Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Swollen ankles. Do you walk or not?

I recently started having problems with my ankle and it has swollen up (and stayed like that for a good week or two). I have AS and suspect this may be AS related. I'm currently taking prednosolone for this. The doctor also gave me prescription for a supporting sock (that I'm using). I did an x-ray yesterday and have an MRI in 2 weeks. I'm in a country now where I don't speak the language and where they have trouble with english, making everything a bit harder.

Would you walk on it or rest it? I've already rested somewhat (meaning I've used it far less than normal) the past two weeks.

The problem with resting is that my back and knee has a tendency of aching as well if I don't move. The past three months I've been aching somewhere every day (after two years of not aching) so I guess I'm in a period of inflammation.

My work as a photographer require me walking several hours a day and so for the time being I'm not working. I really want to get back to it.

WELCOME, Cristaline:

Since I am not a physician (and not afraid of losing my medical license), I can only give You advice that is non-professional; just from experience. So please accept that I could totally be wrong about Your individual situation.

I had edema that I observed fell from my knees into my ankles; nothing caused it locally. However, the problem is that this lymph is full of cytokines that will cause inflammation in non-targeted tissues.

Since there is no injury in the ankle itself, it is probably safe to walk on. In fact walking is the best way to eliminate the edema: Our lymph has no heart to pump it around and moving the gluteals is very important in getting the lymph to flow.

The problem is that this waste lymph is not getting expelled properly. In AS we often have a condition that prevents proper elimination of this lymph: Colitis is also at the very heart of this disease; ground zero.

When the colon is inflamed, it cannot process the lymph properly, so this excess will obey gravity and out through the hips, down to the knees and then on to the ankles, where just a small amount will be noticed more that at the other locations.

So first, it is important to eliminate the intestinal inflammation and get this important organ of elimination working again. This requires attention to diet, of course, and there are some emergency measures that are difficult to discuss openly.

Next, when not walking or doing exercise, it is important to keep the ankle elevated and if You can find Epsom salts, a pack can be made and best to heat this, if possible. Or just alternate from liquid foot bath to elevating. If castor oil is available, it would be good to use this as a rub, or even do (in)famous "castor oil packs."

Happy ambulating!
HEALTH,
John

I basically walk when I can.

But if my feet, knees, hamstring tendons, or SI joint are too cranky and the walking actually makes anything worse, I hold up for a few days til things subside. Sometimes its longer depending on what is bad.