Swollen feet - what is happening?

Question

I will post the short version -
My bf's feet sweel on the top and mostly around the ankles. Both feet do this. They have checked him for gout and it is 100% NOT that. The swelling and pain can last any where between 1 day to 3 weeks. Usually they are months apart. He has gone to specialists but the only next step is exploratory surgery - something that may cause him permanent disability and pain rather than only 1-4 times a year. Has anyone had anything similar? Suggestions for pain relief?

Right now it feels better when I massage his calf muscles, but only while I massage them.

The pain is so bad, he is in pain when he is just sitting down, and needs to use crutches to get around. He has some anti-inflamatory meds from the drs but they don't help. Please post any ideas, or any natural, or other home remedies that would be worth a try.

ok here is the long version.
My bf is not afraid of surgery. The specialist have said, that unless he has it constantly it is not worth the risk. Because it is in the ankle, and damage can be done very easily - and when they don't know why they are going in there it is not worth the risk.

When he was 12, he sprained his foot. They didn't realize until last year (now 24) that he actually broke his foot. It has never healed. This was only found on an UltraSound and CatScan. They also found a cyst that they think might be bursting causing some pain. Although they only found it in one leg, he has the swelling and pain in both feet.

Answer 1

Try taking magnesium. Eat less salt, and when walking, roll the foot toe heel in an exaggerated way. That encourages the blood flow and circulation. Also put the legs up when sitting.

Answer 2

The very first thing you should do is put ice on it. Do you've got any of those freezer gel p.C. Matters? If no longer, take some ice cubes and put them in a zip lock baggie. Then wrap the baggie in a lightweight dish towel or paper towel. Maintain it on high of the foot for awhile and it should get the swelling down. There's always the likelihood that a bone is damaged. But the swelling has to be down earlier than they are able to even x-ray it safely.

Answer 3

Any history of high blood pressure or kidney or heart disease in his family?
1] avoid sitting for prolonged periods - get up every hour or so, and walk around, run around the building, do toe touches, whatever.
2] avoid all salt - in sodas, cold cuts, all preserved meats, etc.
3] drink 1/2 gallon of water a day.
4] do aerobics 3-5 times a week - this will increase peripheral circulation, so feet circulation will improve, and swelling will be less.

Answer 4

He needs the exploratory surgery. This could very well have something serious to do with his heart and/or circulation. If the problem does turn out to be heart-related and is left untreated because your boyfriend is afraid of surgery, then he's going to end up dead. Exploratory surgery isn't a big deal these days. It's an out-patient procedure. Tell him he needs to stop playing games and go do this.

Answer 5

Have you checked his sugar, and blood pressure? High blood pressure may end in the swelling of the feet. Check it out, hope he feels better!

Answer 6

my mums feet swell, especially when she travels long haul flights, they get really bad. i hope your boyfriend recovers :(


EDIT: Also, keep his feet up for as long periods as possible. this reeally helps my mum in the short-term. hers doesn sound half as bad as your boyfriends though

Answer 7

Turning into big foot. And you thought he was just naturally that hairy down there...

Answer 8

Take him to a good proctologist, you will be suprised the stuff that they can find down there.

Answer 9

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/symptoms/foot_swelling/causes.htm