Ankle arthrosis develops at any age.Dystrophic changes lead to gradual immobilization of the joint.Treatment in the first stages leads to a positive result;neglect of the process can be corrected with the help of surgery.
The ankle joint is one of the mobile joints of the lower limbs, which plays an important role in the walking process.Physiologically, it is designed in such a way that a malfunction in one of the joints will bring about a pathological effect on the neighboring components.
The disease itself destroys connective and bone tissue.Arthrosis deforms the joint, deprives it of mobility and can lead to complete loss of motor skills.
Pathogenesis of ankle arthrosis
One of the complex, block-shaped joints in humans connects the fibula and tibia of the leg to the tailbone.The anatomical structure allows the joint to move in several planes, performing not only forward, backward and lateral abduction, but also easily perform circular movements.
Degenerative-dystrophic disease affecting the ankle joint often occurs not only in old age.Provocative factors can contribute to the development of the disease, intersecting with the underlying causes.Ankle arthrosis leads to serious health problems, depriving the patient of the 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 structure involves a restructuring of all components:
- the joint space between the heads of the bones becomes narrow;
- synovial fluid changes its chemical composition and thickens;
- the inner lining of the joint capsule becomes inflamed;
- the subarchidal layer of bone becomes dense and grows;
- with a prolonged course of the disease, osteophytes (bone growth) appear;
- the joint is deformed.
The whole process takes a long time.The initial stage is dangerous because of the mildness of the symptoms.Early changes can be stopped with early diagnosis, preserving all the functionality of the mobile joint.
In later stages, with significant deformations and ineffectiveness of conservative treatment, surgery is recommended to replace the affected joint.
Pathology causes
Ankle arthrosis develops when the following factors appear:
- With age, pathological changes begin in the body, causing the process of destruction in the mobile bone joint.People over fifty may be at risk, especially if the person leads an unhealthy lifestyle or has co-morbidities.
- With the appearance of excess kilograms, the load increases, which creates excessive pressure on the joints.The leg in the foot area begins to deform, and at the same time, the cartilage tissue, which acts as a natural shock absorber, wears out.
- Intense physical activity during work or sports training.The joint is subjected to regular increased pressure, which has a physiologically destructive effect.
- Injury of the ankle joint (breaks, dislocations, sprains, bruises) of various degrees.Mechanical impact with the appearance of microtraumas changes the course of self-renewal processes in the joints.
- Falling of the arches of the feet, which appears at birth or is acquired during life.The incorrect distribution of the load during movement and the damaged function of the spring are compensated by the nearby joint, which is the ankle.
- Congenital deformities in the absence of necessary treatment lead to negative consequences for the body, including degenerative changes in joint tissues.
- Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint can be a direct consequence of wearing the wrong shoes, which ensure an incorrect foot position while walking.High heels, insufficient fullness of the model, complete lack of heels, uncomfortable protrusions, mismatch of shoe sizes "kill" your feet.
- Decreased muscle tone due to a sedentary lifestyle.
- There is a genetic predisposition.If relatives have been diagnosed with pathology, the person exposes himself to a great risk by not respecting the rules of prevention.
- Autoimmune diseases provoke arthrosis.The basis of this group of diseases is the self-destruction of the body by its own cells.
- Metabolic disorders affect the joints, creating a lack of "building" material in the form of microelements.
- Pathologies that occur when the endocrine glands do not work: diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and others.
- Hormonal disorders during the period of body restructuring in elderly women.
Signs of illness
Osteoarthritis of the ankle joint has a hidden beginning.The symptoms are not clearly manifested, therefore, the patient may not pay attention to the unpleasant sensations in the pelvic area during active movements.The first stage is discovered by chance;a person does not seek medical help during this period.
In the initial stage, pain in the ankle area appears during fast running, long walks and jumps.After rest, the pain goes away and does not bother the patient at 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, when you move your leg, a clicking sound appears and the pain becomes more intense during exercise.In the morning, after waking up, there is a slight stiffness in the joint, which goes away after the patient walks a little.
As the process worsens, the joint begins to deform.The patient develops a barely noticeable limp in the affected leg, so the body tries to physiologically adapt to the regular pain during movement.Gradually, limited range of motion of the ankle joint appears.
When a significant narrowing of the joint space occurs, the pain syndrome becomes regular.A change in the shape of the joint is visible visually;because of this, shortening of the diseased lower limb is possible.
The third advanced stage of ankle sprain is characterized by severe crepitus and joint contracture.Ankle pain bothers you not only during the day, but also at night, during sleep.A person cannot walk without rehabilitation equipment (sticks, crutches, walkers), performance is impaired, and this stage most often leads to disability.
