Swollen ankles and legs can be benign (heat, prolonged standing) or serious (DVT, heart failure, kidney disease). At Mascot Healthcare, Akoka, we assess leg swelling systematically — blood tests, urine for protein, and venous Doppler scan where indicated. Walk-in from ₦5,000.
One-sided leg swelling, warmth, and redness after travel, surgery, pregnancy, or prolonged immobility — DVT until proven otherwise. A venous Doppler scan at Mascot Healthcare confirms or excludes DVT the same day. Anticoagulation is started immediately if confirmed.
Both legs swollen (bilateral pitting oedema) points to a systemic cause: heart failure (most common in hypertensive Nigerians), kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome — urine protein test is the key test), liver disease (cirrhosis — low albumin), or nutritional (protein deficiency). Blood tests and urine protein distinguish these.
Incompetent leg vein valves allow blood to pool — causing visible varicose veins, ankle swelling, skin discolouration, and leg aching. A venous Doppler scan grades the severity and guides management.
Non-pitting swelling — the skin does not indent on pressure — suggests lymphatic rather than venous cause. May follow surgery, radiotherapy, infection, or be primary (congenital).
Mild bilateral ankle swelling at the end of a hot Lagos day, or after prolonged standing, is often benign and resolves with leg elevation. Persistent or one-sided swelling warrants investigation.
Walk-in at Mascot Healthcare, Akoka. DVT assessment + Doppler scan available. From ₦5,000.