Trauma
Trauma may cause swelling of a foot or leg in the short-term. A sprain, fracture, or bruise can cause swelling of the entire foot for hours or even a day or so after the injury.
- Sprain: A sprain involves anything from a partial tear to a complete tear of a ligament (e.g. a cord of connective tissue connecting muscle and bone). The severity of the sprain does not predict the severity of the lower leg or foot swelling. Your entire foot may be swollen and unable to bear weight for a mild sprain and you may have minimal swelling for a complete tear. Often a physical exam, X-rays, and whether or not you regain the ability to move your foot or extremity quickly determine the severity of the sprain. In all cases, rest, ice, compression, and elevation help decrease swelling and pain and you should seek medical evaluation.
- Fracture: A mild fracture appears similar to a sprain. Swelling, inability to bear weight on the foot or move the foot are common symptoms. However, more severe fractures may result in obviously deformed or misaligned bones or joints. In those cases, it is important that the foot is reset in the proper position either in the emergency department or more commonly through a surgical procedure in which bones are fixed to each other to promote proper healing.
This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have.
Skin infection of the foot
An infection of the skin of the foot is almost always either fungal or bacterial. A fungal infection of the foot is called tinea pedis, or athlete's foot. It is caused by different types of dermatophyte fungus and is commonly found in damp places such as showers or locker room floors. A bacterial infection anywhere on the skin is called cellulitis if it extends under the skin. It can develop after a break in the skin allows bacteria to enter and begin growing. These bacteria are most often either Streptococcus or Staphylococcus, which are found throughout the environment.
Most susceptible are diabetic patients, since high blood sugar interferes with healing and wounds can easily become chronic and/or deeply infected. Diagnosis is made through physical examination by a medical provider.
Treatment for either a fungal or bacterial infection involves keeping the skin dry and clean at all times. A fungal infection is treated with topical and/or oral antifungal medications, while a bacterial infection will be treated with topical and/or antibiotic medications.
Rarity: Uncommon
Top Symptoms: fever, foot pain, foot redness, warm red foot swelling, swollen ankle
Symptoms that always occur with skin infection of the foot: foot redness, foot pain, area of skin redness
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Septic arthritis
Septic arthritis is also called infectious arthritis. "Arthritis" simply means inflammation of a joint. In septic arthritis, the inflammation is caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. The most common agent is Staphylococcus aureus, or staph.
These agents reach the joints either from another infection in the body, or from a traumatic injury that contaminates the wounded joint.
Risk factors include existing joint disease or injury; a weakened immune system; and damaged skin. All of these things allow infectious agents to get a foothold.
Symptoms include severe pain in the affected joints, along with redness and swelling. The knees are most often affected but septic arthritis can occur in any joint.
The infection can damage cartilage and bone very quickly, so anyone with these symptoms should see a medical provider as soon as possible.
Diagnosis is made through a sample of the joint fluid; blood tests; and x-ray or CT scan of the joint.
Treatment involves draining the infected fluid from the joint, either with a needle or with surgery, followed by antibiotics.
Septic arthritis is also called infectious arthritis. "Arthritis" simply means inflammation of a joint. In septic arthritis, the inflammation is caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. The most common agent is Staphylococcus aureus, or staph.
These agents reach the joints either from another infection in the body, or from a traumatic injury that contaminates the wounded joint.
Risk factors include existing joint disease or injury; a weakened immune system; and damaged skin. All of these things allow infectious agents to get a foothold.
Symptoms include severe pain in the affected joints, along with redness and swelling. The knees are most often affected but septic arthritis can occur in any joint.
The infection can damage cartilage and bone very quickly, so anyone with these symptoms should see a medical provider as soon as possible.
Diagnosis is made through a sample of the joint fluid; blood tests; and x-ray or CT scan of the joint.
Treatment involves draining the infected fluid from the joint, either with a needle or with surgery, followed by antibiotics.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the lining of the joints, causing them to become thickened and painful. It can also affect other parts of the body such as the heart, lungs, eyes, and circulatory system.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means the body's immune system turns against itself for unknown reasons.
Most at risk are women from ages 30-60. Other risk factors are family history, smoking, and obesity.
