How Obesity can Cause Ankle Pain
If you're someone who struggles with obesity, you may be wondering if there's a connection between your weight and your ankle pain. Believe it or not, there is! In this blog post, we'll explore how obesity can lead to ankle pain and what you can do to manage it. We hope this information helps you get on the road to better health.
Can obesity cause swollen ankles?
The answer to that is a resounding “yes.” Obesity can decrease blood circulation, causing fluid to build up in the feet, ankles, and legs.
This swelling, in turn, has a direct bearing on the number of falls you might take, or on the number of ankle sprains you sustain. It's no exaggeration to say that being significantly overweight can have a major impact on the health of your feet and ankles. If you are obese, chances are good that you may at some point in your life endure obesity ankle swelling or possibly periods of intense pain resulting from excess weight.1
How extra weight causes ankle pain
As little as 10 extra pounds of weight can cause a significant weakening of tendons and ligaments, which will make it much more likely that you experience sprains and strains. People who are obese will also generally have a different gait, and this too can exert additional pressure on ankles and feet. A study conducted by the Oklahoma Health Sciences Center found that obese persons had 27 percent more falls than did non-obese study participants.2
Complications of extra weight
When you're carrying a lot of extra weight, the complications for your feet and ankles can be more serious than occasional bouts of pain. Any time you gain even a few pounds, it will cause your weight distribution to change, and your normal walking style will be affected. These new stresses will exacerbate any issues you already have with your feet.
Managing weight and obesity
If you are experiencing obesity related foot or ankle pain, speak with your doctor about ways to manage your weight. A registered dietitian may also be a resource in helping you to lose weight effectively. In the long term, achieving a healthy weight is a important part of reducing foot and ankle pain and lessening the chance of injury.
Apex 3D Total Ankle Replacement
If your ankle pain reaches an intolerable level, and nothing has helped manage your pain, you may want to consider a full ankle replacement. The Apex 3D Total Ankle Replacement system removes damaged bone and cartilage, then replaces the joint to restore full motion and eliminate pain. This is one of the least invasive surgical methods currently available, and that means you'll experience a much faster recovery.
Reviewed By:
This article was reviewed by Allyson Wallbridge, MA, RDN
Important Risk Information
Only a surgeon can tell if the APEX 3D™ Total Ankle Replacement System is right for you. There are potential risks, and recovery takes time. Potential risks include but are not limited to infection, discomfort, or swelling due to balancing and introduction of the implant, loosening of the implant, and loss of correction. Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
For the contraindications, potential complications and adverse reactions, warnings and precautions associated with this device, please refer to the device specific instructions for use at http://www.paragon28.com/ifus.
For additional information on Paragon 28® and its products please visit www.paragon28.com.
References:
1 https://www.advancedfootandanklefl.com/component/k2/item/12-obesity-may-lead-to-ankle-pain.html
2 https://healthfully.com/obesity-and-ankle-pain-7793428.html