The older a person is, the higher the risk of developing degenerative and destructive changes, especially in the work of the musculoskeletal system. Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint is a disease that affects the cartilage and tissue of the joint in varying degrees of severity, and if left untreated, it will lead to disability. With the initial development of the pathology, the symptoms of the disease are weakly expressed, and its presence can be determined only with the help of X-rays.
What is ankle osteoarthritis
The disease, in which the articular cartilage and surrounding tissues are gradually destroyed, is called ankle arthrosis. The basis of the pathology is a degenerative-dystrophic process, and the inflammation is secondary. Ankle osteoarthritis has a wavy chronic course, with alternating exacerbations and remissions. The disease progresses gradually. The female and male populations suffer equally from osteoarthritis. With age, the probability of developing pathology increases sharply.
Symptoms
Diseases of the ankle joint periodically worsen. During remission of osteoarthritis, symptoms may not appear at all. Pathology develops without giving itself. The person feels moderate ankle pain with significant physical exertion, increased stiffness, and leg fatigue. As the pathology progresses, the pain becomes more pronounced, occurs at rest and intensifies at night.
When the deformity of the joint becomes visible, the range of motion in the ankle is reduced, and the characteristic sounds of cracking and clicking are heard when walking. Sometimes there is a curvature of the lower leg, the legs take on a valgus (X-shape) or varus (O-shape). Osteoarthritis of the ankle is characterized by initial pain that manifests itself at the beginning of the movement after a state of rest and disappears during walking.
Causes
Ankle osteoarthritis is divided into two groups: primary and secondary. The first arises for unknown reasons. Others develop due to unfavorable factors: inflammation, trauma, etc. In both cases, the pathology is based on metabolic disorders in the cartilage tissue. The main reasons for the development of secondary osteoarthritis:
- bone deformity (fractures) or ligament damage due to ankle injury;
- stretching of the joint capsule;
- pinching of the nerve endings of the lumbar spine;
- extra pounds;
- wearing uncomfortable shoes;
- prolonged joint load (intense sports, constant standing);
- diseases associated with metabolic disorders (gout, diabetes mellitus, estrogen deficiency during menopause and others);
- intervertebral hernias, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine and other conditions, accompanied by a disorder of the lower leg, muscular apparatus or nerve entrapment.
Degree of disease
There are three stages of ankle osteoarthritis, which are determined by hardware diagnostics:
- And degree - pathological changes are not noticeable, there is a narrowing of the ankle joint, compaction of the talus;
- II degree - swelling becomes a consequence of disease progression, painful sensations appear over time, leg mobility decreases, joint deformity is noted;
- III degree - there is a loss of cushioning properties of the joint, ossification of cartilage, foot deformity leads to disability.
Possible consequences
Disability can be determined for a patient with arthrosis of the ankle, because complete destruction of the joint leads to limited motor activity. For that, the patient needs to undergo a medical examination. Categories of patients for whom disability can be determined:
- patients with progressive osteoarthritis who have been ill for more than 3 years with exacerbations at least 3 times a year;
- patients who have undergone joint surgery and have life restrictions;
- patients with severe impairment of static-dynamic function.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of "grade 2 arthrosis" (or any other stage) is made on the basis of a survey, visual examination and laboratory results. X-rays play a crucial role. In the most advanced stages, deforming osteoarthritis and cystic formations in the bone area are detected. In severe cases, the patient is referred for an ankle CT scan to more accurately assess bone structures. An MRI of the ankle can be done to examine the soft tissue.
Treatment of ankle osteoarthritis
Therapy of the affected joint in posttraumatic arthrosis is carried out according to the general scheme. Comprehensive treatment includes:
- elimination of pain symptoms;
- removal of the inflammatory process;
- restoring joint mobility;
- improvement of trophic processes;
- restoration of normal blood circulation in the limb:
- replacement of the joint with artificial prostheses (if necessary).
