Arthrosis of the ankle joint is a fairly serious disease that always requires a qualified approach to treatment. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to cope with this pathology. However, modern medicine offers effective means to reduce the level of existing inflammation and slow down the progression of the disease.
What is a disease?
The ankle joint connects the lower leg to the talus of the foot. Basically, it moves along the frontal axis, thereby providing flexion and extension of the foot. Lateral movements are characterized by a minimum amplitude.
Arthrosis of the ankle joint, the symptoms and treatment of which are directly interconnected, is a process of sequential destruction of the articular tissue. Pathology entails a violation of the usual structure of tissues, the death of part of the cartilage cells, the formation of cracks on its surface, and the compaction of bones. If you do not take the prescribed medicine for arthrosis of the joints, it is deformed, and its normal operation becomes really impossible.
The older the person, the higher the likelihood of developing degenerative-destructive changes in him. In this case, the musculoskeletal system is no exception. Approximately 10% of the world's population over the age of 40 is reported to suffer from arthrosis. In developed countries, the number of patients aged 65 years and older varies from 60 to about 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 distinguished by the fact that microcracks form in the areas of greatest pressure of the articular heads, and obvious protrusions in places of the least pressure. At the third and fourth stages, a cartilage rupture occurs, followed by the formation of cysts, the growth of so-called bone calluses (osteophytes). As a result, the articular heads themselves flatten, which does not allow the foot to perform the usual movements.
Main reasons
Very rarely, the disease is primary, that is, it occurs spontaneously. Most often it is secondary and is explained by the influence of a number of factors. Causes of osteoarthritis of the ankle joint can be as follows:
- Damage to the musculoskeletal apparatus of the foot and the joint itself (flat feet, hereditary connective tissue dysplasia).
- Post-traumatic arthrosis (dislocation, sprain, bruise).
- Inflammation of the immune nature.
- Infectious injury.
- Various kinds of 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 location of the foot provokes an increase in the load several times on the ankle itself. Athletes, dancers and those whose weight significantly exceeds the standard indicators are also included in the risk group.
How does arthrosis of the ankle manifest? Symptoms and treatment
First of all, patients note painful discomfort when trying to fully stand on their feet, as well as the appearance of a characteristic crunch during movements. Over time, the pain becomes stronger and persists even at rest. The restriction of foot mobility along various axes is gradually aggravated. The joint itself increases in size, the foot is slightly curved. In the advanced stages of the pathology, pain can also be felt in the knee and hip joints.
Conservative therapy
Most drugs that reduce pain 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 some disadvantages. The thing is that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have an extremely negative effect on the gastric mucosa. For example, with prolonged use in patients, gastritis often worsens and even an ulcer appears. That is why the reception of such funds is prescribed in short courses in order to minimize the negative consequences.
Local treatment of the affected area involves reducing inflammation in the joint. Thus, it is possible to reduce the progression of the disease, that is, to keep the inflammatory process under constant control. Such therapy is prescribed if the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has been ineffective.
Topical treatment includes the use of gels that have anesthetic components in their composition. However, this cost is fully justified. Ointments and gels give an excellent therapeutic effect, especially when combined with other medications.
Some patients are prescribed chondroprotectors. They help cartilage to recover and significantly improve tissue synthesis.
Surgical treatment
Unfortunately, it is far from always possible to overcome ankle arthrosis only through drug therapy. Sometimes medicines are ineffective. In this kind of situation, the doctor decides on surgical intervention. The safest way to stop the degenerative process is arthroscopy.
This procedure is carried out by means of a special instrument, which is introduced into the affected area through micro-incisions. This operation allows you to remove all bone growths.
exercise therapy
Exercise therapy is prescribed for many types of arthrosis. Especially such exercises are effective in post-traumatic variant of the disease. Therapeutic exercises for arthrosis are aimed primarily at restoring the lost muscle tone, as well as at expanding the range of motion in the ankle itself.
Initially, such exercises are selected that require a minimum load. They are performed in the supine position (for example, circular movements in the foot). Then the lessons get more difficult. Exercises are performed in a sitting position (foot rolls without lifting the heels from the floor). Note that in each case, a set of exercises is selected individually by a doctor.
Prevention
First of all, experts strongly recommend avoiding injuries and mechanical damage to the joint. To do this, you should choose shoes with stable heels, and when playing sports, use special protective equipment.
It is very important to control body weight, because it is overweight that is often the main reason that arthrosis of the ankle joint develops. Symptoms and treatment of this pathology should not be ignored. When primary symptoms appear, you should seek qualified help, do not try to solve the problem yourself.
Also, experts recommend following a diet with a high content of protein foods. You should give up for some time excessively salty and fatty foods, as well as alcohol.
Conclusion
In this article, we told 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 for which detailed answers are provided here. Note that the effectiveness of therapy for a disease depends not only on its specific stage of development and the presence of concomitant health problems, but also on the competent adherence to all doctor's recommendations.