What's causing your ankle pain and swelling?
Ankle pain and swelling can stem from several lupus-related causes. It might be a symptom of lupus itself, a side effect of your medications, or a sign of lupus nephritis (kidney involvement).
Painful swollen joints are extremely common with lupus - about 92% of people with lupus Show Full Answer
What's causing your ankle pain and swelling?
Ankle pain and swelling can stem from several lupus-related causes. It might be a symptom of lupus itself, a side effect of your medications, or a sign of lupus nephritis (kidney involvement).
Painful swollen joints are extremely common with lupus - about 92% of people with lupus experience this symptom. The inflammation from lupus can directly cause swelling, pain, and stiffness in your ankles and other joints.
Swelling in the ankles and feet can also signal lupus nephritis, which affects about 50% of people with lupus. When lupus damages the kidneys, they can't properly filter fluids, leading to fluid retention and swelling in the lower legs and ankles.
Several lupus medications can cause ankle swelling too:
- Corticosteroids like prednisone cause fluid retention and can lead to swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet
- NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) can also contribute to swelling
- Immunosuppressants like cyclosporine may cause this side effect
You should contact your doctor right away if your swelling is sudden, only in one leg, painful, or if your leg looks pale and feels cold. Also seek immediate care if you have shortness of breath, chest pain, or dizziness along with the swelling.
Your doctor can determine whether this is from lupus activity, medication side effects, or kidney involvement and adjust your treatment accordingly.
January 9
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