My sister-in-law had her ankle re-aligned, they insert a tiny titianium rod, she also had a couple of hammer toes fixed and a bunion removed...this was six weeks ago and she is still very swollen, most patients are only swollen for a few weeks then able to wear a normal shoe. Her doctor told her she was retaining water and told her to cut back on liquids and salt, he also gave her a mild diuretic. We all find this odd (but were not doctors so...) anyways...if she were retaining water why would it be in one foot only and I understand cutting back on sodium, but don't you usually drink more water when retaining water to flush out your system???? Please if anyone has an answer we'd appreciate it.

Orthopedics is NOT my specialty, but I am wondering if her circulation has been compromised due to the surgery. That would explain the fluid being in just one ankle.

Yes, you want to drink water to flush your system, but if the kidneys or heart aren't working efficiently, some of that water can be retained. Thus being given the diuretic.

Thanks shel, I for some reason do not totally trust her doctor, he seems to do an awful lot of surgeries when I think that corrective shoes and other things might work just as well...but I'm not a foot doctor so.... Thanks again.