Arthrosis of the ankle joint develops at any age.Dystrophic changes lead to gradual immobilization of the joint.Treatment in the early stages leads to a positive result;Neglect of the process can be corrected with the help of surgery.
The ankle joint is one of the movable joints of the lower extremities and 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 lead to a pathological effect on the neighboring components.
The disease itself destroys connective and bone tissue.Osteoarthritis deforms the joint, deprives it of mobility and can cause a total loss of motor capacity.
Pathogenesis of ankle osteoarthritis.
One of the complex joints of the human being, shaped like a block, connects the fibula and tibia of the leg with the talus of the foot.The anatomical structure allows the joint to move in several planes, performing not only abduction forward, backward and sideways, 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 osteoarthritis causes serious health problems that deprive the patient of their ability to work.
The initial stage of the disease is characterized by pathological processes that destroy the cartilage layer, making it thin and inelastic.
A structure change of this type implies a restructuring of all components:
- the joint space between the heads of the bones becomes narrow;
- the synovial fluid changes its chemical composition and thickens;
- the inner lining of the joint capsule becomes inflamed;
- the subarchid bone layer becomes dense and grows;
- with a long course of the disease, osteophytes (bone growths) appear;
- the joint is deformed.
The whole process takes a long time.The initial phase is dangerous due to the mildness of the symptoms.The first changes can be stopped with an early diagnosis, preserving all the functionality of the mobile joint.
In later stages, with significant deformities and the ineffectiveness of conservative treatment, surgery is recommended to replace the affected joint.
Causes of pathology
Arthrosis of the ankle joint develops when the following factors appear:
- With age, pathological changes begin in the body, which trigger the process of destruction in the mobile joint of bones.People over fifty years of age may be at risk, especially if they lead an unhealthy lifestyle or suffer from comorbidities.
- 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 cartilage 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.The mechanical impact with the appearance of microtrauma changes the course of self-renewal processes in the joint.
- Falling arches of the feet, which appear at birth or are acquired during life.Incorrect load distribution during movement and impaired spring function are compensated for by the nearby joint, which is the ankle.
- Congenital deformities, in the absence of necessary treatment, have adverse consequences for the body, including degenerative changes in joint tissue.
- Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint can be a direct consequence of wearing inappropriate shoes, which cause an incorrect position of the foot when walking.High heels, insufficient fullness of the model, complete absence of heels, uncomfortable lasts, mismatched shoe sizes "kill" your 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 the joints and cause a shortage of “building” material in the form of microelements.
- Pathologies that occur with poor functioning of the endocrine glands: diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and others.
- Hormonal disorders during the period of body restructuring in older women.
Signs of the disease
Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint has a hidden onset.Symptoms do not manifest themselves clearly, so the patient may not pay attention to unpleasant sensations in the pelvic area during active movements.The first stage is discovered by chance;a person does not seek medical help during this period.
In the initial stage, pain in the ankle area appears when running fast, walking a lot and jumping.After rest, the pain disappears and does not bother the patient at rest.The stage of dystrophic changes in cartilage lasts for years;In the next stage, ankle osteoarthritis 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 a barely noticeable limp in the affected leg, so 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 noted;Due to this, a shortening of the diseased lower limb is possible.
The third advanced stage of the ankle joint is characterized by severe crepitus and contracture of the joint.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 osteoarthritis, an inflammatory process that develops on the inner surface of the joint capsule can appear.
The symptoms are:
- stabbing pain in the sore ankle area;
- soft tissue swelling 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.Therapeutic 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 to enhance the effect.
It is impossible to restore damaged tissue and correct deformation;The main function of treatment is to stop the disease process and maintain the state of the composition at the same level, preventing its deterioration.Strict compliance with the doctor's recommendations will guarantee the desired effect.
Drug treatment
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the form of tablets or ointments for external use.NSAIDs simultaneously have an anti-inflammatory effect and an analgesic effect.The dosage and regimen are prescribed by a specialist doctor, taking into account individual indicators.It is not recommended to take drugs from this pharmacological group on your own;NSAIDs have many side effects, especially in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Chondroprotectors replenish the joint with all the missing chemical elements, which stop the destruction process and restore the cells of the joint.To achieve a long-lasting therapeutic effect, it is necessary to take chondroprotectors for a long time.
- Glucocorticoids are used for developed inflammation.Hormonal drugs act on acute pain, allergic reactions and inflammation.They can be injected intramuscularly or directly into the diseased joint to create a block.
Engine mode
Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint forces you to change your entire lifestyle.Physical activity should 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 useful to wear correct orthopedic or anatomical footwear.To achieve a shock absorption 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 occurred previously or osteoarthritis is in a severe 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 disease.
The following should be excluded from the menu:
- fatty meat and fish broths;
- smoked and sausage products;
- preserved and semi-finished products;
- sugar and confectionery;
- sweet carbonated drinks and coffee;
- alcoholic beverages;
- high-fat mayonnaise and sour cream.
You need to eat in small portions to control your weight and avoid extra pounds.These measures will ensure the prevention of additional loads on the joints and the supply of substances necessary to nourish the joint cells in sufficient quantities.
therapeutic exercise
During the destructuring of the joints, physical exercises for therapeutic purposes must be present.The physiotherapy complex is prepared by a specialist doctor - a physiotherapy instructor.With the correct technique and a 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 motion must be strictly agreed with the doctor.
To achieve good results you have to be patient.Regular exercise will put your ankle joints in good shape.
Physiotherapeutic procedures.
- Electrophoresis is prescribed to introduce medications into the patient's body using electrical current.
- Exposure to a pulsed magnetic current is carried out in courses of twenty procedures, then a two-month break is taken.During the entire period of non-use of the magnet, the cumulative effect of the completed course will be maintained.
- Infrared radiation is prescribed to 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, which are placed on the ankle.The product will relieve swelling and reduce pain in the joint.
- The dried raw materials of hops and St. John's wort are mixed one dessert spoon at a time and fifty milliliters of Vaseline are added to the resulting mass.The resulting ointment is applied in the morning and evening to the painful area.
Surgical intervention for ankle osteoarthritis.
The later stages of the disease, in which a 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, osteoarthritis of the ankle joint can only be treated by surgery.
The therapy is based on the replacement of a worn joint with an artificial prosthesis, which will allow the person to maintain independent movement 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 an optimal weight at any age is useful not only to have a beautiful appearance, but also to free the body from unwanted tension in all organs and systems.
Close attention should be paid to shoes:
- the models must have the correct anatomical shape;
- made of natural materials;
- the use of orthopedic insoles will ensure adequate distribution of the load on the lower extremity;
- size and fullness must match the foot;
- Shoes should be appropriate for the season to prevent hypothermia, which negatively affects the joints.
At the first sign of discomfort in the ankle joint or pain when moving, it is advisable to 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 good walking until old age.