Ankle osteoarthritis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, degree of disease and treatment

The older a person becomes, the greater 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 to varying degrees of severity and, if left untreated, will lead to disability. With the initial development of pathology, the symptoms of the disease are poorly expressed, and its presence can only be determined 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 osteoarthritis. The basis of the pathology is a degenerative-dystrophic process and the inflammation is secondary. Ankle osteoarthritis has a chronic undulating course, with alternating exacerbations and remissions. The disease progresses gradually. The female and male population suffers from osteoarthritis equally. With age, the probability of developing pathology increases dramatically.

Symptoms

Diseases of the ankle joint are periodically exacerbated. During remission of osteoarthritis, symptoms may not appear at all. The pathology develops without giving away. A person feels moderate pain in the ankle with significant physical exertion, increased stiffness and fatigue of the legs. With the progression of the pathology, the pain becomes more pronounced, arises at rest and intensifies at night.

When the deformity of the joint becomes visible, the range of motion in the ankle decreases and, when walking, there are characteristic crunching and clicking sounds. Sometimes there is a curvature of the lower leg, the legs acquire a valgus (X-shaped) or varus (O-shaped) shape. For osteoarthritis of the ankle, the initial pains are characteristic, they appear at the beginning of movement after a state of rest and disappear when walking.

Causes of occurrence

Ankle osteoarthritis is divided into two groups: primary and secondary. The first arises for unknown reasons. The second develops due to adverse factors: inflammation, trauma, etc. In both cases, the pathology is based on metabolic disorders in cartilage tissue. The main reasons for the development of secondary osteoarthritis:

• bone deformation (fractures) or ligament damage due to an ankle injury;
• stretching of the joint capsule;
• pinching of the nerve endings of the lumbar spine;
• overweight;
• wearing uncomfortable shoes;
• prolonged load on the joint (intense sports, constant foot);
• diseases associated with metabolic disorders (gout, diabetes mellitus, lack of estrogens during menopause and others);
• Intervertebral hernias, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine and other conditions, accompanied by alteration of the lower leg, muscular apparatus or nerve entrapment.

The degree of the disease

With osteoarthritis of the ankle, three degrees are distinguished, which are specified by hardware diagnostics:

• Grade I - pathological changes are not noticeable, there is a narrowing of the gap of the ankle joint, compaction of the talus;
• II degree - swelling becomes a consequence of the progression of the disease, painful sensations appear in the weather, mobility of the legs decreases, joint deformation is observed;
• III degree - there is a loss of the amortization properties of the joint, ossification of cartilage tissue, deformation of the foot leads to disability.

Possible consequences

A patient with osteoarthritis of the ankle can be assigned a disability, since the complete destruction of the joint leads to a limitation of motor activity. To do this, the patient must undergo a medical examination. Categories of patients who can be assigned a disability:

• patients with progressive osteoarthritis who have been ill for more than 3 years with exacerbations of the disease at least 3 times a year;
• patients who have undergone joint surgery and have a life limitation;
• patients with severe deterioration of static-dynamic function.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of "osteoarthritis of the second degree of the ankle joint" (or any other stage) is made on the basis of a survey, visual examination and laboratory results. X-rays play a decisive role. In the more advanced stages, deforming osteoarthritis and cystic formations are detected in the bone area. In difficult cases, the patient is referred for a CT scan of the ankle for a more accurate evaluation of bone structures. An MRI of the ankle may be done to examine the soft tissues.

Treatment of ankle osteoarthritis

Therapy of the affected joint in post-traumatic arthrosis is carried out according to the general scheme. Comprehensive treatment includes:

• elimination of pain symptoms;
• elimination of the inflammatory process;
• restoration of joint mobility;
• improvement of trophic processes;
• restoration of normal blood circulation in the limb:
• Replacement of a joint with artificial prostheses (if necessary).

