Plane Travel One Swollen Ankle Not Going Down After Months (airlines, ideas)

[cully]

Thought I might catch a wealth of knowledge from experienced plane travellers here.

A friend travelled by plane a long distance. Wore the appropriate socks, was given slippers, walked on the plane, etc. His ankles swelled but soon the swelling went down shortly after deplaning.

On the way home, same scenario. Except this time one ankle swelling went down, the other did not. It has been about three months. Yes, 3 months now.

He has been to a couple of doctors who found nothing wrong physically. No clots, heart good, pulse in foot good, etc.

Any ideas for what could be wrong and what can be done?

Thanks.

[cully]

P.S. Friend is active, not sedentary, middle aged and slender. Doctors...and now specialists cannot figure out what it could be. There must be something we haven't thought of.

[JoeCollege]

Obviously there is something wrong physically. I'd go to another doctor. This really isn't a travel question.

[cully]

Yeah, thought I might find someone with some tricks they tried that worked since this is not uncommon in air travel. This guy has gone to docs, specialists, nothing they can find wrong, no clots. Very healthy person. Very active. Wondering if this would be onne of those stories we've read about where it's the end of the line with doctors and people start reaching out online and people with similar experiences share what they've done....and it's been accurate.

Someone suggested that the active person might concentrate on ankle activity. Another direction to go in. Maybe a specialist in sports medicine.

Thanks.

[Ghengis]

you could have your friend try chewing some gum that sometimes helps me when I fly with my ears popping and the pressure changing.

[old_cold]

Was your friend prescribed any "water pills"?
This is a question better suited to the Health forum although the danger of edema and cautions about it are suitable here.
I can tell you my husband was just told that the edema that may very well have been from or contributed to by, our last lengthy car trip south may not ever go away completely.

[cully]

This is the kind of info from experienced travelers I was hoping for. I don't know how he'll prepare for his next long distance plane trip. But it helped just knowing this is not all that unusual. Thanks.

[Jkgourmet]

Have him try asking doctors about lymphadema. Which can be easily treated with a pressure sock.

[old_cold]

There are certain sitting leg/feet stretching movements that can be done more frequently since those susceptible to edema don't get up up and walk around as often as they should.
Qantas has a good description as well as other suggestions
Inflight Health and Wellness | Qantas

[cully]

Thanks all. Great info.