Pitting Ankle Edema After 12 Hour Shifts?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am transitioning from the 8 hour clinical days during school to the 12+ hour days in the real world. Yesterday marked the first time I worked three shifts in a row. When I got home, I noticed that my feet (mainly my ankles) were very swollen. I just thought something along the lines of "Oh, man, I need to buy some support stockings... It'll go down overnight."

Of course, it didn't disappear overnight. It looks much better, but my ankles are still noticeably swollen, and when I started pressing it I realized it was pitting around 2-3+. I have just been home propping my feet up to try to help, but I'm freaking out a little inside my head. So my question is... Is this normal (or common) in nurses? Or should I start worrying about some possible outside health issue?

As you know we can't give medical advice. But no it's not normal to pit. Give your Doc a call just for safety's sake.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Exactly what Neglow said. We can't provide medical advice. Take care.

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