Ankle arthrosis develops at any age.Dystrophic changes lead to gradual immobilization of the joint.In the first stages, the treatment 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 limb and plays an important role in the walking process.Physiologically, a malfunction in one of the joints is designed to have a pathological effect on the adjacent components.
The disease itself destroys connective and bone tissue.Arthrosis deforms the joint, deprives it of mobility and can lead to a complete loss of motor ability.
Pathogenesis of ankle arthrosis
One of the block-shaped complex joints in humans connects the fibula and tibia bones of the foot with the talus of the foot.The anatomical structure allows the joint to move in several planes, not only for forward, backward and lateral abduction, but also for easy circular movements.
Degenerative-dystrophic disease affecting the ankle often occurs not only in old age.Precipitating factors can contribute to the development of the disease by intersecting with the main causes.Ankle arthrosis leads to serious health problems and deprives the patient of his ability to work.
The initial stage of the disease is characterized by pathological processes that destroy the cartilage layer, making it thin and inelastic.
Such a change in the structure requires the reconstruction of all components:
- the joint space between the heads of the bones narrows;
- synovial fluid changes its chemical composition and thickens;
- the inner layer of the joint capsule is inflamed;
- the subarchidal layer of the bone becomes denser and larger;
- with a long course of the disease, osteophytes (bone growths) appear;
- the joint is deformed.
The whole process takes a long time.The initial stage is dangerous due to the smoothness of the symptoms.Early changes can be stopped by early diagnosis, preserving all the functionality of the movable joint.
In the later stages, with significant deformations 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:
- Pathological changes in the body begin with age, triggering the process of destruction in the mobile joint of bones.People over the age of fifty may be at risk, especially if the person lives an unhealthy lifestyle or has co-morbidities.
- With the appearance of extra pounds, the load increases, which creates excessive pressure on the joint.The foot in the foot area begins to deform, and at the same time, the cartilage tissue, which performs the function of a natural shock absorber, wears out.
- Intense physical activity during work or sports training.The joint is regularly subjected to increased pressure, which has a physiologically devastating effect.
- Ankle joint injuries of various degrees (fractures, sprains, sprains, bruises).With the appearance of microtraumas, mechanical impact changes the course of self-renewal processes in the joint.
- Dropping of the arches of the feet, which is visible at birth or acquired during life.Improper distribution of the load during movement and impaired function of the spring is compensated by a nearby joint, which is the ankle.
- In the absence of proper treatment, congenital deformities cause negative consequences for the body, including degenerative changes in the joint tissue.
- Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint can be a direct result of wearing the wrong shoes, which ensure the wrong position of the foot when walking.High-heeled shoes, insufficient fullness of the model, complete lack of heels, uncomfortable fit, inappropriate shoe sizes "kill" your feet.
- Decreased muscle tone due to a sedentary lifestyle.
- There is a genetic predisposition.If pathology has been detected in relatives, a person exposes himself to great risk by not following the rules of prevention.
- Autoimmune diseases cause arthrosis.The basis of this group of diseases is that the body destroys itself by its own cells.
- Metabolic disorders affect the joints, causing a lack of "building" material in the form of trace elements.
- Pathologies that occur when the endocrine glands do not work: diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and others.
- Hormonal disorders during body reconstruction in elderly women.
Symptoms of the disease
Arthrosis of the ankle joint has an insidious beginning.Symptoms do not manifest themselves clearly, so the patient may not pay attention to unpleasant sensations in the pelvic region during active movements.The first stage is discovered by chance;a person does not seek medical care during this period.
At the initial stage, pain in the ankle area appears during fast running, long walks and jumping.After rest, the pain disappears and does not bother the patient during rest.The stage of dystrophic changes in cartilage lasts for years;in the next stage, ankle arthrosis affects the bone layer.
In the second stage of arthrosis, a clicking sound occurs when moving the leg, and the pain becomes stronger during exercise.After waking up in the morning, there is a slight stiffness in the joint, which passes after the patient walks a little.
Joint deformation begins with the deterioration of the process.The patient develops a slight limp in the affected leg, so the body tries to physiologically adapt to 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 is regular.The change in the shape of the joint is visually noticeable;therefore, it is possible to shorten the diseased lower limbs.
The advanced third stage of ankle sprain 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 and during sleep.A person cannot walk without rehabilitation equipment (cane, crutches, walker), performance is impaired, and this stage leads to the most disability.
At any stage of arthrosis, an inflammatory process developing on the inner surface of the joint capsule can be seen.
The symptoms are:
- throbbing pain in the area of the painful ankle;
- swelling of the soft tissues in the area of the inflamed bone joint;
- redness of the skin;
- increase in local temperature.
