Arthrosis of the ankle joint is a rather serious disease that always requires professional treatment. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to cope with this pathology. However, modern medicine offers effective means to reduce existing inflammation and slow the progression of the disease.
What is the disease?
The ankle joint connects the lower leg to the leg bone. Basically, it moves along the frontal axis, thereby providing flexion and extension of the leg. Lateral movements are characterized by minimal amplitude.
Arthrosis of the ankle joint, the symptoms and treatment of which are directly related to each other, is the process of sequential destruction of joint tissue. Pathology means a violation of the normal structure of the tissues, the death of part of the cartilage cells, the formation of cracks on its surface and the compaction of the bones. If you do not take the medicine prescribed for joint arthrosis, it will deform and its normal function will become impossible.
The older a person is, the greater the probability that degenerative-destructive changes will develop. In this case, the locomotor system is no exception. Approximately 10% of the world's population over 40 years of age suffer from arthrosis. In developed countries, the number of patients aged 65 and older varies between 60 and 80%.
Classification
The first stage of the disease is characterized by a direct narrowing of the joint space, the cartilage itself swells and softens. Arthrosis of the 2nd degree is characterized by the fact that microcracks form in the areas of the joint heads with the highest pressure, and obvious protrusions form in the places with the 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 joint heads themselves flatten, which does not allow the foot to perform normal movements.
Main reason
Very rarely, the disease is primary, i. e. occurs spontaneously. It is most often secondary and can be explained by the influence of many factors. The causes of osteoarthritis of the ankle joint can be:
- Damage to the locomotor system of the foot and the joint itself (flat feet, hereditary connective tissue dysplasia).
- Post-traumatic arthrosis (dislocation, sprain, contusion).
- Inflammation of the immune system.
- Infectious injury.
- Various neurological disorders (osteochondrosis, neuritis).
- Metabolic pathologies (obesity, rickets, gout).
The causes of arthrosis of the ankle joint often lie in the constant wearing of high-heeled shoes. The unnatural position of the foot multiplies the ankle itself. The risk group includes athletes, dancers and those whose weight significantly exceeds the standard indicators.
How does ankle arthrosis manifest itself? Symptoms and treatment
First of all, patients notice painful discomfort when trying to fully stand on their feet, as well as a characteristic crackling during movements. Over time, the pain becomes stronger and persists even at rest. Limitation of leg movement along different axes gradually worsens. The size of the joint itself increases, the foot is slightly curved. In advanced stages of the pathology, pain can also be felt in the knee and hip joints.
Conservative therapy
Most pain-relieving drugs belong to the group of so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
These drugs allow you to get rid of pain, but they also have disadvantages. The fact is that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have an extremely negative effect on the mucous membrane of the stomach. For example, with long-term use, gastritis often worsens and even ulcers appear. That is why the reception of such funds is prescribed in short courses in order to minimize negative consequences.
Local treatment of the affected area involves reducing joint inflammation. This makes it possible to reduce the progression of the disease, that is, to keep the inflammatory process under continuous control. Such therapy is prescribed when the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was ineffective.
Local treatment involves the use of gels that contain anesthetic components. However, this cost is fully justified. Ointments and gels have an excellent therapeutic effect, especially in combination with other drugs.
Some patients are prescribed chondroprotectors. They help restore cartilage and significantly improve tissue synthesis.
Surgical treatment
Unfortunately, ankle arthrosis cannot always be overcome with medication alone. Sometimes medicines are ineffective. In such cases, the doctor decides on surgical intervention. The safest way to stop the degenerative process is arthroscopy.
This procedure is performed with a special instrument that is inserted into the affected area through a micro-incision. This operation allows you to remove all bony growths.
exercise therapy
Exercise therapy is prescribed for many types of arthrosis. Such exercises are especially effective in the post-traumatic version of the disease. The goal of therapeutic exercises for arthrosis is primarily to restore lost muscle tone and to expand the range of motion of the ankle itself.
Initially, exercises that require minimal load are selected. It is performed in a supine position (for example, circular movements in the feet). Then the lessons get harder. Exercises are performed in a sitting position (rolling the leg without lifting the heel off the floor). Note that in each case a set of exercises is selected by the doctor.
Prevention
Above all, experts strongly recommend avoiding injuries and mechanical damage to the joint. For this, you must choose shoes with stable heels and use special protective equipment when playing sports.
It is very important to control your body weight, because excess weight is often the main cause of arthrosis of the ankle joint. The symptoms and treatment of this pathology should not be ignored. When the primary symptoms appear, you should seek professional help, do not try to solve the problem on your own.
In addition, experts recommend following a high-protein diet. For a while, you need to give up excessively salty and fatty foods, as well as alcohol.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained in as much detail as possible what constitutes arthrosis of the ankle joint. Symptoms and treatment, causes and prevention are just some of the topics that are answered in detail here. Remember that the effectiveness of disease therapy depends not only on the specific stage of development and the presence of concurrent health problems, but also on competent compliance with all the doctor's recommendations.