The medical definition of arthritis is "joint inflammation." Signs of arthritis include inflammation (swelling) of the joints and the tissues around them. Inflammation is associated with discomfort, inflexibility, and bloating. Ankle arthritis is just one of the over a hundred disorders under the umbrella term "arthritis." Short-term or chronic inflammation of the joint and surrounding soft tissues is what we mean when we talk about "arthritis" in the ankle.

Ankle Arthritis

Having ankle arthritis is often overlooked. Arthritis in the ankle is relatively uncommon compared to other joints, yet it can severely limit your mobility and quality of life. If you have arthritis in your ankles, you know how painful and difficult it may be to perform even the simplest of tasks.

Ankle arthritis can lead to joint pain, swelling, instability, and deformity. When you have arthritis in your ankle, the joint between your shin bone (tibia) and foot bone (talus) becomes inflamed and painful (ankle bone). Arthritis can damage any of these bones.

Types of Ankle Arthritis

Several varieties of arthritis can cause ankle pain, and knowing which type is causing your pain is essential for getting the appropriate treatment. The most frequent forms of arthritis in the ankle are listed below.

Osteoarthritis

Joint cartilage increasingly deteriorates in people with osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative disorder. As we age, our joints experience the natural wear and tear that can lead to osteoarthritis. But many cases of ankle osteoarthritis result from an old ankle injury, and injuries can degrade cartilage immediately or affect the joint's ankle function.

Post-traumatic arthritis

An accident, even if it happened decades ago, can cause this type of arthritis in the foot. Cartilage damage can lead to early joint degradation, as seen, for instance, in the case of ankle sprains, fractures, and dislocations. Joint damage after an injury can take decades to develop, but symptoms might appear in as little as a few years.

Rheumatoid arthritis

An autoimmune attack on healthy tissues characterizes rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory disease. The ankle joints may be affected by RA. Difficulty with ramps, inclines, and stairs is a common symptom of RA in the ankle. Standing and walking may become uncomfortable as RA in the ankle worsens. There are more inflammatory forms of arthritis that can affect the ankle joint, such as psoriatic arthritis and peripheral spondyloarthritis.

Gout

The big toe is often the first area affected by gout, causing discomfort and swelling. As a kind of arthritis, gout occurs when uric acid accumulates in the circulation, which can irritate the joints. Other joints besides the big toe might be affected by gout attacks. Subcutaneous uric acid clumps called gout tophi may develop around the ankles after years of gout treatment.

Reactive arthritis

A genitourinary or intestinal infection causes persistent arthritis. In many cases of reactive arthritis, the afflicted joints manifest first in the ankles, knees, and feet.

 

Symptoms and Indicators

Ankle arthritis symptoms include-

Troubles with walking

Joint pain in the ankle

immobility or stiffness

The inability to move or walk normally due to swelling or warmth around the joint.

Identification of Arthritis in the Ankle

During the physical examination, your skin, the range of motion in your ankle, any painful areas, and the presence or absence of pulses and nerve sensations will be evaluated.

The doctor will x-ray your ankles and joints to assess the severity of your arthritis.

A CT scan or MRI might be recommended if surgery is a possible treatment option recommended by your doctor.

Treatment of Ankle Arthritis

The process of treating ankle arthritis is lengthy. Changing your diet and exercising more are the initial steps. Losing weight is helpful since extra pounds put unnecessary stress on the weak ankle joint. Modifying your routine may help alleviate symptoms if you've determined that a particular activity is a trigger. If these don't work, over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen are given. The next step is to use a brace, and then NSAIDs can reduce inflammation. When all other treatments have failed, surgical intervention may be suggested. Ankle replacement, or ankle arthrodesis, are all surgical possibilities. Your treatment plan will depend on your health history, physical examination, and X-rays, as well as your current level of disability and any other medical conditions you may have.

Related Articles: Is Walking good for Ankle Arthritis?

Non-Surgical Treatments

If you have never tried anything else, your doctor will likely start with non-surgical options before considering surgery. Among the available treatments are the following:

Strapping your ankle with a brace will help stabilize and support the ankle joint.

Injections of cortisone into the ankle help reduce inflammation and pain when symptoms flare up.

Alterations to your current routine You should consider doing less or different types of exercisse for ankle arthritis, particularly those with a high impact, such as sprinting, jumping, or court sports.

You may be prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and given ice packs as needed to relieve pain and swelling.

Surgical Treatments

When non-surgical options have been exhausted, surgery may be considered. Surgeons routinely carry out the following operations:

Treatment options for arthrodesis (ankle fusion) include hospitalization or observation, depending on the severity of the patient's disease. The tibia and talus, which make up the ankle joint, are fused to form a single, solid bone during ankle fusion. Joint fusion is an effective treatment for arthritic joint discomfort. Deleting a joint's cartilage allows it to fuse into a single bone, eliminating the pain produced by the bones rubbing against one another as they develop. Approximately 75% of ankle motion is lost after an ankle fusion, although motion is preserved in the joints just below the ankle and into the mid-foot. Ankle fusion success tales abound in this collection.

Total ankle joint replacement, or arthroplasty, is the gold standard in ankle replacement care nowadays (prostheses). Although the procedure is only safe for certain patients with ankle arthritis, it can effectively preserve function and provide excellent pain relief for the correct candidate. Uofmhealth is a rare healthcare provider that offers total ankle replacement, and their surgeons have years of experience with the procedure.

Related Articles: What is the Quality of Life after Ankle Fusion?

Bone spurs on the ankle joint are a common symptom of arthritis; debridement (bone spur removal) can help alleviate pain and restore mobility by removing the spurs through an open ankle incision or arthroscopy.

Distraction arthroplasty is a cutting-edge procedure for restoring damaged joints; it entails surgically implanting an external frame around the patient's leg; the frame is then used to spread the ankle joint's articular surfaces apart and stimulate cartilage regeneration. The pain in the ankle is reduced, and the ankle is kept mobile with this treatment.

Closing Remarks

An orthopedic surgeon specializing in the feet and ankles can assess the severity of your arthritis and provide effective treatment options. A rheumatologist (a medical expert in arthritis), physiatrist (a rehabilitation specialist), pedorthist (a shoe expert), physical therapist, orthopedist (a brace expert), occupational therapist, nurse, and clinical social worker may all be involved in your care alongside your orthopedic surgeon. You are not just a passive recipient of care; you play an integral role in it. Get therapy for arthritis right away to lessen the discomfort and protect your joints from further wear and tear. To manage your ankle arthritis, it is essential to take your medicine as directed, engage in regular activity, and keep a healthy body weight.