Medications
Drug therapy is selected taking into account the signs of the disease and the stage of the disease. During the period of worsening, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets or injections are used. Along with them, it is recommended to take local anesthetic drugs in the form of gels or ointments. With pronounced feelings of pain, corticosteroid medications are prescribed for intraarticular blockades. Their introduction is done no more than 4 times a year. In order to normalize the metabolism in the cartilage tissue, drugs of the chondroprotective group are prescribed.
Fats
Topical medications will not be able to cure osteoarthritis or cross-osteoarthritis of the ankle, but will speed recovery and prevent the disease from recurring. Among the effective drugs are:
- Multicomponent homeopathic ointment intended for the treatment of inflammatory and dystrophic conditions of the musculoskeletal system. Apply 1-3 times a day in a thin layer on the affected area. The duration of the course is 2-4 weeks. Rarely, local skin reactions occur: urticaria, tingling, itching, development of dermatitis.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with analgesic effect. Apply in a small dose to the affected joints 3 times a day. The doctor prescribes the course of treatment individually. On average, such ointments are used until the pain disappears, but not more than 14 days in a row.
Physiotherapy
The following physiotherapeutic methods will help suspend ankle osteoarthritis:
- Medium wave ultraviolet radiation. Under the influence of ultraviolet waves, substances that reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings accumulate in the affected area, which enables quick relief of the pain syndrome.
- Infrared laser therapy. The laser reduces the sensitivity of the nerve roots, improves the process of blood circulation. The procedure relieves the patient from the stress he suffered due to constant joint pain.
Diet
For inflammatory diseases of the knee joints, bone tissue and ankle ligaments, a special diet is indicated. It is necessary to include jellies, meat jellies and edible gelatin in the diet, because these products are natural chondroprotectors that restore cartilage tissue. Complex carbohydrates (vegetables, fruits, whole grain breads), milk proteins (cottage cheese, cheese), vitamin and mineral complexes must be on the menu. For better assimilation of food, food must be steamed or boiled.
Physical exercises
After studying the x-ray, the doctor may prescribe therapeutic exercises. Special ankle exercises will help you get rid of pain, relieve muscle tension and restore blood circulation. Examples of exercises for exercise therapy:
- sitting on a chair, socks and heels alternately separate from the floor;
- the toes rest on the floor, the heel rises and makes circular motions;
- the legs are together, the leg extending all the way to the hips of the body.
Massage
The procedure for arthrosis of the joint differs in various and multi-stage techniques. The purpose of the massage is to improve the lymphatic and blood circulation in the muscles of the feet of the joint cavity, to eliminate the poor mobility of the ankle joint. To relax the muscles, first massage the ankle with kneading and smoothing techniques. Then the toes are massaged, then the foot and heel are kneaded. Finish the procedure with deep work on the ankle joints.
Surgery
If conservative therapy for osteoarthritis has not brought positive results, the prescribing doctor prescribes surgical treatment. Among the operational methods are considered the best:
- Ankle endoprosthesis. An ultramodern ceramic or metal prosthesis has been partially or completely replaced at the site of cartilage destruction.
- Ankle arthrodesis. It is prescribed for serious destruction of joint surfaces. During the operation, the bones are firmly fixed by their internal connection.
Traditional methods
Village recipes come to the aid of complex therapy of ankle joints for osteoarthritis:
- Chalk and kefir. Mix the two ingredients into a paste. Apply this mixture to a sore joint at night to relieve swelling.
- Butter and primrose root. Mix the ingredients in a 10: 1 ratio and rub into the sore joint overnight to relieve the pain.
Prevention of ankle osteoarthritis
To reduce the risk of developing ankle osteoarthritis, it is necessary to adhere to preventive measures that include:
- weight control;
- proper nutrition;
- wearing comfortable shoes without high heels;
- avoiding joint injuries;
- timely treatment of endocrine and vascular diseases;
- regular performance of gymnastics for the ankle.
Photo of ankle osteoarthritis
