What's so bad about cankles on healthy, well-functioning legs? Oh, well. "Cankles" is a word combining calves and ankles that is used to describe ankles that are chubby and lack definition. Cankles are simply a genetic variation on normal.  If you are overweight, then weight loss may help to remove a bit of stored fat from your ankles, and some women get ankle liposuction, but that is extreme. Exercises such as calf raises that build and shape the calf muscles can make the ankles look smaller.  The doctor that cares for your knee problems can tell you  which exercises are best. But, ultimately, most women camouflage their cankles under long pants and skirts.