Arthritis of the ankle joint. Symptoms and Treatment, Remedies, Exercises

Ankle joints are often injured due to the heavy loads they bear. A doctor can diagnose the ankle based on symptoms and prescribe treatment. The disease is not age or gender related; tissue thins and breaks down, which can lead to disability.

Twelve percent of residents suffer from joint disease, and the condition is more common in women of retirement age.

As mentioned earlier, the ankle can handle a huge amount of load. It keeps the body upright and allows the person to move. Its violation changes the usual way of life.Ankle arthritis (symptoms and treatment may vary) is a chronic disease in which irreversible processes occur in the cartilage.The disease occurs gradually. Healthy people have smooth joint surfaces. When overloaded, it promotes easy sliding during physical activity.As joints develop, tissue nutrition and metabolism deteriorate. The outer surface of the joint changes, becomes rough, cartilage contacts, and inflammation occurs. When a person lifts heavy objects, the load falls on the bones, causing degenerative disease.If treatment is not started, serious lesions can develop. In the later stages, cartilage and tissue are affected, the synovium is irritated, and the joint loses stability. In this case, the support function is compromised and movement becomes difficult.

type

There are several types of arthropathy according to different criteria:

• Cause of occurrence (primary, secondary);
• stages of arthrosis;
• Pathological localization;
• forms of localization (generalized and local);
• Course of disease (acute and chronic).

Classification criteria	Types of Arthropathy
place of performance	Knee, wrist, ankle, elbow, shoulder and neck joints.
cause	Elementary - self-development, no prerequisites; Secondary – Damage to a joint due to infectious disease, mechanical trauma, injury, hypothermia, and other factors.
localization	Localized damage - Symptoms cover a small portion of a joint or its individual tissues; Systemic - Multiple joints are affected, or one joint completely covers all tissues.
Course of disease	Acute form - an increase in the intensity and severity of symptoms, severe pain, more dynamic morphological changes; Chronic form - a slow course of the disease, with individual symptoms manifesting during periods of exacerbation.

Ankle arthritis is divided into primary (degenerative process begins in healthy cartilage due to excessive physical activity) and secondary (diagnosed destruction, dystrophic changes in cartilage tissue).

Stages and degrees

Arthritis of the ankle joint (symptoms and treatment directly depend on the age of the patient) can occur in various ways. For some people, many years pass between the first symptoms and the critical stages, while for others the disease progresses rapidly.This depends on age at the start of treatment and concomitant diseases. As the ankle progresses, symptoms become more pronounced.The disease has 4 stages.

1. The first stage is often overlooked. Main symptoms: Stiffness in the morning and a characteristic crunching sound when walking. The images do not show pathogenic changes; the destructive process has already begun.
2. Morning stiffness can last longer. Leg development takes 20-30 minutes. Some patients develop lameness. On an X-ray, you can see stage 2 pathology through bone growth and bone displacement.
3. In the third stage, symptoms become more pronounced. The painful feeling occurs in a calm state, and the patient cannot do without painkillers. Lameness becomes noticeable, sometimes requiring crutches. Joints swell and change, and muscles become thinner and lose volume. Narrowing of the joint space and the formation of osteophytes can be seen on radiographs.
4. The final stage occurs without treatment. The cartilage is destroyed and the joint surfaces grow together. The patient cannot walk.

There are several degrees of joint disease:

1. first level– X-rays did not show any changes or joints. There is slight morning stiffness. At this stage it is necessary to start treatment.
2. in the second degreeActivities become difficult, a crunching sound is heard when walking, swelling is observed. X-rays show a narrowing of the joint space. The person will limp and morning stiffness will last longer.

3. in the third degreeObvious joint disease of the foot and joint deformation. Muscles atrophy more severely and movement becomes limited. Continuous rest is required. Even in this state the pain does not go away.
4. in last degreeThere is almost no joint space and movement is almost impossible. X-rays allow you to diagnose large osteophytes. Only surgical intervention is prescribed.

Ankle joints appear gradually, so treatment should be started at the first symptoms to prevent worsening and complications.

symptom

Ankle arthritis has several symptoms (which affect treatment):

• The pain is initially moderate and occurs only with physical activity. The pain may become more severe over time and bother you at rest;
• When injured and dislocated, swelling and inflammation appear, and the temperature of the injured area increases;
• "Dry" clicking sound accompanied by pain;
• Dislocation, in which the joint loses stability as the cartilage tissue thins and degrades. Bones shift and become detached from the joint capsule;
• joint stiffness;

• When walking, one quickly becomes tired;
• In the final stage, the joint deforms.

If at least one of these symptoms occurs, you should consult your doctor immediately.

