Ankle osteoarthritis is a dystrophic degenerative pathological disorder characterized by the gradual destruction of cartilage, joints 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.
Don't 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 the X-ray examination and ultrasound. It is necessary to treat the disease mainly conservatively and only in severe (neglected) cases is surgical intervention indicated.
The disease has a chronic undulating course, in which periods of exacerbation alternate with periods of calm, but still, the progression of the pathology, even in the absence of symptoms, continues, therefore, over time, the ankle becomes it completely destroys if the treatment is not performed. Very often, older people suffer from osteoarthritis, due to 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. Primary develops as an independent pathology, for no apparent reason. The secondary is the result of any adverse effects, for example, traumatic injuries.
The main causes of the appearance of the disease can be the following:
- diabetes;
- thyroid disease;
- overweight;
- persistent microtrauma that can occur in people who play sports or who regularly walk 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 disorders that lead to tissue thinning.
Sometimes the disease occurs in children and its causes can be:
- tissue dysplasia;
- congenital anomalies;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- trauma;
- Inflammatory joint ailments.
Grades and symptoms
Ankle osteoarthritis has three degrees, of course, which determine the symptoms of the disease. It is important to remember that the disease develops gradually, therefore, disorders in the joint will be insignificant at first, 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 solely in preventing the progression of the disease.
In the first degree of the disease, the tissue becomes thinner, and this does not happen over the entire surface, but in separate parts - specific islets 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;
- Mild pain that disappears on 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, do not wear shoes with heels, lose weight (if necessary), do exercise therapy, and also use some popular methods, which will be discussed later.
With the second degree of the pathological process in those areas where the tissue has thinned, the burden falls on the underlying bone. Due to this, it grows, forming osteophytes, which injure healthy areas of cartilage tissue located opposite or close. The symptoms of the second degree of osteoarthritis are already more obvious, these are:
- pain with less stress, that does not go away immediately after it stops;
- the appearance of night pains that interfere with the quality of sleep;
- limitation of joint mobility in the morning (takes some time to work);
- joint response to climate.
In the third degree, a deforming osteoarthritis of the ankle joint develops. During this period, the tissues of the entire joint become thinner, as do the bone structures, the muscles on the one hand are overstretched and, on the other, they have spasms, 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;
- cracking sensation;
- the need to take painkillers to relieve pain;
- restriction or even total impairment of mobility in the affected area.
Pathology such as traumatic arthrosis of the ankle joint is characterized by some other symptoms:
- swelling and redness in the affected area;
- increase in local temperature;
- crackling or crackling.
Diagnosis and treatment
A decisive role in the diagnosis of the disease is assigned to the X-ray examination. However, it is important that the doctor listens 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 a CT scan or MRI of the ankle.
Treatment of ankle osteoarthritis depends on the stage of the disease. In the initial stage, it is enough to change the way of life and the correct engine speed. Massage therapy and exercise will be helpful at this stage, improving blood circulation. If we talk about treatment with folk remedies that can be used at home, then it can reduce pain and alleviate the inflammatory process. These home remedies that anyone can use at home are:
- rub olive oil on the affected area in the morning;
- the use of burdock leaves in the form of attachments to the sore joint throughout the night;
- prepare a comfrey ointment and rub it on the affected area twice a day;
- taking mumiyo inside in tablet form and rubbing it on 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 in conjunction with drug therapy, diet, exercise therapy, and proper lifestyle will stop the progression of 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 osteoarthritis 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 must experience some discomfort, 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 return the mobility of their limbs, but other surgical techniques are also used: the doctor makes the decision, taking into account the patient's condition.