Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint develops at any age.Dystrophic changes lead to gradual immobilization of the joint.Treatment in the early stages leads to a positive result;neglect of the process can be corrected with the help of surgery.
The ankle joint is one of the movable joints of the lower limb, which plays an important role in the walking process.Physiologically it is designed in such a way that the malfunction of one of the joints leads to a pathological effect on nearby components.
The disease itself destroys connective and bone tissue.Osteoarthritis deforms the joint, deprives it of mobility and can lead to complete loss of motor ability.
Pathogenesis of ankle arthritis
One of the complex, block-shaped joints in humans connects the fibula and tibia of the leg with 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 disease affecting the ankle joint often occurs not only in old age.Provocative factors can contribute to the development of the disease, intersecting with the underlying causes.Ankle arthrosis leads to serious health problems, depriving the patient of his ability to work.
The initial stage of the disease is characterized by pathological processes that destroy the cartilaginous layer, making it thin and inelastic.
This change in structure involves a restructuring of all components:
- the joint space between the heads of the bones narrows;
- the synovial fluid changes its chemical composition and thickens;
- the inner lining of the joint capsule becomes inflamed;
- the subarchidal layer of the bone becomes dense and grows;
- with a prolonged course of the disease, osteophytes (bone growths) appear;
- the joint is deformed.
The whole process takes a long time.The initial phase is dangerous due to the mildness of the symptoms.The first changes can be stopped with an early diagnosis, preserving all the functionality of the mobile joint.
In later stages, with significant deformities and ineffectiveness of conservative treatment, surgery is recommended to replace the affected joint.
Causes of pathology
Arthrosis of the ankle joint develops when the following factors appear:
- With age, pathological changes begin in the body, triggering the process of destruction in the movable joint of bones.People over the age of fifty may be at risk, especially if they lead an unhealthy lifestyle or have concomitant diseases.
- As extra pounds appear, the load increases, creating excessive pressure on the joint.The leg in the foot area begins to deform and, at the same time, the cartilaginous tissue, which serves as a natural shock absorber, wears out.
- Intense physical activity during work or sports training.The joint is subjected to a regular increase in pressure, which has a physiologically destructive effect.
- Injuries to the ankle joint (fractures, dislocations, sprains, bruises) of varying degrees.The mechanical impact with the appearance of microtraumas modifies the course of self-renewal processes in the joint.
- Falling of the arch of the foot, which occurs at birth or is acquired during life.Incorrect load distribution during movement and impaired elastic function are compensated by the neighboring joint, i.e. the ankle.
- Congenital deformities in the absence of the necessary treatment lead to negative consequences for the body, including degenerative changes in the joint tissue.
- Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint can be a direct consequence of wearing the wrong shoes, which ensure an incorrect position of the foot while walking.High heels, insufficient fullness of the model, complete absence of heels, uncomfortable shapes, 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 exposes themselves to great risks by not following the prevention rules.
- Autoimmune diseases cause osteoarthritis.The basis of this group of diseases is the self-destruction of the body by its own cells.
- Metabolic disorders affect the joints, creating a deficiency of “building” material in the form of microelements.
- Pathologies that occur when endocrine glands function poorly: diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and others.
- Hormonal disorders during the period of body restructuring in older women.
Signs of the disease
Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint has a hidden onset.Symptoms do not manifest themselves clearly, therefore the patient may not pay attention to unpleasant sensations in the pelvic area during active movements.The first stage is discovered by chance;a person does not seek medical care during this period.
In the initial stage, ankle pain appears during fast running, long walks and jumping.After rest the pain disappears and does not disturb the patient at rest.The stage of dystrophic changes in cartilage lasts for years;in the later stage, ankle arthritis affects the bone layer.
In the second stage of osteoarthritis, a clicking sound is heard when the foot is moved, and the pain becomes more intense during exercise.In the morning, after waking up, a slight stiffness in the joint is felt, which disappears after the patient walks a little.
As the process worsens, the joint begins to deform.The patient develops a barely noticeable lameness on the affected leg, so the body tries to physiologically adapt to the regular pain during movement.Gradually a limited range of motion of the ankle joint appears.
When significant narrowing of the joint space occurs, the pain syndrome becomes regular.A change in the shape of the joint is visually noticeable;for this reason it is possible to shorten the affected lower limb.
The third advanced stage of the ankle joint is characterized by severe crepitus and contractures of the joint.Pain in the ankle joint bothers you not only during the day, but also at night, during sleep.A person cannot walk without rehabilitation equipment (canes, crutches, walkers), performance is impaired, and this stage very often leads to disability.
At any stage of arthrosis, an inflammatory process may appear that develops on the internal surface of the joint capsule.
The symptoms are:
- shooting pain in the sore ankle area;
- soft tissue swelling in the area of the inflamed bone joint;
- skin redness;
- increase in local temperature.
