Will I live? Fluid in the tissue under the skin is known as “oedema”. When pressed firmly with a thumb, it indents, hence “‘pitting oedema”. If your swelling is simply chubby-leg syndrome, the result will be discomfort when the doctor presses, but no indentation.

Oedema has a huge number of causes, many of them harmless. The most common include pregnancy and air travel. In the former, the foetus impedes the return of blood from the legs; in the latter, immobility means that the calf muscles fail to pump fluid back into the circulation. Both are normal and transient.

Other insignificant causes include varicose veins, medications’ side-effects and being overweight. Occasionally, though, ankle swelling can be the result of serious disease.

Affecting only one ankle, it may arise from infection or thrombosis. If it occurs on both sides, it may be due to heart failure, renal problems, liver disease or abdominal tumours.

Bullshit factor? Low. Doctors don’t go anywhere near your feet just for fun.