What makes swelling worse

It is typically the result of inflammation or a buildup of fluid. Edema describes swelling in the tissue outside of the joint. Effusion describes swelling that is inside a joint, such as a swollen ankle or knee. Hemarthrosis is a condition where there is blood and swelling within a joint. This indicates either a ligament injury, such as an ACL tear or a fracture.

Hemarthrosis is determined by removing some fluid from the joint with a needle. Acute refers to swelling that occurs within 24 hours of injury.

If the swelling occurs within the first 2 hours, it is probably associated with hemarthrosis and should be checked out by a physician. Chronic refers to swelling that occurs over a long period of time and can be difficult for an athlete to detect, but is very harmful if left untreated.

The body always responds to an injury with a predictable inflammatory response, as the first step towards healing. Redness, heat, swelling and pain are associated with this first stage.

Redness and heat are caused by increased blood flow. Subscribe to receive our latest Dr. It's FREE! Jun 29, What causes swelling after an injury?

When should someone seek medical attention? What can patients do to reduce swelling? Here are some additional tips to reduce swelling: Move the joints above and below the injury site, so it can help improve lymphatic drainage, as noted by Casley-Smith in Use short stretch compression garments to reduce tissue edema and swelling.

Apply heat after the first few days to improve the mobility of the lymphatic system and improve swelling. Try to avoid putting weight or pressure on the affected area. Are there any precautions injured persons should take at home? Pain medications can also negatively impact people with existing health conditions, such as the following: Liver disease Heart disease Kidney disease Stomach ulcers High blood pressure How can a physical therapist help reduce swelling?

Share On Facebook. Share On Twitter. Share On Pinterest. Share On Linkedin. However, that does not mean swelling is always a good thing. If ankle swelling lasts too long, it can become chronic. Chronic swelling leads to an inability to use the muscles in the injured area. In an extreme circumstance, this can lead to muscle atrophy. Think of it like this: the body makes your foot or ankle swell to heal it, but also to keep you off of it.

If you go too long without putting weight on your foot, the muscles there become weak from disuse. This is why it is important to treat injuries that lead to swelling. Most swelling treatment can be done at home. The vast majority of injuries will heal and the swelling will dissipate after a few days. If you have prolonged swelling or if it gets gradually worse instead of better, see a doctor.

First, you want to protect yourself from further injury. This can mean immobilizing your ankle with a brace or bandage, or even just staying off your feet for a while. Rest is very important for injuries that cause swelling. Movement is essential, but anything that causes further pain should be avoided, especially in the first three days.

Next, you will want to ice your ankle swelling. Apply ice for 20 minutes every hour for the first three days of your injury.

Although fluid retention is an internal condition, it may also cause external swelling. Localized swelling refers to situations where just one specific area is swollen. For example, a person with an eye infection may experience swelling only around the eyes. A person who has been stung by an insect may experience swelling only in the area of the sting.

Widespread swelling occurs over a large area of the body. This is usually a sign of serious illness. People with diabetes or certain forms of cancer can experience widespread swelling, or swelling in their extremities, such as their fingers and toes. This form of swelling may appear periodically. Inside of your body, swelling is often the result of organ inflammation, fluid retention, or flatulence. Your doctor may do a variety of tests to diagnose your swelling and its cause.

An imaging test, such as an ultrasound, can offer more information about the cause of the swelling. More specialized tests, such as a CT scan or MRI , may also provide information on the cause of the swelling.

And your blood and urine will be tested to determine if a disease is causing the swelling. This medication will stop the reaction from getting any worse. Your treatment will depend on the cause of the swelling. If a tumor or abscess is causing the swelling, you may need surgery to remove it.

Your doctor might also prescribe medication to relieve inflammation or swelling.