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Ankle osteoarthritis

ankle arthritis

Osteoarthritis of the ankle is a degenerative dystrophic pathological disorder characterized by the progressive destruction of cartilage, joints and adjacent bone structures, as well as ligaments and even muscles, resulting in impaired mobility and even disability of thepatient. The reason for the development of such a pathology may be a traumatic injury, in which post-traumatic arthritis of the ankle joint develops, metabolic disorders in the body or some inflammatory diseases.

Don't heal yourself. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor.

The diagnosis of pathology is established taking into account the patient's complaints, as well as on the basis of the results of the x-ray examination and ultrasound. It is necessary to treat the disease mainly conservatively and only in severe (neglected) cases surgical intervention is indicated.

The disease has a chronic undulating course, in which periods of exacerbation alternate with periods of calm, but the progression of the pathology, even in the absence of symptoms, therefore continues, over time the ankle is completelydestroyed if processing is not carried out. Most often, the elderly suffer from osteoarthritis, due to the body's natural metabolic processes, but there are other reasons for the development of osteoarthritis.

Causes

In medical practice, there are two types of osteoarthritis: primary and secondary. The primary develops as an independent pathology, for no apparent reason. Secondary is the result of any unwanted effects, for example, traumatic injury.

The main causes of the onset of the disease can be as follows:

  • Diabetes;
  • thyroid disease;
  • overweight;
  • persistent microtrauma which may occur in people who exercise or regularly walk in high heels;
  • rheumatic pathologies;
  • traumatic injuries in this area (fracture, dislocation);
  • inflammatory processes that develop as a result of such diseases as gout, arthritis;
  • hereditary metabolic disorders resulting in thinning of tissues.
healthy osteoarthritis of the joints and ankle

Sometimes the disease occurs in children, and its causes can be:

  • tissue dysplasia;
  • congenital anomalies;
  • thyrotoxicosis;
  • trauma;
  • inflammatory joint diseases.

Degrees and symptoms

Osteoarthritis of the ankle of course has three degrees, which determine the symptoms of the disease. It is important to remember that the disease develops gradually. Therefore, disorders of the joint will be at first insignificant, and then more and more pronounced. At the same time, the changes that have arisen are already incorrigible, and the treatment of pathology at one stage or another will be only to prevent the progression of the disease.

In the first degree of the disease, the tissue thins, and this does not occur over the entire surface, but in separate parts - specific islets are formed.

The first degree disease is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • excessive fatigue with prolonged stress on the legs;
  • discomfort in the joint area after walking on heels;
  • minor pain that goes away with rest.

X-ray or ultrasound examination does not reveal any pathological changes in the joint. Therefore, at this stage, doctors cannot make a diagnosis.

At the first stage of the disease, it can be treated at home with folk remedies - first of all, refuse to wear shoes with heels, lose weight (if necessary), do exercise therapy and also usefolk methods, which will be discussed below.

With the second degree of the pathological process in those areas where the tissue has thinned, the load falls on the underlying bone. As a result, it develops by forming osteophytes, which damage healthy areas of cartilage tissue located in front of or near it. The symptoms of the second degree of osteoarthritis are already more obvious, they are:

  • pain with less stress, which does not go away immediately after stopping it;
  • the appearance of nocturnal pain that disturbs the quality of sleep;
  • limitation of joint mobility in the morning (it takes some time for it to work);
  • joint response to weather conditions.

In the third degree, deforming osteoarthritis of the ankle joint develops. During this period, the tissues of the whole joint become thinner, just like the bone structures, the muscles on the one hand are stretched too much and on the other hand they contract spasms, trying to maintain the joint. in the right position. Symptoms of the third degree of a pathology such as deforming osteoarthritis of the ankle joint are associated with a complete violation of its mobility and severe pain:

  • severe pain that does not stop even at rest;
  • in the morning, the joint requires long-term development, even to perform minimal movements;
  • cracking sensation;
  • the need to take pain relievers for pain relief;
  • restriction or even complete impairment of mobility in the affected area.

A pathology such as traumatic osteoarthritis of the ankle joint is characterized by other symptoms:

  • swelling and redness in the affected area;
  • local temperature rise;
  • crunchy or crackling.
ankle swelling with osteoarthritis

Diagnosis and treatment

A decisive role in the diagnosis of the disease is attributed to the x-ray examination. However, it is important that the doctor listens to the patient's complaints, which can allow him to make a diagnosis at an early stage. , when the radiographic changes are not visible. In severe cases, the patient is referred for a CT scan or MRI of the ankle.

Treatment for ankle osteoarthritis depends on the stage of the disease. At the initial stage, it is enough to change the lifestyle and the correct engine speed. Massage and exercise therapy will help at this point, which will improve blood circulation. If we talk about treatment with folk remedies that can be used at home, it can reduce pain and relieve the inflammatory process. These folk remedies that anyone can use at home are:

  • rub olive oil into the affected area in the morning;
  • the use of burdock leaves in the form of attachments to the painful joint overnight;
  • prepare comfrey ointment and rub it on the affected area twice a day;
  • take mumiyo inside in tablet form and rub it into the affected joint.

There are other alternative treatment methods, but it is important to remember that they are not a panacea for the disease and only their complex use with drug therapy, diet, exercise therapy andan appropriate way of life will stop the progress of destruction.

If we are talking about the treatment of osteoarthritis of the ankle joint with drugs, then this is the use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. In addition, patients are prescribed chondroprotectors that protect the joint for a long time (at least six months).

To improve the nutrition of the affected joint, the use of vascular drugs such as niacin is indicated. Treatment with hyaluronic acid is considered effective, and in some cases a single administration of hormones is required.

It is also necessary to treat the disease in combination with physiotherapy methods. Are shown special exercises for osteoarthritis of the ankle joint, which in each case are selected by a physiotherapist. It is very important that gymnastics with arthrosis of the ankle joint does not cause pain to the patient, but at the same time the person should feel some discomfort, otherwise the procedure will be ineffective.

Among other physiotherapeutic methods it is shown:

  • magnetotherapy;
  • laser therapy;
  • phonophoresis;
  • thermal procedures and certain other types of exposure.

Surgery for this disease is indicated only in severe cases when the joint is completely destroyed. Often patients have joint prostheses, which return their limbs to mobility, but other surgical techniques are also used - the doctor makes the choice taking into account the patient's condition.