Should You Worry About Swollen Feet?

Swollen feet can be extraordinarily uncomfortable. If just temporarily swollen, you can probably figure out why – for example, you spent all day on your feet.

When swollen feet are brief, it’s not such a big deal. Your discomfort and swelling will quickly disappear after you spend some time with your feet propped up on a comfy cushion. However, if your feet are always puffy and tender, that’s not normal.

Find out what’s behind your swollen feet by making an appointment with Clifton Foot & Ankle Center’s board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm. Dr. Wilhelm will not only examine your feet, but he’ll ask questions to help discover the reason behind your condition.

Things a doctor may want to know:

Have you had a recent injury?

Sprains, torn ligaments, and stress fractures are common injuries that swell your feet.

Are you taking any medications?

Certain medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can cause swelling. They include birth control pills, oral steroids, and some diabetes and blood pressure medications.

Have you been diagnosed with any other medical conditions?

Persistently swollen feet can be related to poor heart, liver, or kidney function. For example, if your heart’s not pumping well, blood can build up in the veins of your legs, causing fluid to build up. Similarly, poorly functioning kidneys can cause sodium to build up in your extremities, causing swollen feet and ankles (hands, too).

Are you pregnant?

Some edema (swelling) of the feet and ankles is normal during pregnancy. However, sudden or severe swelling may indicate a serious condition called preeclampsia that warrants immediate medical attention.

What other new symptoms do you have?

By asking this question, Dr. Wilhelm is trying to determine if you have symptoms that indicate an emergency. Lower limb swelling may be serious when accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, or difficulty walking. 

Certainly, we’ve all experienced some foot swelling that disappears almost as soon as it appears. But for swelling that hangs around and you’re not sure why, contact our Fairfax County podiatry office at (703) 996-3000 or make an appointment online. For foot swelling that comes on suddenly, is painful, or only affects one side of your body, seek immediate attention at our Centreville office or, if outside our business hours, at the emergency room.