Ankle osteoarthritis can occur at any age.Dystrophic changes lead to gradual immobilization of the joint.Treatment at the first stage gives a positive result;Neglect of the process can be corrected with the help of surgery.
The ankle is one of the movable joints of the lower extremity that plays an important role in walking.Physiologically, it is designed in such a way that a malfunction in one of the joints results in a pathological effect on neighboring components.
The disease itself destroys connective and bone tissue.Osteoarthritis deforms the joint, makes it immobile and can lead to a complete loss of motor skills.
Pathogenesis of ankle osteoarthritis
One of the complex, block-shaped joints in humans connects the fibula and tibia of the leg to the talus of the foot.The anatomical structure allows the joint to move in multiple planes, performing not only abduction forward, backward and sideways, but also easily performing circular movements.
Degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the ankle often do not only occur in old age.Provoking factors may contribute to the development of the disease and overlap with the underlying causes.Osteoarthritis of the ankle leads to serious health problems and affects the patient's ability to work.
The initial stage of the disease is characterized by pathological processes that destroy the cartilage layer, making it thin and inelastic.
Such a structural change entails a restructuring of all components:
- the joint space between the bone heads becomes narrower;
- Synovial fluid changes its chemical composition and thickens;
- the inner lining of the joint capsule becomes inflamed;
- the subarchid bone layer becomes denser and grows;
- If the disease progresses for a long time, osteophytes (bone growths) appear;
- the joint is deformed.
The entire process takes a long time.The initial phase is dangerous due to the smoothness of symptoms.Through early diagnosis, initial changes can be stopped while maintaining the full functionality of the movable joint.
In later stages, with significant deformities and the ineffectiveness of conservative treatment, surgical replacement of the affected joint is recommended.
Causes of pathology
Osteoarthritis of the ankle occurs when the following factors occur:
- With increasing age, pathological changes begin in the body, which trigger the process of destruction of the movable bone joints.People over 50 years of age may be at risk, especially if the person leads an unhealthy lifestyle or has comorbidities.
- With the appearance of extra pounds, the load increases, which leads to excessive pressure on the joint.The leg in the foot area begins to deform and at the same time the cartilage tissue, which acts as a natural shock absorber, wears out.
- Intense physical activity during work or sports training.The joint is regularly exposed to increased pressure, which has a physiologically destructive effect.
- Injuries to the ankle joint (fractures, dislocations, sprains, bruises) of varying degrees.Mechanical impacts with the occurrence of microtraumas change the course of self-renewal processes in the joint.
- Lowering of the arch of the foot that occurs at birth or is acquired throughout life.Incorrect load distribution during movement and impaired spring function are compensated for by the neighboring joint, the ankle joint.
- Congenital deformities, without the necessary treatment, lead to adverse consequences for the body, including degenerative changes in joint tissue.
- Ankle osteoarthritis can be a direct result of wearing the wrong shoes, which cause the foot to misalign when walking.High heels, insufficient fullness of the model, complete lack of heels, uncomfortable lasts, mismatched shoe sizes “kill” your feet.
- Decreased muscle tone due to a sedentary lifestyle.
- There is a genetic predisposition.If relatives have been diagnosed with a pathology, the person puts himself at great risk by not following the rules of prevention.
- Autoimmune diseases cause osteoarthritis.The basis of this group of diseases is the body's self-destruction by its own cells.
- Metabolic disorders affect the joints and lead to a lack of “building material” in the form of microelements.
- Pathologies that occur with malfunction of the endocrine glands: diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and others.
- Hormonal disorders during body restructuring in older women.
Signs of the disease
Osteoarthritis of the ankle has a hidden origin.The symptoms are not clearly noticeable, so the patient may not pay attention to the unpleasant sensations in the pelvic area during active movements.The first stage is discovered randomly;A person does not seek medical help during this period.
In the early stages, pain occurs in the ankle area when running fast, taking long walks and jumping.After rest, the pain disappears and does not bother the patient at rest.The stage of dystrophic cartilage changes lasts years;In the next stage, ankle osteoarthritis affects the bone layer.
In the second phase of osteoarthritis, a clicking noise occurs when the foot is moved, and the pain increases with strain.When you wake up in the morning, there is a slight stiffness in the joint, which disappears after a short walk.
As the process worsens, the joint begins to deform.The patient develops a barely noticeable lameness in the affected leg, the body tries to adapt physiologically to the regular pain when moving.The ankle joint gradually becomes restricted in mobility.
If there is a significant narrowing of the joint space, the pain syndrome becomes regular.A change in the shape of the joint can be seen visually;For this reason, shortening of the diseased lower extremity is possible.
The advanced third stage of the ankle is characterized by severe crepitus and contracture of the joint.Pain in the ankle joint bothers you not only during the day, but also at night, when you sleep.A person cannot walk without rehabilitation equipment (canes, crutches, walkers), performance is impaired and this stage most often leads to disability.
At any stage of arthrosis, an inflammatory process may occur that develops on the inner surface of the joint capsule.
The symptoms are:
- throbbing pain in the area of the sore ankle;
- swelling of the soft tissues in the area of the inflamed bone joint;
- redness of the skin;
- local temperature increase.
