Osteoarthritis of the ankle: symptoms and treatment. Causes and prevention of arthrosis of the ankle

Osteoarthritis of the ankle is a serious enough disease, always requiring 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 the progression of the disease.

What is the disease?

The ankle joint connects the shin parts to the talus bone of the foot. Basically, it moves along the front axis, thus ensuring the flexion and extension of the foot. Lateral movements differ in minimum amplitude.

Arthrosis of the ankle, the symptoms and treatment of which is directly interrelated, is the process of consecutive destruction of the joint tissue. Pathology entails a violation of the usual structure of tissues, the death of a part of cartilage cells, the formation of cracks on its surface, and the compaction of bones. If you do not take the prescribed medicine for joint arthrosis, it deforms, and its normal work becomes really impossible.

The older the person, the higher the probability of developing degenerative-destructive changes. In this case, the locomotor system is no exception. According to available information, about 10% of the world's population over 40 years old suffers from arthrosis. In developed countries, the number of patients from 65 years of age and older varies from 60 and up to about 80%.

Classification

The first stage of the disease is characterized by a direct narrowing of the joint gap, the cartilage itself swells and softens. Arthrosis of the 2nd degree differs in that in the areas of the greatest pressure of the articular heads microcracks are formed, and in the places of the smallest - explicit protrusions. In the third and fourth stages, there is a rupture of cartilage with the subsequent formation of cysts, proliferation of so-called bone calluses (osteophytes). As a consequence, the joints themselves flatten, which prevents the foot from making the usual movements.

Main reasons

Very rarely the disease is primary, that is, it arises spontaneously. Most often it is secondary and is explained by the impact of a number of factors. The causes of arthrosis of the ankle joint can be as follows:

• Damage of the musculo-ligamentous apparatus of the foot and directly of the joint itself (flat feet, dysplasia of connective tissue of a hereditary nature).
• Posttraumatic arthrosis (dislocation, sprain, bruise).
• Inflammations of the immune nature.
• Infectious lesion.
• Various kinds of neurological disorders (osteochondrosis, neuritis).
• Pathology of metabolism (obesity, rickets, gout).

The causes of arthrosis of the ankle joint are often covered in the constant wearing of shoes with high heels. The unnatural positioning of the foot causes the load to increase several times on the ankle itself. The risk group also includes athletes, dancers and those whose weight significantly exceeds the normative indicators.

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 when moving. Over time, the pain becomes stronger and even at rest. Gradually, the limitation of foot mobility along different axes is aggravated. The joint itself increases in size, the foot is slightly curved. In advanced stages of the pathology, pain can also be felt in the knee and hip joints.

Conservative therapy

Most drugs that reduce pain syndrome belong to the group of so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Typically, doctors prescribe the following medications: Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Nimesulide, Aceclofenac, Diclofenac. The price of such drugs can vary from 20 to about 100 rubles. For example, the cost of "Diclofenac" is only 25 rubles.

These medicines allow you to get rid of the pain, but they also have some drawbacks. The thing is that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a very negative effect on the gastric mucosa. For example, with prolonged admission, patients often get worse gastritis and even have ulcers. That is why the reception of such funds is appointed in short courses in order to minimize the negative consequences.

Local treatment of the affected area implies a reduction in 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 proved ineffective.

To local treatment carry the use of gels, which have in their composition anesthetic components (Bystrum-gel, Butadion, Dip-Relief, ointment Diclofenac). The price for these funds is certainly high (from 200 to 700 rubles). However, this cost completely justifies itself. Ointments and gels give an excellent therapeutic effect, especially in combination with other medications.

Some patients are assigned chondroprotectors ("Teraflex", "Structum", "Alflutop"). They help the cartilage to recover and significantly improve the synthesis of tissues.

Operative treatment

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to overcome ankle arthrosis only through drug therapy. Sometimes medicines are ineffective. In this type of situation, the doctor decides on surgical intervention. Arthroscopy is the safest way to stop the degenerative process.

This procedure is carried out by means of a special tool, which is introduced into the affected area through micro cuts. This operation allows you to remove all bony proliferation.

Exercise therapy

LFK is prescribed for many types of arthrosis. Especially such exercises are effective in the posttraumatic version of the disease. Therapeutic gymnastics with arthrosis is aimed primarily at restoring the lost muscle tone, as well as expanding the volume of movements in the ankle itself.

Initially selected such exercises that require minimal load. They are performed in the supine position (for example, circular movements in the foot). Then the lessons become more complicated. Exercises are performed in the sitting position (rolls of the foot, without lifting the heels off the floor). Note that in each specific case the complex of exercises is selected individually by the doctor.

Prevention

First of all, experts strongly recommend avoiding injuries and mechanical damage to the joint. To do this, choose shoes with a steady heel, and when using sports, use special protective equipment.

It is very important to control body weight, after all, overweight is often the main reason that arthrosis of the ankle joint develops. Symptoms and treatment of this pathology should not be ignored. When the appearance of primary signs should seek professional help, do not try to solve the problem on your own.

Also, experts recommend a diet with a high protein content. It should be abandoned for a while from excessively salty and fatty foods, as well as alcohol.

Conclusion

In this article, we described in as much detail what arthrosis of the ankle is. Symptoms and treatment, causes and prevention are just some of the topics for which detailed answers are presented. Note that the effectiveness of therapy of the disease depends not only on its specific stage of development and the presence of concomitant health problems, but also on the competent follow-up of all the recommendations of the doctor.