What is the reason 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, it raises the pressure inside the veins. This can lead to fluid moving out of the veins into the tissues, making your ankles and legs puffy. Medical conditions such as kidney disease, heart disease or a blood clot in the leg also can raise pressure inside the veins, which can force fluid into the legs’ tissues. Some drugs, such as calcium blockers like amlodipine or nifedipine, can lead to swelling of the feet and legs.