Ankle osteoarthritis develops at any age.Dystrophic changes lead to progressive immobilization of the joint.Treatment in the early stages leads to a positive result;neglect of the process can be corrected by 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 a malfunction in one of the joints will lead to a pathological effect on neighboring components.
The disease itself destroys connective and bone tissue.Osteoarthritis deforms the joint, deprives it of mobility and can lead to a complete loss of motor skills.
Pathogenesis of ankle osteoarthritis
One of the complex joints in humans, shaped like a block, 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, not only abducting forward, backward and sideways, but also easily performing circular movements.
Degenerative-dystrophic diseases affecting the ankle joint often occur not only in older people.Provoking factors can contribute to the development of the disease, intersecting with the underlying causes.Ankle osteoarthritis leads to serious health problems, depriving the patient of their ability to work.
The initial stage of the disease is characterized by pathological processes that destroy the cartilaginous layer, making it thin and inelastic.
Such a structural change implies a restructuring of all components:
- the joint space between the heads of the bones becomes narrow;
- the synovial fluid changes its chemical composition and thickens;
- the inner wall of the joint capsule becomes inflamed;
- the subarchidal bone layer becomes dense and grows;
- with a prolonged course of the disease, osteophytes (bone growths) appear;
- the joint is deformed.
The whole process takes a lot of time.The initial phase is dangerous due to the mildness of the symptoms.Early changes can be stopped with early diagnosis, thereby preserving full functionality of the mobile joint.
At later stages, in case of significant deformities and ineffectiveness of conservative treatment, surgical intervention aimed at replacing the affected joint is recommended.
Causes of pathology
Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint develops when the following factors appear:
- With age, pathological changes begin in the body, triggering the process of destruction of the movable joint of bones.People over fifty may be at risk, especially if they lead an unhealthy lifestyle or suffer from concomitant illnesses.
- With the appearance of extra pounds, the load increases, which creates excessive pressure on the joint.The leg at the foot begins to deform and, at the same time, the cartilaginous tissue, which acts as a natural shock absorber, wears out.
- Intense physical activity during work or sports training.The joint is regularly subjected to increased pressure, which has a destructive physiological effect.
- Injury to the ankle joint (fractures, dislocations, sprains, bruises) of varying degrees.Mechanical impact with the appearance of microtrauma changes the course of self-renewal processes of the joint.
- Fall of the arch of the foot, appearing at birth or acquired during life.Improper load distribution during movement and impaired spring function are compensated by the neighboring joint, namely the ankle.
- Congenital malformations in the absence of the necessary treatment lead to harmful consequences for the body, including degenerative changes in joint tissues.
- Ankle osteoarthritis can be a direct consequence of wearing incorrect shoes, which cause poor foot position when walking.High heels, insufficient width of the model, total absence of heels, uncomfortable shapes, mismatched 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 is exposed to great risks by not respecting the rules of prevention.
- 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 shortage of “building” materials in the form of microelements.
- Pathologies that occur in case of dysfunction of the endocrine glands: diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and others.
- Hormonal disorders during the period of body restructuring in elderly women.
Signs of illness
Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint has a hidden onset.The symptoms do not manifest themselves clearly, therefore the patient may not pay attention to unpleasant sensations in the pelvic region during active movements.The first stage is discovered by chance;a person does not seek medical help during this period.
At the initial stage, pain in the ankle appears during fast running, long walks and jumping.After rest, the pain disappears and does not bother the patient at rest.The stage of dystrophic changes in the cartilage lasts for years;In the next stage, ankle osteoarthritis affects the bone layer.
In the second phase of osteoarthritis, a click appears when moving the foot and the pain becomes more intense during exercise.In the morning, after waking up, there is a slight stiffness in the joint, which disappears after the patient walks a little.
As the process worsens, the joint begins to deform.The patient develops a barely noticeable limp 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 a significant narrowing of the joint space occurs, the pain syndrome becomes regular.A change in the shape of the joint is visually noticeable;therefore, shortening of the diseased lower limb is possible.
The third advanced stage of the ankle joint 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, during 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 osteoarthritis, an inflammatory process may appear and develop on the inner surface of the joint capsule.
