Arthrosis of the ankle joint is a fairly serious disease that always requires a qualified approach to treatment. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to cope with this pathology. However, modern medicine offers effective ways to reduce the existing level of 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 frontal axis, thereby providing flexion and extension of the foot. Lateral movements are characterized by a minimum amplitude.
Arthrosis of the ankle joint, the symptoms and treatment of which are directly related, is a process of sequential destruction of joint tissue. Pathology leads to a violation of the usual structure of tissues, the death of part of the cartilage cells, the formation of cracks on its surface and compaction of the bones. If you do not take the prescribed medicine for osteoarthritis of the joints, it becomes deformed and its normal functioning becomes really impossible.
The older the person, the higher the likelihood of developing degenerative-destructive changes in him. In this case, the musculoskeletal system is no exception. Around 10% of the world's population over the age of 40 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. Arthrosis of the 2nd degree is distinguished by the fact that microcracks form in the areas of greater pressure of the articular 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 articular heads flatten themselves, which does not allow the foot to perform the usual movements.
Main reasons
Very rarely, the disease is primary, that is, it occurs spontaneously. Most often, it is secondary and is explained by the influence of a number of factors. The causes of osteoarthritis of the ankle joint can be the following:
- Damage to the musculoskeletal apparatus of the foot and the joint itself (flat feet, hereditary connective tissue dysplasia).
- Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (dislocation, sprain, contusion).
- Inflammation of the immune nature.
- Infectious wound.
- Various types of neurological disorders (osteochondrosis, neuritis).
- Metabolic pathologies (obesity, rickets, gout).
The causes of osteoarthritis of the ankle joint often lie in the constant wearing of high-heeled shoes. The unnatural location of the foot several times causes an increase in the load on the ankle itself. Athletes, dancers and those whose weight significantly exceeds the standard indicators are also included in the risk group.
How does ankle osteoarthritis manifest? Symptoms and Treatment
First of all, patients note painful discomfort when trying to stand fully upright, as well as the appearance of a characteristic crunch during movement. Over time, the pain becomes stronger and persists even at rest. The limitation of the mobility of the foot along different axes is progressively aggravated. The joint itself increases in size, the foot is slightly curved. In 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 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
These drugs allow you to get rid of pain, but they also have some drawbacks. The fact is that nonsteroidal 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 consists in reducing the inflammation of the joint. Thus, it is possible to reduce the progression of the disease, that is, to keep the inflammatory process under constant control. Such treatment is prescribed if the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has proven ineffective.
Local treatment includes the use of gels containing anesthetic components in their composition. However, this cost is fully justified. Ointments and gels give an excellent therapeutic effect, especially when combined with other drugs.
Some patients are prescribed chondroprotectors. They help the cartilage to recover and significantly improve tissue synthesis.
Surgical treatment
Unfortunately, it is far from always possible to overcome osteoarthritis of the ankle only through drug treatment. Sometimes drugs are ineffective. In this kind of situation, the doctor decides on a surgical intervention. Arthroscopy is the surest way to stop the degenerative process.
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 of the ankle itself.
Initially, such exercises are selected that require a minimum load. They are performed in the supine position (for example, circular movements of the foot). Then the lessons become more difficult. The exercises are performed in a sitting position (the foot rolls without lifting the heels from the floor). Note that in each case a set of exercises is individually selected by a doctor.
Prevention
First of all, experts strongly recommend avoiding injuries and mechanical damage to the joint. To do this, you need to choose shoes with stable heels, and when playing sports, use special protective equipment.
It is very important to control body weight, because it is often overweight that is the main reason for the development of arthrosis of the ankle joint. Symptoms and treatment of this pathology should not be ignored. When the first symptoms appear, you should seek qualified help, do not try to solve the problem yourself.
Also, experts recommend following a diet 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 have explained in as much detail as possible what constitutes arthrosis 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 the treatment of a disease depends not only on its specific stage of development and the presence of concomitant health problems, but also on the competent observance of all doctor's recommendations.