Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint is quite a serious disease that always requires a qualified approach to treatment. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to deal with this pathology. However, modern medicine offers effective means to reduce the level of existing inflammation and slow the progression of the disease.
What is a disease?
The ankle joint connects the lower leg to the talus of the foot. Basically, it moves along the front axis, providing foot flexion and extension. Lateral movements are characterized by a minimal amplitude.
Arthrosis of the ankle joint, whose symptoms and treatment are directly linked, is a process of sequential destruction of joint tissue. The pathology involves a violation of the usual structure of tissues, the death of part of the cartilage cells, the formation of cracks on its surface and the compaction of bones. If you do not take the prescribed medication for osteoarthritis of the joints, it is deformed and its normal functioning becomes really impossible.
The older the person, the more likely he is to develop degenerative-destructive changes in him. In this case, the musculoskeletal system is no exception. Approximately 10% of the world population over 40 years old suffers from osteoarthritis. In developed countries, the number of patients aged 65 and over ranges from 60 to about 80%.
Classification
The first stage of the disease is characterized by a direct narrowing of the joint space, the cartilage itself swells and softens. 2nd degree osteoarthritis is distinguished by the fact that microcracks form in the areas of greatest pressure on the joint heads and obvious protrusions in the places of lesser pressure. In the third and fourth stages, cartilage rupture occurs, followed by the formation of cysts, the growth of so-called bone calluses (osteophytes). As a result, the joint heads themselves flatten, which does not allow the foot to perform its usual movements.
main reasons
Very rarely, the disease is primary, that is, it occurs spontaneously. Most of the time it is secondary and is explained by the influence of several factors. The causes of ankle joint osteoarthritis can be as follows:
- Damage to the musculoskeletal system of the foot and to the joint itself (flat feet, hereditary connective tissue dysplasia).
- Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (dislocation, sprain, contusion).
- Inflammation of the immune nature.
- Infectious lesion.
- Various types of neurological disorders (osteochondrosis, neuritis).
- Metabolic pathologies (obesity, rickets, gout).
The causes of osteoarthritis of the ankle joint are usually in the constant wearing of high-heeled shoes. The unnatural location of the foot causes an increase in the load several times on the ankle itself. Athletes, dancers and those whose weight significantly exceeds standard indicators are also included in the risk group.
How is ankle osteoarthritis manifested? Symptoms and treatment
First of all, patients notice painful discomfort when trying to stand fully upright, as well as the appearance of a characteristic seizure during movements. Over time, the pain becomes stronger and persists even at rest. The limitation of foot mobility along several axes is gradually worsened. The joint itself increases in size, the foot is slightly curved. In the advanced stages of the pathology, pain can also be felt in the knee and hip joints.
Conservative therapy
Most drugs that reduce pain belong to the group of so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
These medications allow you to get rid of pain, but they also have some disadvantages. The fact is that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have an extremely negative effect on the gastric mucosa. For example, with prolonged use in patients, gastritis often worsens and even an ulcer appears. That is why the receipt of such funds is prescribed in short courses in order to minimize the negative consequences.
Local treatment of the affected area involves reducing inflammation in the joint. Thus, it is possible to reduce the progression of the disease, that is, to keep the inflammatory process under constant control. Such therapy is prescribed if the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is ineffective.
Local treatment includes the use of gels that have anesthetic components in their composition. However, this cost is fully justified. Ointments and gels give an excellent therapeutic effect, especially when combined with other medicines.
Some patients are prescribed chondroprotectors. They help cartilage to recover and significantly improve tissue synthesis.
Surgical treatment
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to overcome ankle osteoarthritis through drug therapy alone. Sometimes medications are ineffective. In this type of situation, the doctor decides on surgical intervention. The safest way to stop the degenerative process is arthroscopy.
This procedure is performed using a special instrument, which is introduced into the affected area through micro-incisions. This operation allows you to remove all bone growths.
exercise therapy
Exercise therapy is prescribed for many types of osteoarthritis. Especially these exercises are effective in the post-traumatic variant of the disease. Therapeutic exercises for osteoarthritis are primarily aimed at restoring lost muscle tone as well as expanding the range of motion in the ankle itself.
Initially, such exercises that require a minimum load are selected. They are performed in the supine position (eg circular movements on the foot). Then the lessons get harder. The exercises are performed in a sitting position (the foot rolls without lifting the heels off the floor). Please note that in each case a set of exercises is selected individually by a doctor.
Prevention
First of all, experts strongly recommend avoiding injury and mechanical damage to the joint. To do this, you should choose shoes with stable heels and, when playing sports, wear special protective gear.
It is very important to control your body weight because being overweight is often the main reason why osteoarthritis of the ankle joint develops. The symptoms and treatment of this pathology should not be ignored. When the primary symptoms appear, you should seek qualified help, do not try to solve the problem yourself.
In addition, experts recommend following a diet that is high in protein foods. You should for some time give up excessively salty and fatty foods, as well as alcohol.
Conclusion
In this article, we go into as much detail as possible about what constitutes osteoarthritis of the ankle joint. Symptoms and treatment, causes and prevention are just some of the topics for which detailed answers are provided here. Note that the effectiveness of therapy for a disease depends not only on its specific stage of development and the presence of concomitant health problems, but also on competent adherence to all the doctor's recommendations.