How do you treat ankle osteoarthritis?
An orthopedist makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment.Treatment procedures, with the exception of joint injections and some physiotherapeutic procedures, are carried out on an outpatient basis.Therapeutic procedures are prescribed in combination and carried out in parallel to enhance the effect.
It is impossible to restore damaged tissue and correct deformation.The main task of treatment is to stop the disease process and maintain the condition of the composition at the same level, thereby preventing deterioration.Strict adherence to the doctor's recommendations will ensure the desired effect.
Treatment with medication
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the form of tablets or ointments for external use.NSAIDs have an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect at the same time.The dosage and treatment regimen are prescribed by a specialist, taking into account individual indicators.It is not recommended to take drugs of this pharmacological group alone;NSAIDs have many side effects, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Chondroprotectors replenish the joint with all the missing chemical elements, which stop the destruction process and restore the joint cells.To achieve a lasting therapeutic effect, it is necessary to take chondroprotectors for a long period of time.
- Glucocorticoids are used for developed inflammation.Hormonal medications are effective against acute pain, allergic reactions and inflammation.They can be injected intramuscularly or directly into the diseased joint to create a block.
Motor mode
Ankle osteoarthritis forces you to change your entire lifestyle.Physical activity should be measured.It is forbidden to overload the joint with long walks, intense physical activity or carrying weights.Active movements should alternate with rest;Prolonged static loading is prohibited.
To prevent ankle deterioration, it makes sense to wear correct orthopedic or anatomical shoes.To achieve a shock-absorbing effect, orthopedic insoles are used daily.
Preventive orthopedic bandages protect the joint from excessive stress and provide local compression and micromassage effects.If there are already injuries or the osteoarthritis is in a severe stage, orthoses with metal inserts that reliably fix the joint are primarily chosen.
Diet therapy
The principles of proper nutrition should form the basis of the diet of a person with joint diseases.
The following should be excluded from the menu:
- fatty meat and fish broths;
- smoked and sausage products;
- canned food and semi-finished products;
- sugar and confectionery;
- sweet carbonated drinks and coffee;
- alcoholic beverages;
- High fat mayonnaise and sour cream.
You need to eat in small portions to monitor your weight and avoid extra pounds.These measures prevent additional strain on the joints and ensure that the joint cells are supplied with the necessary substances in sufficient quantities.
Therapeutic exercise
Physical exercises for therapeutic purposes should be present during joint destructuring.The exercise therapy complex is compiled by a specialist - physiotherapy teacher.With correct technique and therapeutically dosed loading in the area of the affected ankle, blood circulation improves, muscle tone increases and the range of motion increases.
In order for classes to bring only benefits, you need to remember when you cannot do physiotherapy:
- acute phase, accompanied by inflammation;
- the appearance of pain during exercises in the ankle area;
- Movements, number of repetitions and range of motion must be coordinated with the doctor.
To get good results you need to be patient.Regular exercise gently shapes the ankle joints.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
- Electrophoresis is prescribed to introduce medication into the patient's body using electric current.
- Exposure to pulsed magnetic current occurs in twenty procedures, followed by a two-month break.During the entire period of non-use of the magnet, the cumulative effect of the completed course remains.
- Infrared radiation is prescribed to the sore leg, which has a lasting anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect.
Folk remedies
The use of alternative medicine recipes made from available natural ingredients can be used for patients suffering from osteoarthritis.
- It is useful to apply crushed garlic with vegetable oil in a thin layer to the painful joint for 8 hours.An herbal anti-inflammatory helps reduce pain and inflammation.
- Raw potatoes are grated and used as compresses that are placed on the ankle.The product relieves swelling and relieves joint pain.
- The dry raw materials hops and St. John's wort are mixed spoonfuls and fifty milliliters of petroleum jelly are added to the resulting mass.The resulting ointment is applied to the sore spot in the morning and evening.
Surgical intervention for ankle osteoarthritis
The final stages of the disease, in which the joint is completely blocked, cannot be treated with conservative means.This fact is due to the fact that the deformation developed is irreversible.In this case, osteoarthritis of the ankle can only be treated surgically.
Therapy is based on replacing a worn-out joint with an artificial prosthesis, which allows a person to maintain independent movements and vital activities.Depending on the quality of the material from which it is made, the replaced connection will last more than ten years.
Preventive measures
Preventing an illness is always easier than treating it later.An active lifestyle without bad habits is the key to healthy joints.Maintaining an optimal weight at any age is useful not only for a beautiful appearance, but also for relieving the body of unwanted stress on all organs and systems.
A lot of attention needs to be paid to shoes:
- Models must have the correct anatomical shape;
- made from natural materials;
- The use of orthopedic insoles ensures the correct distribution of the load on the lower extremity.
- The size and fullness must fit the foot;
- Shoes should be appropriate for the season to prevent hypothermia, which negatively affects the joints.
At the first sign of ankle discomfort or pain when moving, you should see a doctor for an early diagnosis.If the pathology is detected in time, it can be easily treated, which allows you to avoid serious development and maintain a beautiful gait until old age.