Osteoarthritis of the ankle is a dystrophic degenerative pathological disease characterized by the gradual destruction of cartilage, joint and adjacent bone structures, as well as ligaments and even muscles, leading to reduced mobility and even disability of the patient. The reason for the development of such a pathology can be a traumatic injury, in which post-traumatic arthrosis of the ankle joint develops, metabolic disorders in the body or some inflammatory diseases.
Do not self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor.
The diagnosis of pathology is established taking into account the patient's complaints, as well as on the basis of the results of X-ray and ultrasound examination. It is necessary to treat the disease mainly conservatively, and only in severe (neglected) cases is surgical intervention indicated.
The disease has a chronic wavy course, in which periods of exacerbation alternate with periods of calm, but in any case, the progression of the pathology, even in the absence of symptoms, continues, therefore, over time, the ankle is completely destroyed if the treatment is not carried out. Most often, older people suffer from osteoarthritis, due to the natural metabolic processes in the body, but there are other reasons for the development of osteoarthritis.
causes
In medical practice, there are two types of osteoarthritis: primary and secondary. The primary develops as an independent pathology, for no apparent reason. The secondary is the result of any negative effects, such as traumatic injuries.
The main causes of the onset of the disease can be the following:
- diabetes;
- thyroid disease;
- excess weight;
- persistent microtrauma that can occur in people who play sports or walk regularly in high heels;
- rheumatic pathologies;
- traumatic injuries in this area (fracture, dislocation);
- inflammatory processes that develop as a result of diseases such as gout, arthritis;
- hereditary metabolic diseases that lead to tissue thinning.
Sometimes the disease occurs in children, and its causes can be:
- tissue dysplasia;
- congenital anomalies;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- trauma;
- inflammatory joint diseases.
Degrees and symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the ankle naturally has three degrees, which determine the symptoms of the disease. It is important to remember that the disease develops gradually, so the joint disorders will initially be insignificant, and then more and more pronounced. At the same time, the changes that have appeared are already incorrigible, and the treatment of the pathology at one stage or another will consist only in preventing the progression of the disease.
At the first degree of the disease, the tissue becomes thinner, and this does not happen over the entire surface, but in separate parts - specific islands are formed.
First degree disease is characterized by the following symptoms:
- excessive fatigue with prolonged stress on the legs;
- discomfort in the joint area after walking in heels;
- minor pain that disappears at rest.
X-ray or ultrasound examination does not reveal any pathological changes in the joint, therefore, at this stage, doctors cannot make a diagnosis.
In the first stage of the disease, it can be treated at home with folk remedies - first of all, refuse to wear shoes with heels, lose weight (if necessary), do physical therapy, and also use some folk methods, which will be discussed below.
With the second degree of the pathological process in those areas where the tissue has thinned, the load falls on the underlying bone. Because of this, it grows, forming osteophytes, which damage healthy areas of cartilage tissue located in front of or nearby. The symptoms of the second degree of arthrosis are already more evident, these are:
- pain with less stress, which does not go away immediately after it stops;
- the occurrence of night pains that interfere with the quality of sleep;
- limited joint mobility in the morning (it takes time for it to work);
- joint response to bad weather.
In the third degree, deforming arthrosis of the ankle joint develops. During this period, the tissues of the entire joint become thinner, like the bone structures, the muscles on the one hand are excessively tense, and on the other, they contract, trying to keep the joint in the correct position. Symptoms of the third degree of such a pathology as deforming arthrosis of the ankle joint are associated with a complete violation of its mobility and severe pain:
- severe pain that does not stop even at rest;
- in the morning hours, the joint requires long-term development even to perform minimal movements;
- creaking sensation;
- the need to take painkillers to relieve pain;
- limitation or even complete impairment of mobility in the affected area.
Pathology such as traumatic osteoarthritis of the ankle joint is characterized by some other symptoms:
- swelling and redness in the affected area;
- local temperature rise;
- creak or crackle.
Diagnosis and treatment
A decisive role in the diagnosis of the disease is assigned to X-ray examination. However, it is important for the doctor to listen to the patient's complaints, which can allow him to make a diagnosis at an early stage, when radiographic changes are not visible. In severe cases, the patient is referred for CT of the ankle or MRI.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the ankle depends on the stage of the disease. In the initial stage, it is enough to change the way of life and the correct motor regime. Massage and physical therapy will be helpful at this stage, which will improve blood circulation. If we talk about treatment with folk remedies that can be used at home, then it can reduce pain and relieve the inflammatory process. These folk remedies that anyone can use at home are:
- rubbing olive oil into the affected area in the morning;
- the use of burdock leaves in the form of attachments to the sore joint all night;
- prepare comfrey ointment and rub it on the affected area twice a day;
- taking mumiyo inside in the form of tablets and rubbing it into the affected joint.
There are other alternative methods of treatment, but it is important to remember that they are not a panacea for the disease and that only their complex use together with drug therapy, diet, physical therapy and the right lifestyle will stop the progression of the destruction.
If we talk about the treatment of arthrosis of the ankle joint with drugs, then it consists in the use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. Also, patients are prescribed chondroprotectors that protect the joint for a long time (at least six months).
To improve the nutrition of the affected joint, the use of vascular drugs such as niacin is indicated. Hyaluronic acid therapy is considered effective and in some cases a one-time administration of hormones is required.
It is also necessary to treat the disease in combination with physiotherapy methods. Special exercises for arthrosis of the ankle joint are shown, which in each case are selected by a physiotherapist. It is very important that gymnastics with arthrosis of the ankle joint does not cause pain to the patient, but at the same time the person should feel some discomfort, as otherwise the procedure will be ineffective.
Among other physiotherapeutic methods, it is shown:
- magnetotherapy;
- laser therapy;
- phonophoresis;
- thermal procedures and some other types of exposure.
Surgical operation for this disease is indicated only in severe cases when the joint is completely destroyed. Often patients have joint prostheses, which bring their limbs back to mobility, but other surgical techniques are also used: the doctor makes the choice, taking into account the patient's condition.