Reason for occurrence

Ankle arthritis (symptoms and treatment often caused by age-related changes) affects the older generation. Recently, pathological phenomena have been observed in young people.Triggering factors include:

• Injuries, dislocations and bruises;
• age-related joint and ligament disorders;
• inflammatory process;
• overweight;

• disrupt metabolic processes;
• Congenital foot deformities and flat feet that appear during life;
• genetic predisposition;
• excessive physical activity;
• using uncomfortable shoes;
• Endocrine system diseases;
• Osteochondrosis.

Less synovial fluid is produced, resulting in less nutrients for the cartilage. The joint space narrows, possibly causing bone fusion. Cruciate joint disease occurs and cannot be reversed. Nonetheless, treatment should be initiated immediately to prevent disease progression.

diagnosis

Diagnosis of arthropathy involves studying existing symptoms and data obtained from studies. Since there are no tests that can definitively determine the pathology, doctors consider laboratory methods insufficiently effective.During remission, all indicators were normal; during relapse, blood tests showed elevated levels of ESR and C-reactive protein. This means pathology has begun.To confirm the diagnosis, use instrumental methods:

1. simpleradiographyis the most reliable method. Muscles do not perceive X-rays equally: soft muscles transmit X-rays, while hard muscles absorb them. The study sheds light on the disease itself and its consequences.This image allows you to analyze the condition of the bone surfaces in the joint, the shape, size, and position of structures relative to each other, the condition of the tissues, and the size of the joint space. From these data, the extent of pathology can be determined.If the ankle joint is affected, diagnosis is made by the lateral, posterior, and posterior projections of the foot moving inward. If corresponding symptoms (signs such as joint space narrowing, osteophytes, etc. ) occur, joint disease can be diagnosed.
2. NMRDetermining the disruption of hydrogen molecule functionality under the influence of strong magnetic fields. Allows you to explore hydrated areas of your body.The darker shades in the image represent bones because they contain much less water, while muscles, nerves, and discs appear lighter. Diagnosis can reveal even minor disorders of bone tissue and joints. This procedure is indicated before joint replacement. The only drawback is the higher cost of diagnosis.
3. Magnetic resonance imagingVery accurately examines the ligamentous structure, muscle tissue and cartilage of the joint. Through this study, experts can evaluate the condition of the lower leg joints, allowing the identification of pathology at the earliest stages of its development. The procedure is painless and lasts about 30 minutes. During surgery, radio waves and strong magnetic radiation can affect people. It must be remembered that magnetic fields are dangerous for physiological states. MRI is contraindicated if you have a neuropsychiatric disorder, are pregnant, or have metal objects in your body.
4. ultrasoundAccurate diagnosis can be made. The device generates waves that are reflected by the tissue and recorded on the screen. The doctor examines the image and makes a diagnosis. For a clear image, use gel to remove air and ensure easy movement on the surface.The advantages of this surgery are health, safety, affordability, and high accuracy.

5. bone scintigraphy– A study that allows the use of isotopes to determine pathological diseases of the bones. A special substance containing labeled atoms is injected into the patient. Pathological areas are divided into cold areas and hot areas.The first has no isotopes, blood flow to them is poor, and they cannot be detected during scanning. This includes sites where malignant tumors have occurred. In hotspot areas, isotope collection is more active and can be clearly detected during scanning. These areas indicate the occurrence of inflammatory processes.This study makes it possible to distinguish arthropathy from similar diseases with similar clinical symptoms; based on the results, doctors make a prognosis and formulate a treatment plan.The main contraindications to the study are pregnancy, breastfeeding, and taking barium-containing medications.
6. joint punctureIt is a procedure in which a doctor inserts a needle into a joint cavity to draw synovial fluid for analysis.Research on this biological material will continue in the future; based on the results, experts determine the characteristics of the disease and its stages of development. For the ankle joint, the puncture is performed anteriorly between the lateral malleolus and the extensor digitorum longus tendon.

When to see a doctor

If treatment for joint disease is not started promptly, it can lead to loss of work ability and sometimes even disability. Some patients are in no hurry to seek help because they don’t know which doctor to make an appointment with. At the first symptoms, you need to see a rheumatologist to diagnose dystrophic and inflammatory changes in the joints.You should contact him if:

• Discomfort and pain in joints after overloading at the end of a working day;
• It’s hard to find a comfortable position for your legs at night;
• The joints swell and the skin becomes red;
• Severe pain and difficulty moving;
• A crunching sound occurs;
• Joint deformation.