Medicines

Drug therapy is selected taking into account the signs of the disease and the stage of the disease. During periods of exacerbation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the form of tablets or injections. Along with them, it is recommended to take local anesthetic drugs in the form of gels or ointments. With pronounced pain sensations, corticosteroids are prescribed for intra-articular blocks. Its introduction is carried out no more than 4 times / year. To normalize the metabolism in cartilage tissue, drugs of the chondroprotective group are prescribed.

Ointments

Topical medications won't be able to cure osteoarthritis or crusarthrosis of the ankle, but they will help speed recovery and prevent recurrence of the disease. Effective medications include:

1. Multicomponent homeopathic ointment for the treatment of inflammatory and dystrophic conditions of the musculoskeletal system. Apply 1-3 times / day with a thin layer on the affected area. The duration of the course is 2 to 4 weeks. In rare cases, local skin reactions occur: urticaria, burning, itching, development of dermatitis.
2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with analgesic effect. Apply in small doses on the affected joints 3 times a day. The doctor prescribes the course of treatment individually. On average, these ointments are used until the pain subsides, but no more than 14 days in a row.

Physiotherapy

The following physiotherapeutic methods will help to suspend ankle osteoarthritis:

1. Medium wave ultraviolet irradiation. Under the influence of ultraviolet waves in the affected area, there is an accumulation of substances that reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings, which makes it possible to quickly relieve the pain syndrome.
2. Infrared laser therapy. The laser reduces the sensitivity of the nerve roots, improves the blood circulation process. The procedure relieves the patient of the stress they have had to endure due to constant ankle pain.

Diet

For inflammatory diseases of the knee joints, bone tissue and joint ligaments of the ankle, a special diet is indicated. It is necessary to include gelatin, jellied meat and edible gelatin in the diet, as these products are natural chondroprotectors that restore cartilage tissue. Complex carbohydrates (vegetables, fruits, whole wheat bread), milk proteins (cottage cheese, cheese), vitamin and mineral complexes should be on the menu. For better assimilation of food, food should be steamed or boiled.

Physical exercises

After studying the radiograph, the doctor may prescribe the performance of therapeutic exercises. Special ankle exercises will help eliminate pain, relieve muscle tension, and restore blood circulation. Examples of exercise therapy exercises:

• sitting on a chair, socks and heels are taken off the floor alternately;
• the toes rest on the ground, the heel rises and makes circular movements;
• the legs are together, the foot extends to the side of the body.

Massage

The procedure for ankle osteoarthritis is distinguished by a variety and multi-stage techniques. The objective of the massage is to improve lymphatic and blood circulation in the muscles of the foot of the joint cavity, to eliminate poor mobility of the ankle. To relax the muscles, first massage the ankle using kneading and stroking techniques. Then the toes are massaged, then the foot and heel are kneaded. Finish the procedure by working deep into the ankle joints.

Surgery

If conservative therapy for osteoarthritis has not yielded positive results, the attending physician prescribes surgical treatment. Among the operational methods are considered the best:

1. Ankle endoprosthesis. An ultra-modern ceramic or metal prosthesis is partially or completely replaced at the site of cartilage destruction.
2. Ankle arthrodesis. It is prescribed for severe destruction of the articular surfaces. During the operation, the bones are rigidly fixed by their internal connection.

Traditional methods

Village recipes help complex ankle joint therapy for osteoarthritis:

1. Chalk and kefir. Blend the two ingredients until they form a paste. Apply this mixture on the sore joint at night to relieve swelling.
2. Butter and cinquefoil root. In a 10: 1 ratio, mix the ingredients and rub into the sore joint overnight to relieve pain.

Prevention of ankle osteoarthritis.

To reduce the risks of developing ankle osteoarthritis, it is necessary to comply with preventive measures, which include:

• control of body weight;
• proper nutrition;
• wear comfortable shoes without high heels;
• avoid joint injuries;
• timely treatment of endocrine and vascular diseases;
• Regular performance of gymnastics for the ankle.

Photo of ankle osteoarthritis