What can you do for swollen ankles?

Most people with swollen ankles have "venous insufficiency." Valves inside your veins help move blood from your feet back to your heart. When the valves are working correctly, blood flows in just one direction — back toward your heart.  If the valves in the veins become leaky, with age or because of a medical problem that raises the pressure inside the veins, blood flows in the wrong direction.  The higher pressure inside your veins forces fluid out of your small blood vessels, making your ankles and legs puffy.
Medical conditions such as kidney disease, heart disease or a blood clot in the leg can cause can raise pressure inside the veins and force fluid backward and into the tissues in your legs.  One additional cause of swollen ankles can be medications. Some drugs, such as calcium blockers like amlodipine or nifedipine, can lead to swelling of the feet and legs.
Treatment depends on the cause of swollen ankles. General measures that help are elevating the legs whenever possible, wearing support stockings and limiting sodium intake. For swelling related to heart failure or kidney disease, doctors prescribe diuretics (water pills). Blood clots are treated with anticoagulant drugs.