With modern diagnostic and treatment techniques, surgical intervention can be avoided and joint function preserved.

prevention

Arthritis of the ankle joint (ask your doctor for symptoms and treatment) is preventable.To prevent joint disease, experts recommend following the following rules:

• Wear shoes that fit comfortably without high heels;
• Maintain proper nutrition and drink enough clean water;
• Choose the right vitamin and mineral complex;
• exercise;

• Take frequent walks in the fresh air;
• Avoid putting excessive pressure on your legs;
• Avoid hypothermia;
• Undertake regular observation by a doctor;
• Get rid of bad habits;
• Do a set of exercises to warm up your ankle joints.

Adjusting your diet is especially important. Nutritionists have agreed on a menu that will prevent the progression of the disease and fill the body with necessary substances.

1. You need to eat small amounts often.
2. Drink at least 2 liters of clean water.
3. Avoid sweet and salty foods.
4. Don't eat 4 hours before going to bed.
5. Steam, bake, and boil food.

Patients with joint disease are strictly prohibited from fasting and eating a strict diet to prevent the loss of calcium needed for bone and cartilage recovery.

treatment method

Once diagnosed, treatment must begin immediately. It is impossible to completely eliminate arthropathy; the main thing is to slow down the destructive process and increase the period of remission. Various techniques are used for this purpose.

drug

A variety of drugs are used to treat joint disease:

1. Anti-inflammatory (medicine)Painkillers remove the source of inflammation and relieve pain. Use tablets and ointments. The sooner you take anti-inflammatory medications, the better your chances of saving your joints.
2. GlucocorticoidsUse if the above medications do not have the desired effect. They are produced as injectable solutions and injected into the joints.
3. chondroprotectantNecessary to slow down the process of cartilage destruction.

Treatment options and drug dosages are determined by your doctor based on the severity of symptoms, concomitant medical conditions, and other factors. Self-medication is strictly prohibited to avoid aggravating the condition.

traditional method

Regarding traditional methods of treating joint diseases, doctors recognize their beneficial properties and positive effects. Traditional medicine is also used to prevent disease.The main folk remedies for treating ankle arthritis are as follows:

1. Wash the burdock leaves thoroughly and apply them to the skin with the soft side. Secure the plant with a bandage or plastic wrap and leave overnight.
2. Heat sea salt (buckwheat, sand) in a frying pan, pour it into a linen cloth and apply it to the sore area. Keep until the salt is cold. This is an effective way to relieve pain.
3. Pour triple cologne over lilac and leave it in a dark place for two weeks, rubbing the sore area twice a day.
4. Grind the eggshells into powder and take 0. 5 teaspoons. before eating.

The use of traditional treatment methods must be approved by the attending physician. This is not the only measure, but an addition to the primary therapy.

Other methods

When conservative treatments fail to bring positive results, they resort to radical measures—surgery.Generally speaking, indications for surgery are:

• Repetitive and primary joints 3-4 degrees;
• complication;
• Severe and persistent pain radiating to the knee;
• Marked limp;
• Paralysis of leg muscles;
• The flexion and extension performance of the joints and the support ability of the foot deteriorate.

For foot joints, the following surgical interventions are available:

1. Arthrodesis– Surgery to stabilize the joint. Its job is to restore the lost ability to support the limb. The main disadvantage is that the bones may fuse together, resulting in immobility, so they are rarely used.
2. ArthroscopyIt is a minimally invasive procedure in which the doctor cuts into the joint and inserts an arthroscope. The surgeon performs a visual inspection and evaluates the condition of the structures within the joint and, if necessary, removes part of the damaged joint or blood clots in the synovial fluid. The risk of recurrence with this surgery is too high.
3. endoprosthesisIn particularly serious cases. Allows partial or complete replacement of damaged joints. Prostheses with modern mechanics have a service life of up to 20 years.

The main contraindications to surgery are age under 12 years, joint fistulas, diabetes, cardiac insufficiency and infectious diseases.

possible complications

If treatment is delayed or left untreated, the following complications may occur:

• Disability;
• irreversible deformation;

• Inactivity and immobility of joints;
• Quality and standard of life decline.

In addition to these complications, the chronic course of this disease is accompanied by pain, discomfort, and the inability to lead an active lifestyle.In order to make gymnastics, medicines and folk treatments more effective, it is recommended to use special orthopedic devices to reduce the load on the joints. This includes orthotics and immobilizing bandages.The orthosis conforms perfectly to the contours of the ankle, increasing range of motion and relieving swelling and pain. A retaining bandage serves the same purpose as an orthosis. It is made of soft elastic fabric that holds the joints well. Bandages should only be used after the remission and exacerbation periods have passed.Ankle arthritis is a serious condition that, if left completely untreated, can lead to serious consequences and complete loss of movement of the joint. Diagnosis at the initial stage, careful attention to symptoms, and effective treatment can avoid surgical intervention.