swollen ankles after flight

[killphil]

My last trip, my ankles swelled up pretty bad. I fly quit a bit and it had never happened before or since. Also happened to my friend on the return flight. No big deal as it went away after the first night of sleep. Just wondering.

[7-Eleven]

Extract from Wikipedia

 

The Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis

 

DVT is most common in the lower limbs, whereby pain, swelling and discoloration of the affected region may occur. The leg may also show a congestion of superficial veins.

Thats why it's important to take regular walks around the cabin of the aircraft and do those excercises they advise you to do.

[killphil]

Thanks.

[martin99z]

jeezus Mr 'International hardman' is just a pussy!

 

Let's not get into specifics here, but its pretty well known that one of the consequences of long haul flights under compressed atmospherics is distension of the extremities -not just feet & ankles, but hands, wrists and to a lesser extent the whole body - hence that 'bloated' feeling, right?

 

Relax - wear trainers (unlaced) for the flight and this will keep your feet in-size. If you take em off, sure, your feet will swell-up

 

Number one option - cruise liner from San Diego via the South Pacific Islands - only one thing be swelling there bro

[7-Eleven]

jeezus Mr 'International hardman' is just a pussy!

 

Yes thats right... you are what you eat

[Evil Penevil]

If you're faced with especially long flights, like the 17 1/2 hour non-tsop between New York and BKK, you can use special compression socks that counteract ankle swelling. But walking around the cabin and doing leg lifts is the best way on shorter flights.

 

Evil

[deadman]

Extract from Wikipedia

 

The Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis

 

DVT is most common in the lower limbs, whereby pain, swelling and discoloration of the affected region may occur. The leg may also show a congestion of superficial veins.

Thats why it's important to take regular walks around the cabin of the aircraft and do those excercises they advise you to do.

that almost sums it up ihm!

 

jeezus Mr 'International hardman' is just a pussy!

 

pussy is not the right term for him!

[prilla]

gravitational oedema - either get your feet up, wear flight socks or do exercises/walk to ease syptoms

[Ozarkbuddy]

I could hardly walk when I got to Bangkok,Felt like my right leg was half num with a bad pain runing down from my hip to my feet.It realy messed up my 2 weeks in Pat.You guys probly saw me limping around Soi 8.Now a month laster I can walk with out a limp,But it still hurts a little.Next trip I will be walking all over the airplane every hour.

[Shuggy]

I had some reasonably serious surgery on one of my legs several months ago. I spoke to my surgeon about long flights and he told me to do he folowing.

 

Take one asprin every day for a week before travel and one just before boarding. This will thin the blood a little and help in preventing clotting.

 

Wear flight socks or tubi-grips on the legs up to the knee only.

 

Walk around every hour or so or just do some leg exercises in your seat.

 

Dont drink alcohol on the flight.

[Rob MacDuff]

Medical doc here:

 

Most ankle swelling is not a blood clot (DVT). The veins and lymphatics drain fluid from the legs and in all of us when we get only they don't work as well. Walking around on a flight allows the muscles to help with mobilizing some of that fluid and compression stocking provide some pressure. I'm not a big fan of most medications as they tend to try to reduce total body fluid which is usually not the problem and it leads to dehydration and electrolyte problems. Ironically the dehydration may contribute to a DVT.

 

That said, if you develop a SINGLE leg that all of a sudden becomes swollen and (important) painful after a period of immobility that may very well be a DVT and you should get it check out right away. An ultrasound and sometimes (depending on your risk factors) a blood test may be enough to make sure you are safe.

 

Rob

[7-Eleven]

Check you out Rob.... you got all the info nailed there mate!

[ra1nman]

Medical doc here:

 

Most ankle swelling is not a blood clot (DVT). The veins and lymphatics drain fluid from the legs and in all of us when we get only they don't work as well. Walking around on a flight allows the muscles to help with mobilizing some of that fluid and compression stocking provide some pressure. I'm not a big fan of most medications as they tend to try to reduce total body fluid which is usually not the problem and it leads to dehydration and electrolyte problems. Ironically the dehydration may contribute to a DVT.

 

That said, if you develop a SINGLE leg that all of a sudden becomes swollen and (important) painful after a period of immobility that may very well be a DVT and you should get it check out right away. An ultrasound and sometimes (depending on your risk factors) a blood test may be enough to make sure you are safe.

 

Rob

 

Thanks for the info - I was told the same thing when I had a broken fibula playing (American) football. The calf muscle tends to act as a pump for the all the interstitial and lymphatic fluids in the legs. When you don't use your legs for a while there will be buildup.

[M_T]

this is just simple edema and it happens to a lot of people. keep yourself hydrated, walk around, massage your legs, and if it happens take a diuretic (a water pill) and it should go away in a day or two.

 

This is not the same thing as deep vein thrombosis, but strangely can be prevented in the same way.

[Loso4ever]

Walking up and down the cabin, do a little bit of exercise and drink enough fluids would make you feel much better.

Don`t drink too much beer as you`re on the flight, because that would only do more harm than any good.

Read and look at the other posts here and it would be allright.

[Posankka]

How about move your legs around and get up every couple of hours....

 

I make trans pacific trips about once every two months from the US.....I've never needed any special socks or such things...i just move my legs around frequently and get up out of my seat every 2 hours or so

[cinnamon kid]

could be just bad circalation if your not on any medication,the herb gotu kola is good for circalation,but like everybody says keep moving and keep drinking water.

[lewis]

My feet do the same if i take my shoes off for the flight and then try put them back on. I can not fit them back on without a struggle!

[Panudate]

My feet and ankles always swell up in Thailand due to the heat, my hands do too.

 

Soon as I return home to the cold they go back to normal

[burd1691]

Thanks fellas this is very informational it never happened to me but now i know not ta sleep the whole way thru the flight from bkk to nyc

[Questner]

When you sleep after the flight put a pillow under you feet. Don't tell me you never sleep in LOS. Anyway, it help after taking long walks and when you adjust to heat.

[juggy boy]

My last trip, my ankles swelled up pretty bad. I fly quit a bit and it had never happened before or since. Also happened to my friend on the return flight. No big deal as it went away after the first night of sleep. Just wondering.

i get it every time i fly to thailand always have. ive started to take me shoes off through the flight that helps a lot they swell a little bit but not as bad anymore, and remember to put ya shoes back on when you go for a piss in the toilet otherwise your stand in a load of piss on the floor that some dirty fucker has done

[cuthbert]

I cannot travel cattle class on long haul flights anymore . Short flights no problem , but makes LOS flights expensive for me .

 

Got tested for DVT a few years ago and was OK , but that was because only one leg swelled up .

 

Business or Enhanced Economy now , lots of leg room ,legs not swell up but wallet empties .

 

also cut down on the free drinks , get there without problems but have less to spend .

[rony1434]

Hi guys.

Last month i had a tour to europe and i got my checkin from http://www.checkmein.eu/, Its service is really good.

Earlier i faced many problems like standing for long time in queues and not getting my preferd seat.

[cheang]

I have to get up and walk to keep from swelling. Not to mention get out of that tiny seat!