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People who suffer from osteoarthritis
of the ankle may suffer, in varying degrees, from pain and stiffness
in the joint, swelling in or near the joint and/or difficulty in
lifting or bending the joint. It is also possible that a bone spur
may develop at the joint. Pressure from a person’s footwear may
cause considerable pain at the point of the bone spur. The spur may
also limit the amount of movement of the joint.
Osteoarthritis of the ankle is usually
caused by a fracture or a sprain. However, sometimes it can develop
as a result of improper foot mechanics. Those with flat feet or high
arches are especially prone to developing osteoarthritis.
In diagnosing ankle osteoarthritis, an
ankle surgeon will thoroughly examine the foot. He/she will be
looking for joint swelling, limited mobility, and pain with movement.
In addition an x-ray will be taken. This will allow the surgeon to
determine the extent of the disease in the ankle.
Treatment of ankle arthritis may
involve the following:
Oral medication: Non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed to reduce the pain.
Shoe inserts can provide support
to improve the foot’s mechanics.
Bracing to support the joint can
reduce pain.
Steroid injections may be
delivered to the affected joint.
Physical therapy to strengthen the
muscles can provide greater stability
If non-surgical treatment fails to
reduce the pain, surgery may be considered in order to relieve pain
and improve the function of the ankle joint.
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