Arthritis of the ankle joint develops at any age.Dystrophic changes lead to gradual immobilization of the joint.Treatment at the first stage leads to positive results;Neglect of the process 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 damage to one of the joints will involve pathological effects on neighboring components.
The disease itself destroys connective tissue and bone.Arthrosis deforms the joints, eliminates movement and can lead to complete loss of motor ability.
Pathogenesis of ankle arthrosis
One of the complex joints in humans, shaped like a block, connecting the fibula and tibia of the foot with the talus.The anatomical structure allows the joint to move in several planes, performing not only forward, backward and lateral abduction, but also easily perform circular movements.
Degenerative-dystrophic diseases that affect the ankle joint often occur not only in old age.Provocative factors can contribute to the development of the disease, intersecting with the underlying cause.Ankle arthrosis leads to serious health problems, denying the patient's ability to work.
The initial stage of the disease is characterized by a pathological process that destroys the cartilage layer, making it thin and inelastic.
Such structural changes require restructuring of all components:
- the joint space between the bone heads narrows;
- synovial fluid changes its chemical composition and thickens;
- the inner lining of the joint capsule becomes inflamed;
- the subarchidal layer of 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 long time.The initial phase is dangerous because of the fluency of symptoms.The first changes can be stopped with early diagnosis, preserving all the functions of the movable joints.
At a later stage, with significant deformity and the ineffectiveness of conservative treatment, surgery to replace the affected joint is recommended.
Pathological causes
Arthritis of the ankle joint develops when the following factors appear:
- With age, pathological changes in the body begin, triggering the destruction process in the moving joints of the bones.People over the age of fifty may be at risk, especially if they lead an unhealthy lifestyle or have co-morbidities.
- With the appearance of extra pounds, the load increases, which creates excessive pressure on the joints.The foot in the foot area begins to change shape, and at the same time, the cartilage tissue, which acts as a natural shock absorber, wears out.
- Intense physical activity during work or sports training.Joints are subjected to frequent increased pressure, which has a physiologically damaging effect.
- Injury to the ankle joint (fracture, dislocation, sprain, bruise) in various stages.Mechanical effects with the appearance of microtraumas change the course of the self-renewal process in the joint.
- Dropping the arch of the foot, which appears at birth or is acquired during life.Improper load distribution during movement and impaired spring function is compensated by nearby joints, i.e. ankles.
- Congenital defects in the absence of necessary treatment lead to adverse consequences for the body, including degenerative changes in joint tissue.
- Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint can be a direct result of wearing the wrong shoes, which ensure the wrong foot position while walking.High heels, insufficient models, complete absence of heels, uncomfortable durability, mismatched shoe sizes "kill" your feet.
- Muscle tone decreases due to a sedentary lifestyle.
- There is a genetic predisposition.If relatives have been diagnosed with a pathology, the person exposes himself to a great risk by not following the rules of prevention.
- Autoimmune diseases cause arthrosis.The basis of this group of diseases is the self-destruction of the body by its own cells.
- Metabolic disorders affect the joints, creating a lack of "building" material in the form of microelements.
- Pathologies that occur when the endocrine glands do not work: diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and others.
- Hormonal disturbances during the period of body reorganization in older women.
Signs of illness
Arthrosis of the ankle joint has a hidden beginning.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 stage was discovered by chance;one does not seek medical help during this period.
In the early stages, pain in the ankle area appears during fast running, long walking, and jumping.After resting, the pain disappears and does not bother the patient while resting.The level of dystrophic changes in the cartilage lasts for years;in the next stage, ankle arthrosis affects the bone layer.
In the second phase of arthrosis, a clicking sound appears when moving the leg, and the pain becomes more intense during exercise.In the morning, after waking up, there is some stiffness in the joints, which disappears after the patient walks a little.
As the process worsens, the joint begins to change shape.The patient experiences an almost imperceptible lameness in the affected leg, therefore the body tries to adapt physiologically to the normal pain during movement.Gradually, a limited range of motion of the ankle joint appears.
When significant narrowing of the joint space occurs, the pain syndrome becomes regular.Changes in the shape of the joint can be seen visually;because of this, shortening of the diseased lower limb is possible.
The third stage of ankle joint extension is characterized by severe crepitus and joint contracture.Pain in the ankle joint bothers you not only during the day, but also at night, during sleep.A person cannot walk without rehabilitation equipment (canes, crutches, walkers), performance is impaired, and this stage most 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 painful area of the ankle;
- swelling of soft tissue in the area of inflamed bone joints;
- redness of the skin;
- local temperature increase.
