Ankle Arthritis

We see a large amount of Ankle arthritis in the clinic typically due to over use and older ages. It is typically in the 60+ demographic and can we seen with flat feet and chronic pain in the morning and dissipates over time

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What is ankle arthritis?

As we get older, we have a high risk of developing osteoarthritis – a condition usually caused by joint wear and tear. This means that deterioration around your ankle joint occurs and the smooth “cushioning” cartilage in your joints is gradually lost. This can cause pain, swelling, deformity, and impaired mobility.

What causes ankle arthritis?

Ankle arthritis is typically caused by normal wear and tear as we age, known as osteoarthritis. It can also be caused by an old injury like a fractured or broken ankle. Sometimes the only reason for ankle arthritis is ageing. The changes in osteoarthritis usually occur slowly over the years and it can take a long time to first notice symptoms.

There are other systemic conditions that can cause arthritis of the ankle. These include:

Rheumatoid arthritis
Juvenile arthritis
Gout
Pseudogout
Lupus
Psoriatic arthritis
Infectious arthritis

What are the early signs and symptoms of ankle arthritis?

The pain you may feel when you have arthritis in your ankle includes:

Tenderness of the ankle when being touched
Reduced mobility due to difficulty weight-bearing
Stiffness to your ankle joint
Swelling around your ankle

Living with osteoarthritis and chronic pain

Chronic pain is a very common problem for people with osteoarthritis and can lead to an inability to work, enjoy life, and stay active. It can also cause the inability to sleep, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. It is therefore vital that we get the right care in place as soon as possible.

If you have osteoarthritis you can experience chronic pain. But in addition to inflammation and joint damage, there are psychological and emotional factors to consider, too.

Anxiety and depression can worsen your pain and affect your body. If you are prone to anxiety, you are more likely to develop chronic pain that is more intense. You will also have a harder time coping with the pain than someone not suffering from any anxiety.

The first step to living with chronic pain is getting the right treatment. This means working closely with your doctor and specialists to develop a pain management plan that is unique for you and helps with daily life and activities.

What is the best treatment for ankle arthritis?

Some of the many ways to manage ankle arthritis include:

Intermittent resting and pacing yourself
Ice or heat compressions
Steroid injections into the ankle joint
Anti-inflammatory medication to take the swelling and pain down
Wearing orthotics to help keep your foot in the correct position when walking
An ankle brace or support to keep your joint in the correct position when mobile
Physiotherapy to strengthen the joint
If you need to lose weight this will help all your joints, especially your ankle joint
Invest in a good pair of walking shoes to support your feet and ankles
Acupuncture
Using a walking aid to take pressure off your foot