Early symptom include warm, swollen, stiff, painful joints, especially the fingers and toes; fatigue; and fever. Usually, the same joints on both sides of the body are affected.
If untreated, irreversible joint damage and deformity can occur, with other complications. Early diagnosis can allow preventive treatment to begin as soon as possible.
Diagnosis is made through physical examination; blood tests; and x-ray, CT scan, or MRI.
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but the disease can be managed to improve quality of life. Treatment includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; steroids; anti-rheumatic drugs; physical therapy; and sometimes surgery to repair the joints.
Nail infection (paronychia)
Paronychia is an infection of the skin of the fingers or toes, at the place where the skin folds down to meet the nail.
Acute, or sudden onset, paronychia is caused by the staphylococcus bacteria. The organism can gain entry if the nail is cracked, broken, bitten, or trimmed too closely.
Chronic, or ongoing, paronychia is caused by a fungus. Anyone whose work requires their hands to be wet much of the time is susceptible.
People with diabetes or a weakened immune system are more susceptible to nail infections.
Symptoms include sore, reddened, swollen skin around the nail, sometimes with pus collecting under the skin.
Diagnosis is made through physical examination and sometimes skin culture to identify the organism involved.
Treatment for acute paronychia involves having a medical provider clean the wounded nail and drain any infection, and sometimes provide a course of antibiotics.
Treatment for the chronic form involves keeping the skin dry and using an antifungal medication on the affected nail.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: spontaneous finger pain, fingernail pain, fingernail swelling
Urgency: Phone call or in-person visit
Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden pain, stiffness, and swelling in a joint. The big toe is often affected, but it can also happen in other joints. Sometimes, the joint gets hot and red. Gout is caused by uric acid crystals. Risk factors for gout include obesity, eating a lot of meat, drinking beer, age (older), sex (male), and family history.
You should see a healthcare professional to see if uric acid crystals have accumulated in the joint. Gout can be diagnosed based on symptoms, but it's also common to take a sample of joint fluid for testing. A physician can give you a prescription for anti-inflammatory medications and/ or pain medications. There are also medications to stop your body from making too much uric acid. Sometimes, a shot in the joint can help with symptoms also.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: swollen toes
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Foot sprain
The bones of the ankle and foot are held together by ligaments, which are bands of tough tissue. An ankle sprain is a type of injury where one or more of the ligaments is stretched too far, causing tiny fibers in the ligaments to tear. In most cases, the ligament does not tear completely. A sprain is caused by the ligaments being stretched too far or tearing. This can happen when the foot rolls rolls, twists or turns too much.
Deep vein thrombosis
A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep in the body, usually in the lower leg or thigh. DVT can cause swelling, pain, and redness in the affected leg. Some of the risk factors for developing DVT include obesity, pregnancy, cancer, surgery, and previous history of blood clots.
You should consider calling your primary care or urgent care provider. Deep vein thrombosis can be evaluated with a review of your symptoms, a physical exam, and an ultrasound. A blood test may also be performed. Once diagnosed, DVT can be treated with blood-thinning medication, which is usually taken for three months.
Rarity: Uncommon
Top Symptoms: fever, thigh pain, upper leg swelling, calf pain, butt pain
Urgency: Hospital emergency room
Broken foot (navicular bone fracture)
The navicular is one of the bones of the foot.
You should visit your primary care physician. An X-Ray may be helpful to confirm the diagnosis.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: difficulty walking, constant foot pain, pain in one foot, recent ankle injury, foot pain from overuse
Symptoms that always occur with broken foot (navicular bone fracture): pain in one foot, constant foot pain, recent ankle injury
Urgency: In-person visit
Broken ankle
An ankle fracture is a break in 1 or more ankle bones.
You should seek immediate medical care. The ankle will likely be splinted, but in severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: difficulty walking, constant ankle pain, swollen ankle, pain in one ankle, ankle pain from an injury
Symptoms that always occur with broken ankle: pain in one ankle, swollen ankle, ankle pain from an injury, constant ankle pain
Urgency: Hospital emergency room
Ankle arthritis
Arthritis simply means inflammation of the joints. Because the feet and ankles have many small joints and carry the weight of the body, they are often the first place that arthritis appears.
