Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAre Cankles Unhealthy?Cankles vs. Non-CanklesCausesTreatmentToning Calves
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Are Cankles Unhealthy?
Cankles vs. Non-Cankles
Causes
Treatment
Toning Calves
“Cankle"is a nonmedical term first used in 2001. It describes a thick orwide anklewithout clear definition from the lower calf.Cankles (a combination of “calves” and “ankles”) is not a medical condition on its own. Like any other physical feature, the appearance of calves and ankles varies. For some people, cankles are normal and require no treatment.
This article will discuss what cankles are, what causes them, when treatment is warranted, and what can be done about them.
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How Do Cankles Look, and Are They Unhealthy?
Cankles mean that the bottom of the calves and the ankles blend together to appear as one. This can be just how your legs and ankles naturally look due to your genetics and development, and it’s not necessarily an unhealthy or dangerous condition. People across the spectrum of body weight may have cankles.
If yourankles have recently become swollen, you could have a problem that needs medical attention. Along with your ankles, this swelling could also affect your feet, legs, or other parts of your body.
What Is Edema
Typical ankles taper off from the calf, giving a more noticeable distinction between the two areas. Cankles have a more continuous appearance straight through, making it less obvious where the calf ends and the ankle begins.
Cankles do not necessarily mean there is something medically wrong, but they could have a medical cause, such as:
What Causes Cankles?
Cankles resulting fromedemacan have a number of causes.
Predisposition
Edema may be more likely in people who:
Situational or Lifestyle
Swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs could have situational or lifestyle causes, such as:
Medications
Some medications may cause swelling, such as:
Don’t stop taking your medication or change your treatment plan without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Injury or Infection
Edema in the ankle, foot, or leg could result from:
Medical Condition
Sometimes,ankle, foot, or leg swellingcan indicate a larger medical problem, such as:
Temporary Swelling vs. Cankles
If you aren’t sure if your ankle swelling is problematic, talk to your healthcare provider.
Call 911 (or local emergency number) if you:
Call your healthcare provider right away if you:
Goal of Cankles Treatment
If you have excess body fat, weight loss may also help (although people of a healthy weight may also have cankles). But know that you can’t simply lose weight in just one part of your body. Talk to a healthcare provider about whether excess weight may be affecting other conditions, whether weight loss is recommended, and the best way to achieve it.
If your cankles have a medical cause, in addition to treating the underlying medical issue, your healthcare provider may prescribe a medication called adiuretic(water pill). This can help your body get rid of salt and extra fluid through your urine.
Self-Care for Ankle and Foot Swelling
If your swelling is not part of a serious medical condition, there are measures you can take to helpreduce the swelling, including:
If these tips don’t help, see your healthcare provider.
How to Tone Legs With Cankles
Sports and exercise activities that involve running and jumping are also good for toning calves. You might enjoy basketball, volleyball, soccer, or jumping rope. Be sure to start any new activity gradually and progressively build your time, intensity, and endurance to prevent injury.
If you have underlying health conditions, talk to a healthcare provider before starting a new exercise program.
Summary
“Cankle” (a combination of “calf” and “ankle”) is a nonmedical term that describes the appearance of the calf and ankle being one unit instead of clearly defined. Cankles that are your natural appearance are normal, pose no danger, and don’t need to be treated.
Treatment for cankles depends on the underlying cause. For swelling not related to major health problems, home measures, such as elevating feet and exercising legs, can help reduce swelling. If warranted, a healthcare provider may prescribemedicationsto flush out extra fluid or compression stockings to help reduce swelling.
13 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.
Merriam-Webster.Cankle.
Keck Medicine of USC.6 possible reasons why you have swollen feet, ankles or legs.
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Causes and signs of edema.
MedlinePlus.Foot, leg, and ankle swelling.
Nemours KidsHealth.Can pregnant women do anything to reduce or prevent swollen ankles?
American Academy of Family Physicians.Edema.
National Health Service.Swollen ankles, feet and legs (oedema).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding blood clots infographic.
MedlinePlus.Warning signs and symptoms of heart disease.
MyHealth Alberta.Leg and ankle edema: care instructions.
National Health Services.How long should I wear compression stockings to improve my circulation?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Foot and ankle conditioning program.
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