Ankle arthropathy is a degenerative degenerative disorder characterized by the gradual destruction of adjacent cartilage, joint, and bone structures, as well as ligaments and even muscles, leading to impaired mobility. mobility and even disability of the patient. The reason for the development of such a pathology can be a traumatic injury, in which post-traumatic ankle arthritis develops, a metabolic disorder in the body, or some inflammatory disease.
Do not self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor.
The diagnosis of pathology is established on the basis of the patient's complaints, as well as on the results of X-ray and ultrasound examination. Treatment of the disease is mainly conservative and only severe (missed) cases are indicated for surgical intervention.
The disease has a chronic undulating course in which periods of exacerbation alternate with periods of calm, but there is continued progression of the pathology, even in the absence of symptoms, thus, over time, the ankle is completely destroyed if treated. is not done. Usually, older people suffer from arthrosis, due to the natural metabolic processes in the body, but there are other reasons that lead to the development of joint disease.
Reason
In medical practice, there are two types of joint diseases: primary and secondary. Originally develops as an independent pathology, for no apparent reason. Secondary is the result of any adverse effect, e. g. traumatic injury.
The main causes of the onset of the disease can be as follows:
- Diabetes;
- thyroid disease;
- excess weight;
- Persistent micro-injury can occur in people who play sports or frequently wear high heels;
- rheumatic diseases;
- traumatic injury in this area (fracture, dislocation);
- inflammatory processes develop as a result of such diseases as gout, arthritis;
- Inherited metabolic disorders that lead to tissue thinning.
Sometimes the disease occurs in children, and its causes can be:
- tissue dysplasia;
- birth defects;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- hurt;
- arthritis.
Degree and symptoms
Of course, there are 3 levels of ankle arthritis that determine the symptoms of the disease. It is important to remember that the disease develops gradually, so that the disorders of the joints will be insignificant at first, then become more and more pronounced. At the same time, the changes that have already appeared are irreversible, and the treatment of the pathology at one stage or another will consist solely of stopping the progression of the disease.
In the first degree of the disease, the tissue becomes thinner, and this happens not on the entire surface, but in separate parts - specific islets are formed.
Diseases of the first degree are characterized by the following symptoms:
- excessive fatigue with prolonged stress on the legs;
- discomfort in the joint area after walking on tiptoes;
- mild pain that goes away at rest.
X-ray examination or ultrasound does not show any pathological changes in the joint, so at this stage, doctors cannot make a diagnosis.
In the early stages of the disease, the disease can be treated at home with folk remedies - first of all, by not wearing high heels, by losing weight (if necessary), by therapeutic exercise, and also by using anumber of folk methods. discussed below.
With the second degree of the pathological process in areas where the tissue has thinned, the load falls on the underlying bone. As a result, it grows, forming osteoblasts, damaging areas of healthy cartilage tissue that lie opposite or nearby. The symptoms of second degree joint disease are more obvious, which are:
- the pain is less intense, does not go away immediately after stopping;
- the appearance of nocturnal pains that interfere with the quality of sleep;
- limited morning joint movement (it takes a while to work);
- general response to the weather.
In the third degree, deformity of the ankle joint develops. During this stage, the tissues of the entire joint become thinner, like the skeletal structure, the muscles on the one hand are overstretched, and on the other hand, they contract, trying to keep the joint in place. Symptoms of the third degree of such a pathology as a deformity 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 hours, joints require long-term development even when performing minimal movements;
- crunchy feeling;
- the need for analgesics to relieve pain;
- limited or even complete impairment of mobility in the affected area.
Diseases such as post-traumatic ankle arthritis are characterized by a number of other symptoms:
- swelling and redness in the affected area;
- local temperature rise;
- crunch or crepitus.
Diagnosis and treatment
A decisive role in the diagnosis of the disease is assigned to X-ray examination. However, it is important for the physician to listen to the patient's complaints, which can allow him to make a diagnosis at an early stage, when radiological changes cannot be seen. In severe cases, the patient is referred to CT or MRI of the ankle.
Treatment of the ankle joint depends on the stage of the disease. In the early stages, just changing the way of life and the right exercise regime is enough. Massage therapy and exercise will be very helpful during this period, helping to improve blood circulation. If we talk about treatment with folk remedies that can be used at home, then it can relieve pain and reduce the inflammatory process. Folk remedies that anyone can use at home are:
- apply olive oil to the affected area in the morning;
- use burdock leaves in the form of a paste on painful joints for the whole night;
- prepare an ointment of lindenum and apply it to the affected area twice a day;
- take mumiyo inside as a tablet and rub it into the affected joint.
There are other alternative treatments, but it's important to remember that they are not a panacea and only need to be combined with drug treatment, diet, exercise therapy. and a suitable lifestyle will stop the progression of the disease.
If it comes to the treatment of ankle osteoarthritis with drugs, it includes the use of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs. In addition, patients are prescribed chondroprotectors to protect the joints for a long time (at least six months).
To improve the nutrition of the affected joint, the use of vascular drugs such as niacin is indicated. Hyaluronic acid therapy is considered effective, and in some cases, a single use of the hormone is required.
It is also necessary to treat the disease in combination with physical therapy methods. Below are specific exercises for ankle arthritis, each selected by a physiotherapist. It is important that the person exercising with ankylosing spondylitis does not cause pain to the patient, but at the same time the patient must feel discomfort, because otherwise the treatment will not be effective.
Among other methods of physiotherapy, it is indicated:
- acupuncture therapy;
- laser therapy;
- phonophoresis;
- thermal processes and some other types of exposure.
Surgery for this disease is indicated only in severe cases when the joint has been completely destroyed. Typically, patients are fitted with joint prostheses to help return their limbs to mobility, but other surgical techniques are also used - the doctor makes the choice, taking into account the condition of the patient. patient.