Ankle Pain & Swelling: A Story of Working on Your Feet

If you read this post, I hope you'll relate to my experience with ankle pain and swelling. Many people suffer from this condition—both those working on their feet all day, and also people who are sitting for extended periods of time.

When Did the Pain Start?

First, my legs began to hurt; then the swelling appeared right near my ankle bones. As I spend most of my days standing and walking while doing my job, I initially assumed it was poor circulation or tired legs.

The Specialist's Visit (Vein Specialist)

To ensure safety, I made an appointment with a vein specialist (phlebologist) to do an ultrasound to see if there were any issues with my blood flow. Luckily, everything was okay. There were no issues with my veins or my circulation. The phlebologist said he believed that the pain could be caused by a neurological issue (a possible pinched nerve), and referred me to another specialist.

X-rays & Appointment w/Neurologist

Prior to my appointment with the neurologist, I had x-rays done to make sure I hadn’t injured any of the bones in my foot. The neurologist reviewed everything and found nothing wrong with the nerves in my ankle. She explained that even though my scans were normal, my ankle pain is probably coming from muscle strain, bad posture, or simply putting too much stress on my muscles and joints.

Physiotherapy

Next up will be a visit to a physiotherapist. The goal here is to get a specialist to review how I walk and stand and give me some exercises that will help correct the issues that are causing my pain instead of just treating the symptoms of the pain.

Current Status

At present, I am attempting to schedule an appointment, however I am experiencing difficulty booking an appointment because of wait times in the Czech Republic. When I begin physiotherapy, I will add an update to this blog to inform you of what specific exercises helped alleviate my ankle pain.

Why I Am Writing About This

I'm posting this as a guy who works very long hours on his feet and frequently works overtime. Physical labor is just part of the nature of my job. I know many of you are similar to myself — working hard in demanding jobs where taking breaks is scarce. If you identify with my story, know you're not alone.