Arthrosis of the ankle joint is a rather serious disease that always requires a qualified approach to treatment. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to overcome this pathology. However, modern medicine offers effective means to reduce the level of existing inflammation and slow the progression of the disease.
What is the disease?
The ankle joint connects the lower leg to the talus of the foot. Mainly, it moves along the frontal axis, thereby providing flexion and extension of the foot. Lateral movements are characterized by minimum amplitude.
Arthrosis of the ankle joint, whose symptoms and treatment are directly related, is a process of continuous destruction of the articular tissue. It causes the disruption of the normal structure of pathological tissues, the death of part of the cartilage cells, the formation of cracks on the surface and the compression of bones. If you do not take the medicine prescribed for arthrosis of the joints, it becomes deformed and it becomes impossible for it to function normally.
The older a person is, the higher the probability of developing degenerative-destructive changes. In this case, the musculoskeletal system is no exception. About 10% of the world's population over 40 years of age suffers from arthrosis. In developed countries, the number of patients aged 65 and older ranges from 60-80%.
Classification
The first stage of the disease is characterized by direct narrowing of the joint space, the cartilage itself swells and softens. Grade 2 arthrosis is distinguished by the formation of microcracks in the areas of greatest pressure of the articular heads and obvious protrusions in the areas of least pressure. In the third and fourth stages, cartilage rupture occurs, followed by the formation of cysts, the growth of so-called bone calluses (osteophytes). As a result, the articular heads straighten themselves, which does not allow the foot to perform normal movements.
The main reasons
In very rare cases, the disease is primary, that is, it occurs spontaneously. It is often secondary and is explained by the influence of a number of factors. The causes of arthrosis of the ankle joint can be the following:
- Damage to the musculoskeletal system of the foot and the joint itself (flat feet, hereditary connective tissue dysplasia).
- Post-traumatic arthrosis (sprain, sprain, bruises).
- Inflammation of immune nature.
- Infectious injury.
- Various types of neurological disorders (osteochondrosis, neuritis).
- Metabolic pathologies (obesity, rickets, gout).
The causes of arthrosis of the ankle joint are often found in the constant wearing of high-heeled shoes. The unnatural position of the foot causes the load on the ankle itself to increase several times. Athletes, dancers and those whose weight significantly exceeds standard indicators are also included in the risk group.
How does osteoarthritis of the ankle manifest itself? Symptoms and treatment
First of all, patients note painful discomfort when trying to fully stand on their legs, as well as the appearance of a characteristic crisis during movements. Over time, the pain intensifies and persists even at rest. Limitation of leg mobility along different axes is gradually aggravated. The joint itself increases in size, the leg is slightly bent. In the advanced stages of the pathology, pain can also be felt in the knee and hip joints.
Conservative therapy
Most pain relievers belong to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
These drugs allow you to get rid of pain, but they also have some disadvantages. The fact is that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have an extremely negative effect on the gastric mucosa. For example, with long-term use in patients, gastritis often worsens and even an ulcer appears. Therefore, in order to minimize the negative consequences, the reception of such funds is prescribed in short courses.
Local treatment of the affected area involves reducing inflammation in the joint. Thus, it is possible to reduce the course of the disease, that is, to keep the inflammatory process under constant control. Therapy is also prescribed when the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is ineffective.
Local treatment involves the use of gels containing anesthetic components. However, this cost is fully justified. Ointments and gels have an excellent therapeutic effect, especially when combined with other drugs.
Some patients are prescribed chondroprotectors. They help to restore cartilage and significantly improve tissue synthesis.
Surgical treatment
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to eliminate ankle arthrosis with medication alone. Sometimes drugs are ineffective. In this case, the doctor decides on surgical intervention. The safest way to stop the degenerative process is arthroscopy.
This procedure is performed through a special tool that is inserted into the affected area through micro-cuts. This operation allows you to remove all bone growths.
exercise therapy
Exercise therapy is prescribed for many types of arthrosis. Such exercises are especially effective in the post-traumatic variant of the disease. Therapeutic exercises for arthrosis are primarily aimed at restoring lost muscle tone, as well as expanding the range of motion in the ankle itself.
First of all, such exercises that require a minimum load are selected. They are performed in a lying position (for example, circular movements on the leg). Then the lessons become difficult. Exercises are performed in a sitting position (legs are rolled without lifting the heels off the floor). Note that in each case a number of exercises are selected individually by the doctor.
Prevention
First of all, experts recommend avoiding injuries and mechanical damage to the joint. For this, you should choose shoes with stable heels, and use special protective equipment when doing sports.
It is very important to control body weight, because excess weight is often the main reason for the development of arthrosis of the ankle joint. The symptoms and treatment of this pathology should not be ignored. When the initial symptoms appear, you should seek qualified help, do not try to solve the problem yourself.
Also, experts recommend following a diet with a high amount of protein foods. For a while, you should avoid excessively salty and fatty foods, as well as alcohol.
The result
In this article, we have explained in as much detail as possible what arthrosis of the ankle joint is. Symptoms and treatment, causes and prevention are just some of the topics that are answered in detail here. Note that the effectiveness of therapy for a disease depends not only on its specific stage of development and the presence of accompanying health problems, but also on competent compliance with all the doctor's recommendations.