Here are some tips that may help reduce foot, leg, and ankle swelling:
Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down.
Exercise your legs. This helps pump fluid from your legs back to your heart.
Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling.
Wear support stockings (sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores).
When traveling, take breaks often to stand up and move around.
Avoid wearing tight clothing or garters around your thighs.
Lose weight if you need to.
According to MedlinePlus, abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs can cause swelling. This fluid buildup and swelling is called edema.
Foot, leg, and ankle swelling is common when the person also:
Is overweight
Has a blood clot in the leg
Is older
Has a leg infection
Has veins in the legs that cannot properly pump blood back to the heart
Injury or surgery involving the leg, ankle, or foot can also cause swelling. Swelling may also occur after pelvic surgery, especially for cancer.
Long airplane flights or car rides, as well as standing for long periods of time, often lead to some swelling in the feet and ankles.
Swelling may occur in women who take estrogen, or during parts of the menstrual cycle. Most women have some swelling during pregnancy. More severe swelling during pregnancy may be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition that includes high blood pressure and swelling.
Check out some Tips for Healthy Feet from the American Podiatric Medical Association.