Arthrosis of the ankle joint develops at any age.Dystrophic changes lead to gradual immobilization of the joint.Treatment in the first stages leads to a positive result;Process negligence can be corrected with the help of 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 have 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 total loss of motor capacity.
Pathogenesis of ankle arthrosis
One of humans' complex, block-shaped joints connects the fibula and tibia of the leg to the talus of the foot.The anatomical structure allows the joint to move in several planes, performing not only forward, backward and sideways abduction, but also easily performing circular movements.
Degenerative dystrophic disease affecting the ankle joint often occurs not only in old age.Provoking factors can contribute to the development of the disease, intersecting with the underlying causes.Ankle arthrosis leads to serious health problems, depriving the patient of the ability to work.
The initial phase of the disease is characterized by pathological processes that destroy the cartilaginous layer, making it thin and inelastic.
Such a change in structure implies a restructuring of all components:
- the joint space between the heads of the bones becomes narrow;
- synovial fluid changes its chemical composition and thickens;
- the inner lining of the joint capsule becomes inflamed;
- the subarchial layer of the bone 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.The first changes can be stopped with early diagnosis, preserving the full functionality of the mobile joint.
In more advanced stages, with significant deformities and ineffectiveness of conservative treatment, surgery to replace the affected joint is recommended.
Causes of pathology
Arthrosis 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 the bones.People over the age of fifty may be at risk, especially if the person leads an unhealthy lifestyle or has concomitant illnesses.
- With the appearance of extra pounds, the load increases, which creates excessive pressure on the joint.The leg in the foot area 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 subjected to a regular increase in pressure, which has a physiologically destructive effect.
- Injuries to the ankle joint (fractures, dislocations, sprains, bruises) of varying degrees.Mechanical impact with the appearance of microtraumas alters the course of self-renewal processes in the joint.
- Loss of the arches of the feet, which appears at birth or is acquired during life.Incorrect load distribution during movement and impaired spring function are compensated by the nearby joint, which is the ankle.
- Congenital deformities in the absence of necessary treatment lead to adverse consequences for the body, including degenerative changes in the joint tissue.
- Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint can be a direct consequence of wearing inappropriate footwear, which ensures an incorrect position of the foot when walking.High heels, insufficient fullness of the model, complete absence of heels, uncomfortable shapes, incompatible shoe sizes “kill” the feet.
- Decreased muscle tone due to a sedentary lifestyle.
- There is a genetic predisposition.If family members have been diagnosed with pathology, the person exposes themselves to great risk by not following prevention rules.
- 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 joints, creating a shortage of “building” material in the form of microelements.
- Pathologies that occur when the endocrine glands function poorly: diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and others.
- Hormonal disorders during the period of body restructuring in elderly women.
Signs of the disease
Arthrosis of the ankle joint has a hidden onset.Symptoms do not manifest themselves clearly, therefore, the patient may not pay attention to unpleasant sensations in the pelvic area during active movements.The first step is discovered by chance;a person does not seek medical help during this period.
At the initial stage, pain in the ankle region appears during fast running, long walks and jumping.After rest, the pain passes and does not bother the patient at rest.The stage of dystrophic changes in cartilage lasts for years;in the next stage, ankle arthrosis affects the bone layer.
In the second phase of osteoarthritis, a clicking sound appears when moving the foot and the pain becomes more intense during exercise.In the morning, upon 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 an almost imperceptible limp in the affected leg, as 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 advanced third stage of the ankle joint is characterized by severe crepitus and contracture of the joint.Pain in the ankle joint bothers not only during the day, but also at night, while sleeping.A person cannot walk without rehabilitation equipment (canes, crutches, walkers), performance is impaired and this stage often leads to disability.
At any stage of arthrosis, an inflammatory process may appear that develops on the inner surface of the joint capsule.
The symptoms are:
- throbbing pain in the area of the painful ankle;
- swelling of soft tissues in the area of the inflamed bone joint;
- skin redness;
- increase in local temperature.
How to treat ankle osteoarthritis
An orthopedist makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment.Treatment procedures, except joint injections and some physical therapy procedures, are performed 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 deformations;The main role of treatment is to stop the disease process and maintain the state of the composition at the same level, preventing deterioration.Strict adherence to the doctor's recommendations will ensure the desired effect.
Drug treatment
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the form of tablets or ointments for external use.NSAIDs have both an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.The dosage and regimen are prescribed by a specialist doctor, taking into account individual indicators.It is not recommended to take medications from this pharmacological group on your own;NSAIDs have many side effects, especially on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Chondroprotectors replenish the joint with all the missing chemical elements, which stop the destruction process and restore the joint cells.To achieve a lasting therapeutic effect, it is necessary to take chondroprotectors for a long time.
- Glucocorticoids are used for developed inflammation.Hormonal medications act on acute pain, allergic reactions and inflammation.They can be injected intramuscularly or directly into the diseased joint to perform a block.
Engine mode
Arthrosis of the ankle joint forces you to change your entire lifestyle.Physical activity must be measured.It is prohibited to overload the joint with long walks, intense physical exercise 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 orthopedic or anatomically correct shoes.To achieve a shock-absorbing 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 arthrosis is in a serious stage, the priority choice will be orthoses with metal inserts that reliably fix the joint.
Diet therapy
The principles of proper nutrition should form the basis of the diet of a person with joint diseases.
The following must be excluded from the menu:
- fatty meat and fish broths;
- smoked and sausage products;
- canned food and semi-finished products;
- sugar and confectionery;
- sweet carbonated drinks and coffee;
- alcoholic beverages;
- mayonnaise and high-fat sour cream.
You need to 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 supply of substances necessary to nourish the joint cells in sufficient quantities.
Therapeutic exercise
Physical exercises for therapeutic purposes must be present during joint destruction.The physiotherapy complex is prepared by a specialist doctor - physiotherapy instructor.With the correct technique and therapeutically dosed load on the affected ankle area, blood circulation improves, muscle tone increases and range of motion increases.
In order for classes to bring only benefits, you need to remember when you cannot do physiotherapy:
- acute period accompanied by inflammation;
- the appearance of pain when performing ankle exercises;
- movements, number of repetitions and range of movements must be strictly agreed with the doctor.
To achieve good results you need to be patient.Regular exercise will gently bring your ankle joints into good shape.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
- Electrophoresis is prescribed to introduce medications into the patient's body using electrical current.
- Exposure to pulsed magnetic current is carried out in courses of twenty procedures, followed by a two-month break.During the entire period of non-use of the magnet, the cumulative effect of the completed course will remain.
- Infrared radiation is prescribed for 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 osteoarthritis patients.
- 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 joint pain.
- Dry hop and St. John's wort raw materials 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 arthrosis
The last stages of the disease, in 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, arthrosis of the ankle joint can only be treated with surgery.
Therapy is based on replacing a worn-out joint with an artificial prosthesis, which will allow a person to maintain independent movements and vital activity.The replaced gasket will last more than ten years, depending on the quality of the material from which it is made.
Preventive measures
Preventing a disease is always easier than treating it later.An active lifestyle without bad habits is the key to healthy joints.Maintaining the ideal weight at any age is useful not only for a beautiful appearance, but also for ridding the body of unwanted stress on all organs and systems.
Much attention should be paid to shoes:
- models must have correct anatomical shape;
- made from natural materials;
- the use of orthopedic insoles will ensure adequate distribution of the load on the lower limb;
- the size and fullness must correspond to the foot;
- shoes must be appropriate for the season to avoid hypothermia, which negatively affects joints.
At the first sign of discomfort in the ankle joint or pain when moving, you should consult a doctor for an 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.