There are a huge number of serious diseases associated with limited movement of the lower extremities. Such ailments are very unpleasant, as the patient is forced to constantly ask others for help, lead a very limited life, and sometimes cannot do without a wheelchair at all. One of these dangerous diseases is deformed arthrosis of the ankle joint. This article will present the causes of this pathology, as well as the symptoms and treatments.
What is this disease
Deformed arthrosis of the ankle joint is a dangerous chronic disease accompanied by degenerative and dystrophic changes in the shape and structure of cartilage tissue. The disease manifests itself gradually. At first, cartilage begins to lose itsfunctionality and degrade over time. In such conditions, the bones need to somehow exist, so they begin to twist, forming osteophytes around them. Thanks to this, a person does not completely lose his ability to move, although this process becomes very difficult.
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to identify and start treating such a disease in a timely manner. Sometimes it does not make itself felt even for a whole decade, while slowly and gradually progressing. The disease begins to simply "devour" the cartilage. Improper treatment can only aggravate the situation and ultimately lead to complete disability.
Deformed arthrosis of the ankle joint: main symptoms
In fact, such a disease can make itself felt with the help of a wide variety of signs. If you notice at least one of them, do not put off going to the doctor. Do not forget that deformed arthrosis of the ankle joint is a very dangerous pathology that can lead to a wheelchair. So, how can you understand that a person has begun to develop this disease:
- The presence of pain, which is greatly aggravated by physical activity.
- The patient often has a crunch in the joints. Usually, people rarely pay attention to such a symptom, but only it indicates the presence of the initial stages of arthrosis.
- Deforming arthrosis of the right ankle joint can also make itself felt with the help of overwork, whichobserved even after minor physical exertion. Severe fatigue can occur even when moving for short distances.
- The muscle tissue in the lower limbs begins to gradually atrophy.
- Deforming arthrosis of the left ankle joint is very often accompanied by dislocations of the lower extremities, as the functionality of the tendons and muscles begins to break down.
- The area around the joint begins to swell. Especially often this occurs after a long stay in a standing position.
- Damaged areas begin to become inflamed, which leads to an increase in temperature.
- Support and motor functions of the lower extremities are impaired.
As you can see, there are a lot of symptoms of deforming arthrosis of the ankle joint (according to ICD-10, the disease was assigned the code M19). It is highly recommended to take care of your he alth, and even if you have one of them, urgently seek the advice of a qualified doctor.
Main causes of pathology
Usually deforming arthrosis of the 1st degree of the ankle joint does not occur by itself. For its appearance, the necessary prerequisites are needed. Here are some reasons why such a dangerous and painful disease can occur:
- The presence of very strong physical exertion. Quite often, this pathology occurs in athletes professionally involved in sports. This should include both the performance of strength exercises and motor exercises.
- A person is overweight. Excessive weightbody puts a lot of stress on your joints. This is especially true of the lower extremities.
- Incorrect distribution of the load on the legs. This should also include wearing uncomfortable shoes, especially those with excessively high heels.
- Injuries can lead to deforming arthrosis of the ankle joint (symptoms and treatment of such a disease are described in this article).
- The disease very often begins to progress in the elderly. This is due to the fact that the cartilage tissue begins to gradually thin out. They become less and less elastic and eventually crack.
- Also, the disease can occur if a person works in difficult conditions, for example, is forced to stand for a very long time or constantly walk.
- Also, the disease can be hereditary and occur against the background of other inflammatory and chronic diseases.
First degree disease
There are three stages of this disease. Each of them is characterized by certain symptoms, as well as treatment features.
So, at the first stage, the patient has slight pain. If you carry out hardware diagnostics, you will notice that the talus has thickened, and the joint gaps have begun to narrow. Usually, the first stage of such a pathology is accompanied by severe discomfort in the joints during movement, as well as during exercise.