How to treat ankle arthritis
An orthopedist makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment.Treatment procedures, with the exception of joint injections and some physiotherapeutic procedures, are performed on an outpatient basis.Therapeutic procedures are prescribed in combination and performed in parallel with each other to enhance the effect.
It is impossible to restore damaged tissue and correct deformation;the main role of treatment is to stop the pathological process and maintain the condition of the composition at the same level, preventing deterioration.Strict compliance with the doctor's recommendations will guarantee the desired effect.
Treatment with drugs
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the form of tablets or ointments for external use.NSAIDs simultaneously have an anti-inflammatory effect and an analgesic effect.The dosage and regimen are prescribed by a specialist doctor, taking into account individual indicators.It is not recommended to take drugs from this pharmacological group alone;NSAIDs have many side effects, especially on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Chondroprotectors fill the joint with all the missing chemical elements, which stops the destruction process and restores the cells of the joint.To achieve a long-lasting therapeutic effect, it is necessary to take chondroprotectors for a long time.
- Glucocorticoids are used for developed inflammation.Hormonal drugs act on acute pain, allergic reactions and inflammation.They can be injected intramuscularly or directly into the diseased joint to perform a block.
Engine mode
Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint forces you to change your entire lifestyle.Physical activity should be measured.It is forbidden to overload the joint with long walks, intense physical exercise or carrying weights.Active movements should alternate with rest;prolonged static loading is prohibited.
To prevent deterioration of the ankle joint it is useful to wear correct orthopedic or anatomical shoes.To achieve a shock absorption effect, orthopedic insoles are used daily.
Preventive orthopedic bandages protect the joint from excessive load and provide local compression and micromassage effects.If injuries have previously occurred or arthrosis is in a severe stage, the first choice will be orthoses with metal inserts that reliably fix the joint.
Diet therapy
The principles of proper nutrition should form the basis of the diet of a person with joint diseases.
The following must be excluded from the menu:
- fatty meat and fish broths;
- smoked and cured products;
- canned and semi-finished food products;
- sugar and sweets;
- sweet carbonated drinks and coffee;
- alcoholic beverages;
- mayonnaise and high-fat sour cream.
You need to eat in small portions to monitor your weight and avoid extra pounds.These measures will ensure the prevention of further stress on the joints and the supply of the necessary substances to nourish the joint cells in sufficient quantities.
Therapeutic exercise
During joint destructuring, physical exercises for therapeutic purposes should be present.The physical therapy complex is compiled by a medical specialist - physiotherapy instructor.With the correct technique and therapeutically dosed load in the affected ankle area, blood circulation improves, muscle tone increases and range of motion increases.
In order for classes to bring only benefits, you need to remember when you cannot engage in physical therapy:
- acute period accompanied by inflammation;
- the appearance of pain when performing ankle exercises;
- movements, number of repetitions and range of movements must be strictly agreed with the doctor.
To get good results you need to be patient.Regular exercise will smoothly bring your ankle joints back into good shape.
Physiotherapy procedures
- Electrophoresis is prescribed to introduce drugs into the patient's body using electric current.
- Exposure to pulsed magnetic current is carried out in cycles of twenty procedures, then a break is taken for two months.During the entire period of non-use of the magnet, the cumulative effect of the completed path will remain.
- The sore leg is prescribed infrared radiation, which will provide a long-lasting anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
Folk remedies
The use of alternative medicine recipes with available natural ingredients can be used for patients with osteoarthritis.
- It is useful to apply crushed garlic with vegetable oil to the sore joint for 8 hours, spreading it in a thin layer.An herbal anti-inflammatory will help relieve pain and inflammation.
- Raw potatoes are grated and used as compresses, placed on the ankle.The product will relieve swelling and reduce joint pain.
- The dry raw materials of hops and St. John's wort are mixed one dessert spoon at a time, and fifty milliliters of petroleum jelly are added to the resulting mass.The resulting ointment is applied morning and evening to the sore spot.
Surgery for ankle arthritis
The last stages of the disease, in which complete blocking of the joint occurs, cannot be treated by conservative means.This fact is due to the fact that the developed deformation is irreversible.In this case, arthrosis of the ankle joint can only be treated with surgery.
The therapy is based on the replacement of a worn joint with an artificial prosthesis, which will allow the person to maintain independent movement and vital activity.The replaced joint will last more than ten years, depending on the quality of the material it is made of.
Preventive measures
Preventing a disease 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 freeing the body from unwanted stress on all organs and systems.
Much attention must be paid to shoes:
- the models must have the correct anatomical shape;
- made from natural materials;
- the use of orthopedic insoles will guarantee correct distribution of the load on the lower limb;
- the size and fullness must match the foot;
- shoes should be appropriate for the season to prevent hypothermia, which negatively affects the joints.
At the first sign of discomfort in the ankle joint or pain during movement, you should consult a doctor for early diagnosis.If the pathology is noticed in time, it can be easily treated, which will avoid severe development and maintain a beautiful gait until old age.