Ankle arthropathy is a rather serious condition that always requires qualified treatment. Unfortunately, it's hard to deal with this pathology. However, modern medicine offers effective means to reduce existing levels of inflammation and slow disease progression.
What is a 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.
Arthropathy of the ankle joint, the symptoms and treatment of which are directly related to each other, is a process of continuous destruction of joint tissue. The pathology requires the destruction of the usual structure of the tissue, the death of some chondrocytes, the formation of cracks in their surface, and the compaction of the bone. If you don't take prescription medication for joint disease, it deforms and its normal functioning becomes impossible.
The older you are, the more likely you are to experience degenerative, damaging changes. In this case, the musculoskeletal system is no exception. According to reports, about 10% of the world's population over the age of 40 suffers from joint disease. In developed countries, the number of patients aged 65 and older varies from 60% to 80%.
Classification
The first stage of the disease is characterized by a direct narrowing of the joint space and swelling and softening of the cartilage itself. Second-degree arthropathy is characterized by the formation of microcracks in the most compressed parts of the joint head and the formation of prominent protrusions in the least compressed parts. In the third and fourth stages, cartilage ruptures, followed by the formation of cysts, the growth of so-called bone calluses (osteophytes). As a result, the joint head itself flattens, which does not allow the foot to perform the usual movements.
main reason
Rarely, the disease is idiopathic, i. e. occurs spontaneously. Most of the time, it is secondary and can be explained by the influence of many factors. The causes of ankle osteoarthritis can be as follows:
- Damage to the musculoskeletal organs of the foot and the joints themselves (flat feet, hereditary connective tissue dysplasia).
- Post-traumatic arthropathy (dislocations, sprains, bruises).
- immune inflammation.
- Infectious injury.
- Various neurological disorders (osteochondrosis, neuritis).
- Metabolic diseases (obesity, rickets, gout).
Ankle joint disease is often caused by frequent wearing of high heels. The unnatural position of the foot can cause several times the load on the ankle itself. Athletes, dancers and people who weighed significantly more than the norm were also included in the risk group.
What does ankle osteoarthritis look like? Symptoms and Treatment
First, patients experience pain and discomfort when attempting to stand fully, and a characteristic crunching phenomenon occurs during movement. The pain gets stronger over time and persists even at rest. Foot movement limitations were progressively worsened along all axes. The joint itself is increased in size and the foot is slightly bent. In the advanced stages of the pathology, pain can also be felt in the knee and hip joints.
Conservative treatment
Most pain-relieving drugs belong to the so-called NSAIDs.
These medications can get you out of pain, but they also have some drawbacks. The problem is that NSAIDs have extremely negative effects on the gastric mucosa. For example, patients with long-term use, gastritis often worsens, and even ulcers. This is why the receipt of such funds is stipulated in short courses in order to minimise negative consequences.
Topical treatment of the affected area includes reducing joint inflammation. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the progression of the disease, i. e. the continuous control of the inflammatory process. Such treatment is prescribed if NSAIDs are ineffective.
Topical treatments include the use of gels that contain anesthetic ingredients. However, this cost is completely reasonable. Ointments and gels have excellent therapeutic benefits, especially when combined with other medications.
Some patients took chondroprotective agents. They aid in cartilage recovery and significantly improve tissue synthesis.
operation treatment
Unfortunately, ankle disease is far from always being overcome with medication alone. Sometimes medicines don't work. In this case, doctors decide to perform surgical intervention. The safest way to stop the degenerative process is arthroscopy.
The procedure is performed with a special instrument that is introduced into the affected area through micro incisions. This action allows you to remove all bone growth.
exercise therapy
Exercise therapy is suitable for many types of joint diseases. In particular, such exercises are effective for post-traumatic variants of the disease. Therapeutic exercises for arthropathy are primarily aimed at restoring lost muscle tone, as well as expanding the range of motion of the ankle itself.
Initially, choose such exercises that require the least load. They are performed in the supine position (eg, circular motion of the feet). Then the class gets more difficult. The exercise is performed in a seated position (the heel does not lift off the floor). Note that in each case, a set of exercises was chosen individually by the doctor.
prevention
First, experts strongly recommend avoiding injury and mechanical damage to the joints. To do this, you should choose shoes with a stable heel and use special protective gear when exercising.
Weight control is very important, as being overweight is often the main reason for the development of ankle joint disease. The symptoms and treatment of this pathology should not be ignored. When the main symptoms appear, seek qualified help and do not try to solve the problem on your own.
Additionally, experts recommend following a diet rich in protein foods. You should give up overly salty and fatty foods, as well as alcohol, for a period of time.
in conclusion
In this article, we describe what constitutes an ankle arthropathy in as much detail as possible. Symptoms and treatment, causes and prevention are just some of the topics that provide detailed answers here. Note that the effectiveness of disease treatment depends not only on its specific stage of development and the presence of concomitant health problems, but also on effective adherence to all physician recommendations.