Ankle arthritis is caused by a breakdown in the protective cartilage at the end of each joint, so that the bones begin to wear against each other and the joint becomes stiff and painful. This breakdown may be due to simple wear and tear; an injury; or from rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition which causes the body to break down its own cartilage.
Symptoms include swelling, warmth, and redness in the joint, and pain with movement or with pressure on the joint.
Diagnosis is made through patient history, physical examination, and imaging such as x-rays, CT scan, or MRI.
There is no cure for arthritis, but treatment is important because the symptoms can be managed to prevent further damage, ease pain, and improve quality of life. Treatment involves physical therapy, pain-relieving medications, and sometimes surgery to help repair damaged joints.
Rarity: Uncommon
Top Symptoms: swollen ankle, swollen foot, joint stiffness, pain in one ankle, ankle stiffness
Urgency: Self-treatment
What causes swelling in one foot?
Swelling in one foot is caused by fluid buildup in the foot. Fluid accumulation can take place through many mechanisms. The most common is inflammation following an infection or trauma to the tissues of the foot. When an infection in the foot occurs, the blood vessels of the foot dilate so that white blood cells and other immune cells can access the infected material. When trauma such as a sprain or fracture occurs, the tissues of the foot swell and become inflamed to clean up any blood from bruising and to make the foot sensitive or painful so that it is not used excessively in order to allow time for it to heal.
When is swelling in one foot dangerous?
Swelling in one foot is common, and by itself, it may not need evaluation. However, it should be evaluated urgently by a medical professional for a few reasons: if your foot has become cold in comparison to its partner, you have lost feeling, or you are unable to move your foot. You may have damage to the blood vessels that supply your foot or damage to the nerves that allow you to sense or move your foot. Damage to blood vessels can lead to tissue death and necessitate amputation whereas damage to the nerves in the foot can lead to a permanent inability to use the foot. In both cases, it is necessary to seek evaluation to preserve function and to possibly avoid life-threatening consequences of damage to the foot. Finally, swelling in the foot should be evaluated urgently in the setting of an inability to catch one's breath or pain in the calf as these may be signs of a clot in the leg.
When is foot swelling a sign of an infection?
Foot swelling is most commonly a sign of infection if it is accompanied by a rash or redness along the area where the foot is tender and if there is evidence of fever, chills, or pus emanating from a wound. In some people, these rashes can be signs of cellulitis or erysipelas which are both infections of the skin (albeit by different organisms). A wound that refuses to heal and produces pus or an abscess (a swollen, seemingly fluid-filled sac) are both signs of infection with bacteria that commonly cause skin infections. Often times, rashes or abscesses require medical treatment or drainage to begin healing.
How long does foot swelling from sprain take to disappear?
Foot swelling from a sprain can take variable amounts of time to disappear and can be affected by the degree of injury to the ligament and the treatments that are employed to help the ligament heal. Generally, minor sprains can be treated with the following: by resting and not bearing weight or even using crutches, using cryotherapy or chilling the ankle with ice, using compression or an elastic bandage early to minimize swelling, and elevating or raising the leg above the heart to limit swelling. Over-the-counter painkillers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can limit both swelling and pain. Ankle splints can also keep the ankle from being injured as weight-bearing is slowly increased. It may take six to eight weeks to return to full capability following an injury with good care.
How should I treat foot swelling from a blow to the foot?
Swelling from a blow to the foot can usually be treated with at-home treatments described through the acronym R.I.C.E. "R" stands for rest which means that you should avoid placing weight on the foot. "I" stands for ice or cold, meaning the ankle should be chilled both to reduce swelling and to reduce pain. "C" stands for compression which also helps keep fluids from building up within the ankle. "E" stands for elevation specifically above the heart which reduces the ability of blood to pool in the limb. NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are used to decrease swelling in the ankle. Once pain begins to increase, it is very important to resume activity and stretch the ankle as it will allow. Splints and braces are also very useful to stabilize the ankle and increase the ability to gradually increase strain on the ankle. Surgery for severe sprains may help improve the eventual ability of the ankle to bear weight.
Questions your doctor may ask about swelling of one foot
- Where exactly is your foot swelling?
- What is your body mass?
- Do you have a history of high cholesterol?
- Have you ever been diagnosed with diabetes?
Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions.