How to treat ankle arthrosis
The orthopedist diagnoses and prescribes treatment.Treatment procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, except for joint injections and some physiotherapy procedures.Therapeutic procedures are prescribed in combination and are carried out in parallel to each other to increase the effect.
It is impossible to restore the damaged tissue and correct the deformation;the main role of treatment is to stop the disease process and maintain the condition of the composition at the same level, prevent deterioration.Strict adherence to the doctor's recommendations will ensure the desired effect.
Treatment with drugs
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the form of tablets or ointments for external use.NSAIDs simultaneously have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.Dosage and regimen are prescribed by a medical specialist, taking into account individual indications.It is not recommended to take drugs from this pharmacological group;NSAIDs have many side effects, especially on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Chondroprotectors fill the joint with all the missing chemical elements, which stops the destruction process and restores the cells of the joint.It is necessary to take chondroprotectors for a long time to achieve a continuous therapeutic effect.
- Glucocorticoids are used for advanced inflammation.Hormonal drugs act against acute pain, allergic reactions and inflammation.They can be injected intramuscularly or directly into the affected joint to perform the blockade.
Motor mode
Arthrosis of the ankle joint forces you to change your whole lifestyle.Physical activity should be measured.It is forbidden to overload the joint by long walks, intense physical training or weight bearing.Active movements should alternate with rest;long-term static load is prohibited.
To prevent deterioration of the ankle joint, it is useful to wear the correct orthopedic or anatomical shoes.Orthopedic insoles are used daily to achieve shock absorption effect.
Prophylactic orthopedic bandages protect the joint from excessive load and provide local compression and micromassage effects.If there have been previous injuries or if arthrosis 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;
- canned goods and semi-finished products;
- sugar and confectionery;
- sweet carbonated drinks and coffee;
- alcoholic beverages;
- mayonnaise and sour cream with a high fat content.
To monitor your weight and prevent extra pounds, you need to eat in small portions.These measures will ensure the prevention of additional stress on the joints and the provision of the necessary substances for sufficient nutrition of the joint cells.
Therapeutic exercise
During joint destruction, there should be physical exercises for therapeutic purposes.The exercise therapy complex is designed by a medical specialist - physiotherapy instructor.With proper technique and a therapeutic dose of load in the area of the affected ankle, blood circulation improves, muscle tone increases, and range of motion increases.
You need to remember that you can't do physical therapy so that classes only bring benefits:
- acute period accompanied by inflammation;
- the appearance of pain during exercises in the ankle;
- movements, number of repetitions and range of motion must be strictly agreed with the doctor.
You need to be patient to get good results.Regular exercise will keep the ankle joints smooth and in good shape.
Physiotherapy procedures
- Electrophoresis is prescribed to introduce drugs into the patient's body using electric current.
- Exposure to pulsed magnetic current is carried out in courses of twenty procedures, followed by a two-month break.The cumulative effect of the completed course will remain for the entire time the magnet is not in use.
- Infrared radiation is prescribed to the painful leg, which will have a continuous anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
Folk treatment
The use of alternative medicine recipes from available natural substances can be used for patients with arthrosis.
- Spreading a thin layer of crushed garlic with vegetable oil and applying it to the painful joint for 8 hours is useful.An herbal anti-inflammatory will help relieve pain and inflammation.
- Raw potatoes are grated and used as a compress, placed on the ankle.The product will eliminate swelling and reduce pain in the joint.
- Hops and St. John's wort dry raw materials are mixed one dessert spoon at a time and fifty milliliters of petroleum jelly is added to the obtained mass.The resulting ointment is applied to the painful area in the morning and evening.
Surgery for ankle arthrosis
The final stages of the disease, in which the joint is completely blocked, cannot be treated with conservative means.This fact is related to the fact that the developed deformation is irreversible.In this case, arthrosis of the ankle joint can be treated only with surgery.
The therapy is based on the replacement of the worn-out joint with an artificial prosthesis, which will allow the person to maintain independent movement and life activities.A replacement joint will last more than ten years, depending on the quality of the material from which it is made.
Preventive measures
It is always easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later.An active lifestyle without bad habits is the key to healthy joints.Maintaining an optimal weight at any age is beneficial not only for good looks, but also for relieving the body of unwanted stress on all organs and systems.
A lot of attention should be paid to shoes:
- models must be of correct anatomical shape;
- made of natural materials;
- the use of orthopedic insoles will ensure proper distribution of the load on the lower extremities;
- size and fullness should match the foot;
- shoes should be suitable for the season to prevent 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 consult a doctor for an early diagnosis.If the pathology is noticed in time, it can be easily treated, which will allow you to avoid severe development and maintain a beautiful gait until old age.