Cankles. We have all heard this term before and it isn’t particularly flattering. The informal word itself comes from combining the two words Calf + Ankle = “Cankle”. According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of cankle is “A wide or thick ankle that appears indistinguishable from the calf.”  It is a fairly common feature or condition that affects many people and, for some, it is a source of great insecurity.

So where do Cankles come from? The answer to that is not so straightforward. There are actually many reasons, some with serious medical concerns, that a person may have or develop cankles.

Let’s start with the simple and benign answer: Genetics. If you have family members with the genetic predisposition to have larger calves and ankles, the chances that you will end up with the same frame and build are likely. Also, if you are overweight, that will only exacerbate the issue and potentially worsen the appearance. However, if you have cankles, are at a healthy weight and have no related medical concerns (see below) the best option to assist you in the reduction of the size of your ankles is liposuction.

*We will go over more detailed information on that procedure in a future article.

 Before running to your computer to find the name of reputable liposuction providers, let’s cover the other reasons someone might have Cankles that may have medical implications behind them.

According to MedicineNet, Cankles can be a sign of any of the following conditions:

Obesity: Weight gain can cause fat to accumulate all over the body, including the feet and the ankle.

 Injury to the leg, feet, or ankle: Injuries to the leg may cause leakage of blood from the blood vessels and result in local swelling.

 Pregnancy: Foot and ankle swelling is a common symptom during pregnancy. However, if you suffer from blood pressure or you are experiencing lightheadedness, headaches, and shortness of breath, you may have a serious condition known as preeclampsia. Preeclampsia leads to highly elevated blood pressures that can harm your child.

 Lipedema: Lipedema is the enlargement of both the legs of the body due to the deposition of fat under the skin. The skin bruises easily and the swelling is painful.

 Lymphedema: Problems in the lymphatic system results in the improper drainage of lymph from the body. This can manifest in the form of swelling anywhere in the body, including the arms and legs extending to the feet and ankles.

 Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Deep vein thrombosis is the obstruction of the deep veins of one or both legs with one or more blood clots. It results in swelling and reddening of the legs. If the condition is left untreated, then it can lead to pulmonary embolism due to the lodging of the blood clot in the lungs.

 Varicose veins: You may get cankles due to a condition, such as varicose veins, where the valves of the blood vessels become weak causing the pooling of blood in the legs. The pooling of blood may lead to cankles.

 Congestive heart failure: In congestive heart failure, there is a weakening of the heart that causes it to pump the blood less efficiently. This causes fluid buildup in the blood vessels of the leg. The fluids leak from the blood vessels results in cankles. This is a serious health condition. If you suffer from shortness of breath as well, call 911 urgently.

 Liver disease: A disease like liver cirrhosis causes a decrease in body protein (albumin) levels. Without enough albumin, the fluid leaks out of the blood vessels and causes swelling in the legs, arms, and face.

 Kidney disease: Your kidneys filter the blood and remove waste materials from your body in the form of urine. When you have a kidney disease that hampers its function, the waste materials buildup in the blood vessels. This results in swelling of the whole body beginning from the ankles, feet, and face.

Air travel: Sitting in flights for a prolonged time can cause your feet and legs to swell. However, if the swelling does not recede once you resume your activities after getting down from the flight, it may indicate some health conditions, such as DVT or a heart problem.

Medications: Certain medications can cause swelling of the legs, including the feet and ankles.

In conclusion, while having Cankles may be aesthetically problematic for you, it is important to consider why you have them before deciding how to address them. We encourage you to set up a consultation with a doctor to be evaluated and then discuss your options to achieve a smaller, more visually pleasing ankle.