 150 mg a day and Metoprolol 50 mg twice a day.
Escitalopram 10 mg for anxiety once a day.
Pantoprazole 40 mg twice a day for my gastritis.
Pancreatin 625 mg three times a day to avoid pancreatitis attacks.

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have seen the photos. (attachment removed to protect patient identity).

This is a common problem not only after the flight but also after prolonged traveling. It occurs due to prolonged immobilization, and due to increased blood circulation and decreased venous return, it will improve after frequent mobility of the joint and walking. The only problem I am worried about you is your underlying hypertension, and you are on medication. So, it could be CCF (congestive cardiac failure) due to fluid overload or excessive stress. But a heart problem will have dyspnea, fatigue and decreased urine output, which is not in your case. So my advice is to walk frequently, keep your legs slightly elevated above the pillow. It will disappear by the next morning.

Advice:

Move your limbs, use loose clothes.
Take adequate rest.
Continue your medication.
If at any time you have fatigue, difficulty in breathing, or decreased urine output, please visit the nearest emergency room.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.