The reason may be a trauma, overexertion, incorrect operation of metabolism, inflammation, and so on. D. Most often, the disease begins to manifest itself without any reason. The first symptom - a pain with any movement of the joints.
Causes of
The main causes of the disease may be:
- diabetes;
- thyroid disease;
- excess weight;
- constant microtrauma, which can occur in people who practice sport regularly or walking in high heels;
- rheumatic diseases;
- traumatic damage in this area (fracture, sprain);
- inflammatory processes that develop as a result of diseases such as gout, arthritis;
- inherited metabolic disorders that lead to thinning of the tissues.
In medical practice emit two kinds of arthritis: primary and secondary. Primary pathology develops as an independent, for no apparent reason. Secondary is the consequence of any adverse effects, such as traumatic injuries.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis of the ankle joint
Osteoarthritis ankle has four stages, each of which is accompanied by certain symptoms. Foot deformity is very slow, so the first stages of development, people do not feel the disease progresses. Symptoms do not appear immediately, since they accumulate every year. When a resource is exhausted, arthrosis of the ankle makes itself felt.
From the initial stage until the first signs may take several years. Classification of diseases is as follows:
| first degree | Even the X-ray examination, no changes in the joints still invisible. However, a small morning stiffness still present, though quickly pass. Treatment should be started now. |
| second degree | There is limited mobility of the limbs and joints can hear the crunch when driving, there is a small swelling. X-rays have shown a slight decrease interarticular gap. Block talus becomes flat. lameness may occur in person, morning stiffness lasts longer. |
| third degree | Kruzartroz in this case appears very bright and clearly visible deformity of the joints. When this muscle atrophy is strong, there is a significant limitation of movement. Almost always the ankle requires a standstill, although in this case there is pain. |
| fourth degree | There are already joint space is few, and the mobility is severely impaired. In the picture you can see a strong proliferation of osteophytes. Treatment in this case can only be surgical. |
As can be seen, ankle arthritis develops gradually, so the patient has a chance to start treatment on time, which will slow down its progression.
Diagnostics
To establish the stage of osteoarthritis and more information about the pathology using radiography in 2 projections, ultrasound, CT scan or MRI of the joint.
- In the X-ray photograph can be noted a slight narrowing of the joint space, arthrosis if the 1st stage.
- When switching to the 2nd stage joint space reduced by 40% or more of normal.
- On the 3rd stage is considerably narrowed, can practically absent visible proliferation and bone deformities.
Also to be distinguished arthrosis and exacerbation of various inflammatory processes in the joint, e.g., as a result of rheumatoid arthritic or psoriatic arthritis. Therefore, the doctor prescribes a full blood count, rheumatoid sample on DRR test, uric acid. Arthrosis, these indicators are normal, but if the disease is in an acute stage can be increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and white blood cells.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the ankle joint
When choosing a treatment regimen of osteoarthritis, which developed in the ankle joint, a specialist should use various modern techniques, which stops the degeneration process cartilaginous tissue.
First the physician must assign his patient medicines that can save him from severe pain. Thereafter, the patients begin to take medicines, relieving inflammation in the joints.
Drug treatment includes the following:
- medications;
- ointments, which have an analgesic effect;
- physical therapy procedures comprising a magnetotherapy etc.;
- physical exercises (all exercises should be performed under the supervision of an instructor, who see to it that during training the patient is not injured);
- weight normalization (if the patient is obese, it should urgently go on a diet that restricts the intake of fats, salts and other harmful substances).
Important role in the recovery of the patient plays meals. During treatment, and for the prevention, patients need to eat jelly and other foods, as part of which the presence of gelatin (eg, gelatin). It is important to monitor the consumption of vitamins that are present in various foods.
If the patient is unable for whatever reason to use such products, he can get a balanced vitamin and mineral complex, as shown in the treatment of arthrosis.
Surgery
If the disease is already 3 degree and the joint is destroyed, doctors usually have to resort to surgery.
Types of operations:
- Arthroplasty. The doctor can not completely keep the joint.
- Arthrodesis. This method involves the creation of bone fusion in the joint. Thus articular bone surface treated, damaged tissue is removed and combined with means of fixing devices. As a result, the pain disappears completely, and the joint becomes immobile. However, recovering the capacity for independent movement because of the possibility to rely on the foot.
- Endoprosthesis. Specialist completely replaces the joint prosthesis. Such operation is considered the most advanced and is held only by 3-4-stage disease. As a result, the joint surfaces are replaced with prosthetic metal, ceramic or plastic type.
As practice shows, the service life of such prostheses may be about 20 or even 25 years.
LFK
Task physiotherapy - restoring lost muscle tone and the expansion of motion in the ankle.
All exercises are performed by patients at first exclusively in the prone position:
- Lie on your back and extend your legs. Slowly turn over and then on my own feet. This exercise should be performed in a completely relaxed state and a low amplitude movements.
- In the supine position, rotate the foot turns - in one direction or the other.
- Sit down on a low chair. Foot push all the way to the floor. Follow the action like walking, lifting and gently dipping alternately socks and heels.
It is believed that the combination of these exercises are designed specialist physiotherapists You can do yourself at home, preferably several times a day.
Massage
First of all, we must remember that the massage during the exacerbation can not be done! In the subacute period muscles are massaged in the normal mode, and is used only for joint stroking and frolement. On remission massage can be more active.
- Begin a session with a massage leg muscles: first rear surface, then the side. Particular attention is paid to the Achilles tendon. Gradually descending to the joint, soften the impact and reduce the pace. Finish grinding the front surface of the foot.
- Each transition to a different area of the massage begins and ends with stroking and / or kneading. On the muscles can be used kneading. Excludes: vibration and shaking.
The duration of one session of 20-30 minutes. To massage should be every day (can be 2 times a day before exercise or physical therapy). Making it necessary courses for 10-15 sessions with a break of 1-3 weeks.
Folk remedies
Treatment of osteoarthritis ankle, designated by your doctor, you can complement the treatment of folk remedies. It is necessary to reduce inflammation and pain, which is caused by arthritis. This can be achieved by such means:
- Rub the joints with osteoarthritis of the ankle is also useful and cabbage juice. Pass the leaves through a meat grinder or a juicer and rub his vigorous movements.
- Vegetable oil has proved itself as a good analgesic arthrosis. You can use sunflower or olive oil. Suffice it slightly warmed oil (not in a microwave oven!) And rub into the affected area morning and evening.
- At night, you can also apply compresses. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect has curd. Wrap a small amount of cheese in a handkerchief and apply to the affected joint. Traditional healers also recommend adding in the cheese ordinary chalk.
There is one more effective recipe compresses for the treatment of osteoarthritis ankle. To use it, you will need 1 tbsp. l. dry grass mother and stepmother, and plantain St. John's wort, 1 tbsp. l. turpentine (available at pharmacies), and 100 g pork fat. Grass must be milled to a powder (e.g., in a coffee grinder). The crushed herb mix with turpentine and fat, and then in a warm oven for 2 hours (at minimum temperature). Then give the ointment still insist night in a warm place. Applied as needed by rubbing amazed places.
prevention
To warn yourself from osteoarthritis of the ankle, should comply with certain rules and guidelines:
- proper nutrition;
- Daily exercises for the ankle and the knee joint;
- Avoid hypothermia;
- reduce physical stress;
- to choose the right shoes;
- control weight;
- periodically visit the doctor.
As for the selection of the right shoe, it is important that, when you were in it, there was no pressure on the big toe, the support must serve all the fingers.
