Ankle arthrosis is a rather 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 disease?
The ankle joint connects the lower leg to the talus of the foot. Basically, it moves along the frontal axis, which provides flexion and extension of the foot. Lateral movements are characterized by minimal amplitude.
Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint, whose symptoms and treatment are directly related, is a process of successive destruction of joint tissue. Pathology implies a violation of the usual tissue structure, 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 medicine for arthrosis of the joints, deformation occurs, and its normal operation becomes truly impossible.
The older a person is, the greater the probability of developing degenerative-destructive changes in him. In this case, the musculoskeletal system is no exception. Approximately 10% of the world's population older than 40 years suffers from arthrosis. In developed countries, the number of patients aged 65 and over varies from 60 to around 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 characterized by the fact that microcracks are formed in the areas of the greatest pressure of the joint heads, and obvious protrusions in the places of the least pressure. In the third and fourth stages, the cartilage ruptures, after which the formation of cysts, the growth of the so-calledbone calluses (osteophytes). As a result, the joint heads themselves become flattened, which does not allow the foot to perform normal movements.
The main reasons
Very rarely, the disease is primary, that is, it arises spontaneously. It is most often 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 system of the foot and the joint itself (flat feet, hereditary connective tissue dysplasia).
- Post-traumatic arthrosis (dislocation, sprain, bruise).
- Inflammation of an immune nature.
- Infectious injury.
- Different types of neurological disorders (osteochondrosis, neuritis).
- Metabolic pathologies (obesity, rickets, gout).
The causes of arthrosis of the ankle joint often lie in the constant wearing of high-heeled shoes. The unnatural location of the foot causes a multiple increase in the load on the joint itself. The risk group also includes athletes, dancers and those whose weight significantly exceeds the standard indicators.
How does osteoarthritis of the ankle manifest? Symptoms and treatment
First of all, patients notice painful discomfort when they try to stand completely on their feet, as well as the appearance of a characteristic creaking sound during movement. Over time, the pain becomes stronger and lasts even at rest. Limitation of foot mobility along different axes gradually worsens. 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 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
These drugs allow you to get rid of pain, but they also have some disadvantages. The thing is that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have an extremely negative effect on the stomach lining. For example, with long-term use in patients, gastritis often worsens, and even an ulcer appears. That is why the reception 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 was ineffective.
Local treatment includes the use of gels that have anesthetic components in their composition. However, this cost is completely justified. Ointments and gels give an excellent therapeutic effect, especially in combination with other drugs.
Some patients are prescribed chondroprotectors. They help in cartilage recovery and significantly improve tissue synthesis.
Surgical treatment
Unfortunately, it is far from always possible to overcome arthrosis of the ankle joint only with the help of drugs. Sometimes medicines are ineffective. In such a situation, the doctor decides on surgical intervention. The surest way to stop the degenerative process is arthroscopy.
This procedure is performed using a special instrument that is introduced through micro-incisions into the affected area. This operation allows you to remove all bony growths.
exercise therapy
Exercise therapy is prescribed for many types of arthrosis. Such exercises are especially effective in the post-traumatic variant of the disease. Therapeutic exercises for arthrosis are aimed primarily at restoring lost muscle tone, as well as expanding the range of motion in the joint itself.
At first, such exercises are chosen that require a minimum load. They are performed in a lying position (for example, circular movements in the foot). Then the lessons become more difficult. The exercises are performed in a sitting position (rolling the feet without lifting the heels off the floor). Keep in mind that in any case, the set of exercises is selected by the doctor individually.
Prevention
First of all, experts strongly recommend avoiding injuries and mechanical damage to the joint. To do this, you should choose shoes with stable heels, and when playing sports, use special protective equipment.
It is very important to control body weight, because excess weight is often the main reason for the development of arthrosis of the ankle joint. 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.
Also, experts recommend following a diet with a high protein content. You should give up excessively salty and fatty foods, as well as alcohol, for a while.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained in as much detail as possible what arthrosis of the ankle joint is. Symptoms and treatment, causes and prevention are just some of the topics for which detailed answers are given here. Keep in mind that the effectiveness of disease therapy depends not only on its specific stage of development and the presence of accompanying health problems, but also on competent compliance with all the doctor's recommendations.