Ankle Swelling – Pregnancy

Background

Leg swelling is common in women who are pregnant.  As the edema in the legs increase, this can become quite painful and the pregnant woman may experience leg cramps, numbness, tingling, and discomfort.  Therefore it is important to provide treatments in order to help reduce swelling in the lower extremities.

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Treatment

Put your feet up whenever possible preferably on a bolster with pillows, but make sure not to cross your ankles while lying or sitting.

Legs Elevated on Bolster

Start with slow ankle pumps.  Hold for a few seconds at the end of each motion. Then progress to where you don’t hold at the end of each motion.  The motion should now be uninterrupted.  Do 10-15 repetitions twice a day.  

Ankle Pumps With and Without Hold on Bolster

 

Next, roll your ankles IN then OUT.  Start with holding for a few seconds at the end range, then progress to where you eliminate the hold.  Do 10-15 repetitions twice a day.  

Ankle Inversion and Eversion With and Without Hold

 

Circle clockwise then counterclockwise should be done next. Do 10-15 repetitions twice a day.  

Ankle Clockwise and Counterclockwise Rotation

Next, write the ABCs. Pretend you have a pencil between your big toe and your second toe.  Draw imaginary large capital letters. Make sure the motion is coming from your foot and ankle, not your knee. Don’t forget to do the other foot!

Ankle ABCs

Toe scrunching is next.  Make sure to Flex and Extend the toes only.  Do 10-15 repetitions twice a day.  

Toe Scrunching

Next, try toe splaying.  Spread your toes apart then back together.  Do 10-15 repetitions twice a day.  

Toe Splaying

References

Citation: Smyth RMD, Aflaifel N, Bamigboye AA. Interventions for varicose veins and leg oedema in pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews2015, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD001066. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001066.pub3.