At any stage of arthrosis, an inflammatory process may appear that develops on the inner surface of the joint capsule.
The symptoms are:
- throbbing pain in the area of the injured joint;
- swelling of the soft tissues in the area of the joint of the inflamed bones;
- skin rash;
- local increase in temperature.
How to treat ankle arthrosis
An orthopedist makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment.Treatment procedures, with the exception of joint injections and some physiotherapy procedures, are performed on an outpatient basis.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 deformity;The main role of treatment is to stop the disease process and maintain the state of the composition at the same level, preventing deterioration.Strict adherence to the doctor's recommendations will ensure the desired effect.
Treatment with medications
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the form of tablets or ointments for external use.NSAIDs simultaneously have an anti-inflammatory effect and an analgesic effect.The dose and regimen is prescribed by a medical specialist, taking into account individual indications.It is not recommended to take drugs from this pharmacological group by yourself;NSAIDs have many side effects, especially in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Chondroprotectors replenish the joint with all the missing chemical elements, which stop the destruction process and restore joint cells.To achieve a stable therapeutic effect, it is necessary to take chondroprotectors for a long time.
- Glucocorticoids are used for advanced inflammation.Hormonal drugs act on acute pain, allergic reactions and inflammation.They can be injected intramuscularly or directly into the diseased joint to perform a blockade.
Engine mode
Ankle arthrosis forces you to change your entire lifestyle.Physical activity should be measured.Overloading the joint with long walks, intense physical exercise or weight bearing is prohibited.Active movements should alternate with rest;Prolonged static loading is prohibited.
To prevent deterioration of the ankle joint, it is helpful to wear correct orthopedic or anatomical shoes.To achieve the effect of shock absorption, orthopedic insoles are used daily.
Preventive orthopedic bandages protect the joint from excessive load and provide local compression and micromassage effects.If injuries have occurred before or 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 soup;
- smoked products and sausage;
- canned foods and semi-finished products;
- sugar and sweets;
- sweet carbonated drinks and coffee;
- alcoholic beverages;
- mayonnaise and high-fat sour cream.
You should eat in small portions to monitor your weight and prevent extra pounds.These measures will ensure the prevention of additional stress on the joints and the supply of substances necessary to nourish the joint cells in sufficient quantities.
Therapeutic exercises
Physical exercises for therapeutic purposes should be present during the destructuring of the joints.The exercise therapy complex is compiled by a medical specialist - physiotherapy instructor.With proper technique and therapeutically dosed load on the affected ankle area, blood circulation improves, muscle tone increases and range of motion increases.
In order for the classes to bring only benefits, you need to remember when you cannot engage in physical therapy:
- acute period accompanied by inflammation;
- the appearance of pain while performing exercises in the ankle;
- the movements, the number of repetitions and the range of movements must be strictly agreed with the doctor.
To achieve good results, you must be patient.Regular exercise will easily get your ankle joints 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, then there is a break for two months.During the entire period of non-use of the magnet, the cumulative effect of the completed course will remain.
- Infrared radiation is prescribed to the injured leg, which will provide a lasting anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
Folk remedies
The use of alternative medicine recipes from available natural ingredients can be used for patients with arthrosis.
- It is useful to apply crushed garlic with vegetable oil to the injured joint for 8 hours, spreading it in a thin layer.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 relieve swelling and reduce joint pain.
- The dry raw materials of hops and St. John's wort are mixed one dessert spoon at a time, and fifty milliliters of petroleum jelly are added to the resulting mass.The resulting ointment is applied in the morning and evening to the injured area.
Surgical intervention for ankle arthrosis
The last stages of the disease, in which the joint is completely blocked, cannot be treated with conservative means.This fact is due to the fact that the deformation developed is irreversible.In this case, ankle arthrosis can only be treated with surgery.
The therapy is based on replacing a worn joint with an artificial prosthesis, which will allow a person to maintain independent movement and vital activity.The replacement joint will last more than ten years, depending on the quality of the material from which it is made.
Preventive measures
Preventing a disease is always easier than treating it later.An active lifestyle without bad habits is the key to healthy joints.Staying at an optimal weight at any age is useful not only for a beautiful appearance, but also to relieve the body of unwanted stress on all organs and systems.
Great attention should be paid to shoes:
- the models must be of the correct anatomical shape;
- made from natural materials;
- the use of orthopedic insoles will ensure the proper distribution of the load on the lower limb;
- size and fullness should match the foot;
- shoes should be appropriate for the season to prevent hypothermia, which negatively affects joints.
At the first sign of discomfort in the ankle joint or pain during movement, 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.