The symptoms are:
- throbbing pain in painful ankle area;
- swelling of soft tissues in the area of the inflamed bone joint;
- redness of the skin;
- local increase in temperature.
How to treat ankle osteoarthritis
An orthopedist makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment.Treatment procedures, with the exception of joint injections and some physiotherapy procedures, are carried out on an outpatient basis.Therapeutic procedures are prescribed in combination and carried out in parallel with each other to enhance the effect.
It is impossible to restore damaged tissues and correct the deformation;the main role of treatment is to stop the pathological process and maintain the state of the composition at the same level, thereby preventing its deterioration.Strict adherence to the doctor's recommendations will guarantee the desired effect.
Treatment with medications
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the form of tablets or ointments for external use.NSAIDs simultaneously have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.The dosage and treatment 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 replenish the joint with all the missing chemical elements, which stop the process of destruction and restore the cells of the joint.To achieve a lasting therapeutic effect, it is necessary to take chondroprotectors for a long time.
- Glucocorticoids are used in cases of developed inflammation.Hormonal drugs act on acute pain, allergic reactions and inflammation.They can be injected intramuscularly or directly into the diseased joint to provide a blockage.
Motor mode
Ankle osteoarthritis requires you to completely change your lifestyle.Physical activity should be measured.It is forbidden to overload the joint with long walks, strenuous physical exercises or carrying weights.Active movements should alternate with rest;prolonged static charging is prohibited.
To prevent deterioration of the ankle joint, it is helpful to wear appropriate 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 already occurred or osteoarthritis is at a severe stage, the priority choice will be orthoses with metal inserts that reliably fix the joint.
Diet therapy
The principles of good nutrition should form the basis of the diet of a person with joint disease.
The following items should be excluded from the menu:
- fatty meat and fish broths;
- smoked and sausage products;
- canned and semi-finished products;
- sugar and confectionery;
- sweetened soft drinks and coffee;
- alcoholic beverages;
- mayonnaise and high-fat sour cream.
You should eat in small portions to monitor your weight and avoid extra pounds.These measures will ensure the prevention of additional stress on the joints and the provision of the substances necessary to nourish the joint cells in sufficient quantities.
Therapeutic exercise
Physical exercises for therapeutic purposes must be present during joint destructuring.The exercise therapy complex is developed by a specialist doctor - 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 benefit, you need to remember when you cannot undergo physical therapy:
- acute period accompanied by inflammation;
- the appearance of pain when performing exercises in the ankle;
- movements, number of repetitions and amplitude of movements must be strictly agreed with the doctor.
To obtain good results, you must be patient.Regular exercise will gently bring the ankle joints into good shape.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
- Electrophoresis is prescribed to introduce drugs into the patient's body using electric current.
- Exposure to pulsed magnetic current is carried out in courses 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 course completed will remain.
- Infrared radiation is prescribed to the sore leg, which will provide a long-lasting anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
Folk remedies
The use of alternative medicine recipes from available natural ingredients can be used for patients suffering from 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 pain in the joint.
- Dry raw materials from 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.
Surgical intervention for ankle osteoarthritis
The final stages of the disease, during which complete blockage of the joint occurs, cannot be treated with conservative means.This fact is due to the fact that the deformation developed is irreversible.In this case, ankle osteoarthritis can only be treated with surgery.
Therapy is based on replacing a worn joint with an artificial prosthesis, which will allow a person to maintain independent movement and vital activity.The replaced seal will last more than ten years, depending on the quality of the material it is made of.
Preventive measures
It is always easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later.An active lifestyle without bad habits is the key to healthy joints.Maintaining optimal weight at any age is useful not only for looking good, but also for ridding the body of unwanted stress on all organs and systems.
Much attention should be paid to shoes:
- models must have the correct anatomical shape;
- made from natural materials;
- the use of orthopedic insoles will ensure good distribution of the load on the lower limb;
- size and fullness should match the foot;
- shoes should be appropriate for the season to avoid hypothermia, which negatively affects the joints.
At the first signs of discomfort in the ankle joint or pain when moving, you should consult a doctor for early diagnosis.If the pathology is detected in time, it can be easily treated, which will allow you to avoid severe development and maintain a beautiful gait until old age.