Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMS and Swollen FeetTreatmentPreventionWhen to Seek Medical CareFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
MS and Swollen Feet
Treatment
Prevention
When to Seek Medical Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Swollen feet may be a side effect ofmultiple sclerosis (MS). This is mainly due to the effect that the condition has on a person’s mobility. But even if MS makes it hard for you to get around, there are things you can do to prevent and treat the swelling.
This article discusses why MS may cause swollen feet, how to treat it, and ways to prevent it from recurring.
Richard Jacyno / Getty Images
Why Does MS Cause Swollen Feet?
Multiple sclerosis significantly impacts mobility, requiring a person with this condition to often spend the majority of their day sitting or lying down. Due to lack of mobility, the muscles aren’t able to pump fluid back to the heart, causing swollen feet.
ComplicationsWhile swelling is typically due to loss of mobility and muscle weakness associated with MS, it can also be a sign of something more serious, such as a blood clot or heart issue.If swelling occurs, seek immediate medical attention.
Complications
While swelling is typically due to loss of mobility and muscle weakness associated with MS, it can also be a sign of something more serious, such as a blood clot or heart issue.If swelling occurs, seek immediate medical attention.
Treating Swollen Feet
There are several treatment options forswollen feetthat occur with multiple sclerosis. These include:
Elevate Your Legs
Elevating your legs will allow you to use gravity to your advantage and help move excess fluid from your feet back toward your heart. Ideally, elevate your feet higher than your heart for the best results.
If you’re lying down, prop a few pillows under your legs. If you’re sitting in a wheelchair, elevate your feet so that they are higher than your hips.
Wear Compression Stockings
Elastic stockings can help reduceedema(swelling) that develops throughout the day. Stockings should be put on first thing in the morning, when your legs are the least swollen, and removed for sleep. Most people may need knee-high compression stockings, and can try lower amounts of compression to start.
Walk Frequently
Sitting for long periods of time can contribute to swollen feet. Walk around for a few minutes every hour so your leg muscles can help pump fluid away from your feet.
Do Ankle Pumps
These exercises help contract the muscles in your calves to pump fluid back toward the heart. Point your toes down as far as you can, then pull your feet up toward you in the opposite direction. Pump your ankles 10 times each and perform this exercise every hour that you are sedentary. For best results, do this exercise with your legs elevated.
Preventing Swollen Feet
Home remedies to help treat swollen feet—elevation, compression stockings, walking, and ankle pump exercises—can also help prevent this side effect from occurring.
Pneumatic compression machines are also sometimes used—particularly if swelling happens frequently, or you don’t have use of your leg muscles.Inflatable sleeves are wrapped with Velcro around the lower legs, then filled with air to create pressure that helps move fluid back up toward your heart.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
See your healthcare provider if you havepitting edema—swelling that leaves an indentation when you press your finger against the skin on your feet—or if your current treatment methods aren’t working.
Summary
Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disorder that affects your brain and spinal cord. This condition often causes limited mobility and muscle weakness, which can lead to swollen feet. Treatments such as elevating your legs, wearing compression stockings, walking, practicing leg exercises, and using pneumatic compression devices can help.
A Word From Verywell
Talk to your healthcare provider if your feet remain swollen after elevating them for a few hours, or if other interventions are not working. Let your provider know if your swelling becomes pitted—leaving a “pit” or imprint of your finger when you press against your skin.
If you’ve got MS and your feet are swollen during the day, it’s possible that your swelling will decrease on its own overnight when your legs have been elevated for an extended period of time.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Advances and challenges in treating lymphedema: A Q and A with Dhruv Singhal, M.D.Multiple Sclerosis News Today.Lymphedema in multiple sclerosis.Frohman TC, Castro W, Shah A, et al.Symptomatic therapy in multiple sclerosis.Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2011;4(2):83-98. doi:10.1177/1756285611400658Toya K, Sasano K, Takasoh T, et al.Ankle positions and exercise intervals effect on the blood flow velocity in the common femoral vein during ankle pumping exercises.Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2016;28(2):685-688. doi:10.1589/jpts.28.685
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Advances and challenges in treating lymphedema: A Q and A with Dhruv Singhal, M.D.Multiple Sclerosis News Today.Lymphedema in multiple sclerosis.Frohman TC, Castro W, Shah A, et al.Symptomatic therapy in multiple sclerosis.Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2011;4(2):83-98. doi:10.1177/1756285611400658Toya K, Sasano K, Takasoh T, et al.Ankle positions and exercise intervals effect on the blood flow velocity in the common femoral vein during ankle pumping exercises.Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2016;28(2):685-688. doi:10.1589/jpts.28.685
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Advances and challenges in treating lymphedema: A Q and A with Dhruv Singhal, M.D.Multiple Sclerosis News Today.Lymphedema in multiple sclerosis.Frohman TC, Castro W, Shah A, et al.Symptomatic therapy in multiple sclerosis.Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2011;4(2):83-98. doi:10.1177/1756285611400658Toya K, Sasano K, Takasoh T, et al.Ankle positions and exercise intervals effect on the blood flow velocity in the common femoral vein during ankle pumping exercises.Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2016;28(2):685-688. doi:10.1589/jpts.28.685
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Advances and challenges in treating lymphedema: A Q and A with Dhruv Singhal, M.D.
Multiple Sclerosis News Today.Lymphedema in multiple sclerosis.
Frohman TC, Castro W, Shah A, et al.Symptomatic therapy in multiple sclerosis.Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2011;4(2):83-98. doi:10.1177/1756285611400658
Toya K, Sasano K, Takasoh T, et al.Ankle positions and exercise intervals effect on the blood flow velocity in the common femoral vein during ankle pumping exercises.Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2016;28(2):685-688. doi:10.1589/jpts.28.685
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