How to treat ankle arthrosis
Orthopedic specialists diagnose and prescribe treatment.Treatment procedures, except for joint injections and some physiotherapy procedures, are carried out on an outpatient basis.Therapeutic procedures are prescribed in combination and carried out in parallel with each other to increase their effect.
It is impossible to restore damaged tissue and correct deformation;the main role of treatment is to stop the disease process and maintain the condition of the composition at the same level, preventing deterioration.Strict adherence to the doctor's recommendations will ensure the desired effect.
Treatment with drugs
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the form of tablets or ointments for external use.NSAIDs simultaneously have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.Doses and regimens are prescribed by medical specialists, taking into account individual indications.It is not recommended to take drugs from this pharmacological group by yourself;NSAIDs have many side effects, especially on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Chondroprotectors replenish the joints 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 developing inflammation.Hormonal drugs act on acute pain, allergic reactions, and inflammation.They can be injected intramuscularly or directly into the diseased joint to perform the restriction.
Motor mode
Arthrosis of the ankle joint forces you to change your entire lifestyle.Physical activity should be measured.It is forbidden to burden the joints by walking long distances, intense physical exercise, or carrying loads.Active movement should alternate with rest;Prolonged static loads are prohibited.
To prevent deterioration of the ankle joint, it is useful to wear orthopedic or anatomically correct shoes.To achieve the effect of shock absorption, orthopedic insoles are used daily.
Preventive orthopedic bandages protect joints from excessive load and provide local compression and micromassage effects.If the injury has occurred before or the arthrosis is in a severe stage, the preferred option is an orthosis with metal inserts that can fix the joint.
Diet therapy
The principles of proper nutrition should be the basis of the diet of a person with joint disease.
The following items should be excluded from the menu:
- fatty meat and fish soups;
- smoked products and sausages;
- canned food and semi-finished products;
- sugar and confectionery;
- sweetened carbonated drinks and coffee;
- alcoholic beverages;
- mayonnaise and sour cream with high fat content.
You need to eat in small portions to monitor your weight and avoid extra pounds.These measures will ensure the prevention of additional pressure on the joints and the supply of the necessary substances to nourish the joint cells in sufficient quantity.
Therapeutic exercise
Physical exercise for therapeutic purposes should be present during joint destruction.The exercise therapy complex is organized by medical experts - physiotherapy instructors.With the correct technique and a therapeutic dose load on the affected ankle area, blood circulation improves, muscle tone increases, and range of motion increases.
In order for the class to bring only benefits, you need to remember when you cannot engage in physical therapy:
- acute period accompanied by inflammation;
- the appearance of pain when doing exercises in the ankle;
- movement, number of repetitions and range of movement must be strictly agreed with the doctor.
To achieve good results you need to be patient.Regular exercise will keep the ankle joint in good shape.
Physiotherapy procedures
- Electrophoresis is prescribed to introduce drugs into the patient's body using an electric current.
- Exposure to pulsed magnetic current is carried out in a course of twenty procedures, then a break is taken for two months.During the non-magnet period, the cumulative effect of completed courses will remain.
- Infrared radiation is prescribed to the sore leg, which will provide a lasting anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
People's recovery
The use of alternative medicine recipes from available natural ingredients can be used for arthrosis patients.
- It is useful to apply crushed garlic with vegetable oil to the painful joint for 8 hours, spreading it in a thin layer.Anti-inflammatory herbs will help relieve pain and inflammation.
- Raw potatoes are grated and used as a compress, placed on the ankle.This product will relieve swelling and reduce joint pain.
- Raw materials dry hops and St. wort.John mixed a dessert spoon at a time, and fifty milliliters of petroleum jelly was added to the resulting mass.The resulting ointment is applied in the morning and evening to the sore spot.
Surgical intervention for ankle arthrosis
The last stage of the disease, in which complete blocking of the joint occurs, cannot be treated conservatively.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.
This therapy is based on the replacement of worn joints with an artificial prosthesis, which will allow a person to maintain free movement and vital activities.A replacement joint will last more than ten years, depending on the quality of the material from which it is made.
Preventive measures
Preventing disease is always easier than treating it later.An active lifestyle without bad habits is the key to joint health.Staying at an optimal body weight at any age is useful not only for a beautiful appearance, but also for removing unwanted stress on all organs and body systems.
A lot of attention must be paid to shoes:
- the model must be in correct anatomical form;
- made from natural materials;
- the use of orthopedic insoles will ensure the correct distribution of the load on the lower limbs;
- size and fullness must match the foot;
- shoes should be suitable for this season to avoid hypothermia, which has a negative effect on the joints.
At the first sign of discomfort in the ankle joint or pain when moving, you should see a doctor for an early diagnosis.If the pathology is noticed in time, it can be treated easily, which will allow you to avoid severe development and maintain a beautiful gait until old age.