Ankle osteoarthritis is a degenerative dystrophic pathological disorder characterized by the gradual destruction of cartilage, skeletal and adjacent bone structures, as well as ligaments and even muscles, leading to impaired mobility and even disability of the patient. The reason for the development of such a pathology may be traumatic injury, in which develops post-traumatic arthrosis of the ankle, metabolic disorders in the body or some inflammatory diseases.
Do not self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult your doctor.
The diagnosis of pathology is made taking into account the patient's complaints, as well as on the basis of the results of X-ray examination and ultrasound. It is necessary for the disease to be treated mainly conservatively and only in severe (neglected) cases is surgical intervention indicated.
The disease has a chronic wavy course, in which periods of exacerbation alternate with periods of calm, but nevertheless, the progression of the pathology, even in the absence of symptoms, continues, therefore, over time, the ankle is completely destroyed if treatment is carried out. not performed. Most often, the elderly suffer from osteoarthritis, due to natural metabolic processes in the body, but there are other reasons for the development of osteoarthritis.
Causes
In medical practice, there are two types of osteoarthritis: primary and secondary. Primary develops as an independent pathology, for no apparent reason. The secondary is the result of some negative effect, for example, traumatic injuries.
The main causes of the disease can be as follows:
- diabetes;
- thyroid disease;
- excess weight;
- persistent microtrauma that may occur in people who play sports or walk regularly in high heels;
- rheumatic pathologies;
- traumatic injuries in this area (fracture, dislocation);
- inflammatory processes that develop as a result of diseases such as gout, arthritis;
- inherited metabolic disorders leading to tissue thinning.
Sometimes the disease occurs in children and its causes can be:
- tissue dysplasia;
- congenital anomalies;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- trauma;
- Inflammatory diseases of the joints.
Scales and symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the ankle naturally has three degrees, which define the symptoms of the disease. It is important to remember that the disease develops gradually, therefore, disorders in the joints will be insignificant at first, and then more and more pronounced. At the same time, the changes that have appeared are already irreversible, and the treatment of pathology at one stage or another will only consist in preventing the progression of the disease.
In the first stage of the disease, the tissue becomes thinner, and this does not occur on the entire surface, but in separate parts - specific islands are formed.
First degree disease is characterized by the following symptoms:
- excessive fatigue with prolonged stress on the legs;
- discomfort in the ankle area after walking on the heel;
- small pains that disappear at rest.
X-ray examination or ultrasound does not reveal any pathological changes in the joints, therefore, at this stage, doctors can not make a diagnosis.
In the first stage of the disease, it can be treated at home with folk remedies - first of all, refuse to wear heels, lose weight (if necessary), do exercise therapy and also use some popular methods, which will be discussed below.
With the second stage of the pathological process in those areas where the tissues are thinned, the load falls on the lower bone. Because of this, it grows, forming osteophytes, which damage healthy areas of cartilage tissue located opposite or nearby. The symptoms of second degree osteoarthritis are already more obvious, these are:
- pain with less stress, which does not go away immediately after stopping;
- the appearance of night pains that interfere with the quality of sleep;
- restriction of joint mobility in the morning (it takes some time to function);
- joint reaction to weather.
In the third degree, deforming arthrosis of the ankle joint develops. During this period, the tissues of the entire joint become thinner, like bone structures, the muscles on one side are overly stretched, and on the other hand, they spasm, trying to keep the joint in the right position. Symptoms of the third degree of a pathology such as deforming arthrosis of the ankle are accompanied by a complete violation of its mobility and severe pain:
- severe pain that does not stop even at rest;
- in the morning hours, the key requires long-term development even to make minimal movements;
- cracking sensation;
- the need to take sedatives to relieve pain;
- restriction or even complete impairment of mobility in the affected area.
Pathologies such as traumatic arthrosis of the ankle are characterized by several other symptoms:
- swelling and redness in the affected area;
- increase in local temperature;
- crackling or crepitus.
Diagnosis and treatment
An crucial role in diagnosing the disease is assigned to the X-ray examination. However, it is important for the doctor to listen to the patient's complaints, which may allow him to make a diagnosis at an early stage, when radiographic changes are not visible. . In severe cases, the patient is referred for an CT or MRI of the ankle.
Treatment of ankle osteoarthritis depends on the stage of the disease. In the initial stage, it is enough to change the lifestyle and the proper motor regime. Massage and exercise therapy will be helpful at this stage, which will improve blood circulation. If we talk about treatment with folk remedies that can be used at home, then it can reduce pain and ease the inflammatory process. These popular remedies that anyone can use at home are:
- rubbing olive oil on the affected area in the morning;
- the use of burdock leaves in the form of adhesions to the injured joint all night;
- preparing a comfrey oil and rubbing it on the affected area twice a day;
- taking the mumiyo inside in the form of tablets and rubbing it into the affected joint.
There are other alternative methods of treatment, but it is important to remember that they are not a cure for the disease and that only their complex use along with medication therapy, diet, exercise therapy and proper lifestyle will stop the progression. of destruction.
If we talk about treating osteoarthritis of the ankle with medication, then it consists in the use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications. In addition, patients are prescribed chondroprotectors that protect the node for a long time (at least six months).
To improve nutrition of the affected joint, the use of vascular drugs such as niacin is indicated. Hyaluronic acid therapy is considered effective and in some cases a single administration of hormones is required.
It is also necessary to treat the disease in combination with physiotherapy methods. Special exercises for ankle osteoarthritis are indicated, which in each case are chosen by a physiotherapist. It is very important that gymnastics with ankle osteoarthritis does not cause pain to the patient, but at the same time, the person should experience some discomfort, as otherwise the procedure will be ineffective.
Among other physiotherapeutic methods, it is indicated:
- magnetotherapy;
- laser therapy;
- phonophoresis;
- thermal procedures and some other types of exposure.
Surgical surgery for this disease is indicated only in severe cases when the joint is completely destroyed. Patients often have key prostheses, which move their limbs in motion, but other surgical techniques are also used - the doctor makes the choice taking into account the patient's condition.