Ankle arthrosis is a dystrophic degenerative pathological disorder characterized by the gradual destruction of cartilage, joints and adjacent bone structures, as well as ligaments and even muscles, leading to impaired movement and even disability of the patient. The reason for the development of such pathology may be traumatic injury, in which arthrosis after trauma of the ankle joint develops, metabolic disorders in the body, or some inflammatory disease.
Do not self -medicate. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor.
The pathological diagnosis is established taking into account the patient's complaints, as well as based on the results of X-ray and ultrasound examinations. It is necessary to treat the disease mainly conservatively and only in severe cases (neglected) surgical intervention is indicated.
The disease has a chronic undulating course, in which the period of exacerbation alternates with a quiet period, but still, the pathological development, even without symptoms, persists, therefore, over time, the ankle is completely destroyed if treatment is performed. not run. Often, the elderly suffer from arthrosis, due to natural metabolic processes in the body, but there are other reasons for the development of arthrosis.
cause
In medical practice, there are two types of arthrosis: primary and secondary. Primary develops as an independent pathology, for no apparent reason. Secondary is the result of any adverse effects, for example, traumatic injury.
The main causes of the onset of the disease can be as follows:
- diabetes;
- thyroid disease;
- overweight;
- persistent microtrauma that can occur in people who play sports or frequently walk with high heels;
- rheumatic pathology;
- traumatic injuries in this area (fractures, dislocations);
- inflammatory processes that develop as a result of diseases such as gout, arthritis;
- hereditary metabolic disorders leading to tissue thinning.
Sometimes the disease occurs in children, and the cause can be:
- tissue dysplasia;
- congenital anomalies;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- trauma;
- articular inflammatory disease.
Degrees and symptoms
Ankle arthrosis has three degrees of course, which determine the symptoms of the disease. It is important to remember that the disease develops gradually, therefore, disorders in the joints will become insignificant at first, and then become more pronounced. At the same time, the changes that have appeared are already irreversible, and pathological treatment at one stage or another will only consist of preventing the progression of the disease.
In the first stage of the disease, the tissue becomes thinner, and this does not occur on the entire surface, but in separate parts - certain small islands are formed.
The first stage disease is characterized by the following symptoms:
- excessive fatigue with prolonged pressure on the legs;
- discomfort in the joint area after walking with heels;
- minor pain that disappears during rest.
X-ray or ultrasound examination does not reveal any pathological changes in the joint, therefore, at this stage, the doctor is unable to make a diagnosis.
In the first stage of the disease, it can be treated at home with folk remedies - first of all, refuse to wear shoes with heels, lose weight (if necessary), do exercise therapy, and even use some folk methods, which will be discussed below.
With the second stage of the pathological process in the area where the tissue has thinned, the load falls on the underlying bone. Because of this, it grows, forming osteophytes, which injure areas of healthy cartilage tissue that are located opposite or adjacent. The symptoms of stage two arthrosis are more obvious, these are:
- pain with less pressure, which does not disappear immediately after it stops;
- occurrence of night pain that interferes with sleep quality;
- joint mobility limit in the morning (it takes some time to function);
- joint response to weather.
In the third stage, deformed arthrosis of the ankle joint develops. During this period, the tissues of the whole joint become thinner, like the bone structure, the muscles on the one hand are too tense, and on the other hand, they spasm, trying to keep the joint in the correct position. Symptoms of the third stage of pathology such as deformed arthrosis of the ankle joint are associated with a complete violation of mobility and severe pain:
- severe pain that does not stop even at rest;
- in the morning, the joints require long -term development even to make minimal movement;
- throbbing sensation;
- the need to take painkillers to relieve pain;
- restriction or even complete deterioration of mobility in the affected area.
Pathologies such as traumatic arthrosis of the ankle joint are characterized by several other symptoms:
- swelling and redness in the affected area;
- local temperature rise;
- crispy or crepitus.
Diagnostics and treatment
An important role in the diagnosis of disease is given to X-ray examination. However, it is important for the physician to listen to the patient’s complaints, which may allow him or her to make a diagnosis at an early stage, when radiographic changes are not visible. In severe cases, the patient is referred for an ankle CT or MRI.
Treatment of ankle arthrosis depends on the stage of the disease. In the early stages, it is enough to change the way of life and the right motor regime. Massage therapy and exercise will be useful at this stage, which will improve blood circulation. If we talk about treatment with folk remedies that can be used at home, then it can reduce pain and relieve the inflammatory process. These folk remedies that can be used by anyone at home are:
- rubbing olive oil into the affected area in the morning;
- the use of burdock leaves in the form of attachments on sore joints throughout the night;
- prepare comfrey ointment and rub it into the affected area twice a day;
- take mumiyo in tablet form and rub it into the affected joint.
There are other alternative treatment methods, but it is important to remember that it is not a cure for this disease and only their complex use together with drug therapy, diet, exercise therapy and proper lifestyle will stop the progression of destruction.
If we talk about the treatment of arthrosis of the ankle joint with medication, then it consists of the use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. In addition, patients are prescribed chondroprotectors that protect the joints for a long time (at least six months).
To improve the nutrition of affected joints, the use of vascular drugs such as niacin is indicated. Hyaluronic acid therapy is considered effective, and in some cases administration of the hormone once is required.
It is also necessary to treat the disease in combination with physiotherapy methods. Shown are special exercises for arthrosis of the ankle joint, which in each case are selected by a physiotherapist. It is very important that gymnastics with arthrosis of the ankle joint does not cause pain to the patient, but at the same time, the person should experience some discomfort, because otherwise the procedure will not be effective.
Among other physiotherapeutic methods, it is indicated:
- magnetotherapy;
- laser therapy;
- phonophoresis;
- thermal procedures and several other types of exposure.
Surgical operation for this disease is indicated only in severe cases when the joint is completely destroyed. Often, patients have joint prostheses, which return their limbs to mobility, but other surgical techniques are also used - doctors make choices, taking into account the patient’s condition.