Second stage
Deforming arthrosis of the 2nd degree of the ankle joint is accompanied by already severe deformity of the joints. While the patient complains aboutincessant pain. This stage is accompanied by fatigue during any physical exercise.
Treatment of deforming arthrosis of the ankle joint of the 2nd degree can still be carried out using conservative methods. However, such techniques can not always bring excellent results.
Third stage
Deforming arthrosis of the ankle joint of the 3rd degree is the most dangerous and most painful type of this pathology. This degree is characterized by very pronounced symptoms. A person completely loses joint mobility, and at the same time there are very severe pains that are not always possible to relieve even with the help of the most effective painkillers. Usually in this case, the treatment of pathology is carried out with the help of surgical intervention.
Features of therapy
Treatment of deforming arthrosis of the ankle usually begins with the second stage, since the first proceeds with minimal symptoms, so it is a very difficult task to correctly identify the disease. There is just a huge number of methods for treating this pathology, but you definitely shouldn’t self-medicate, as you will only aggravate your situation. Be sure to contact an orthopedist, and he will already determine your further actions, based on the individual characteristics of your body.
What is the traditional approach
The first thing to do on the advice of doctors is to restore the cartilage to its former elasticity. Treatment of the deformingarthrosis of the ankle joint is most often treated with conservative methods. This should include:
- The use of special preparations in the form of injection solutions that can restore the cartilage to its former flexibility. This should include such drugs as "Mukatrin", "Rumalon", "Arteparon" and many others. Which medication is right for you, your doctor will tell you.
- Also during the treatment, drugs are used that can improve metabolic processes in the muscles and have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body.
- Physiotherapy procedures have a good therapeutic effect.
- It is very important to reduce physical stress on the joints. To do this, it is worth starting to fight excess weight, as well as adjust the performance of physical exercises. It is necessary to develop such a complex in which the load on damaged joints will be minimal.
- Also, according to doctors, special massages and mud wraps have a good healing effect.
Features of food
Deforming arthrosis of the ankle joint, a photo of which can sometimes be frightening, will be much easier to cure if you follow the right nutritional principles. It is very important to consume foods that contain gelatin, as it is responsible for the elasticity of the joints.
Such products include jelly and aspic. It is also very important to provide your body with all kinds of vitamins. If you can't eat well, be sure to take an extra vitamin and mineral supplement.a complex that will be suitable specifically for people suffering from joint diseases.
Features of folk treatment
Many people think that such an unpleasant disease as arthrosis can be eliminated using only folk methods. In fact, this is far from the case. Traditional medicine, of course, can speed up the healing process, but only if used simultaneously with other therapeutic methods. The following are the most effective folk recipes for external use:
- Buy herbs such as ginger, barberry, nettle, thyme and cinquefoil at the pharmacy. Take one tablespoon of each component and pour the resulting mixture with one hundred milliliters of sunflower oil. Now put it on the fire and wait until it boils. After that, immediately remove it from the heat and cool. Rub this remedy on the affected joints at night. Be sure to insulate them.
- Try making a compress of vodka, honey and aloe juice. Take one part of vodka and aloe juice and add two parts of fresh liquid honey to them. Mix these ingredients and make a compress out of them by applying gauze to the affected joints. Such compresses can be done daily.
- It is also recommended to take warm baths with pine needles or m alt.
Physiotherapy Methods
Today, the treatment of deforming arthrosis of the ankle joint of the 2nd degree with the help of physiotherapy procedures is very popular. This technique allows the patient to relieve painsensations and inflammatory processes, as well as to establish blood flow in damaged tissues and stop destructive processes. In addition, this method will have a positive effect on the muscles that are attached to the ankle joint.
However, this method should not be used by people suffering from cancer or chronic infections.
Therapeutic gymnastics
Also, the treatment process should be accompanied by special gymnastic exercises. If you neglect them, then it will be very difficult to achieve remission. Exercise should be done daily, giving it about thirty minutes a day. The load will gradually increase. What kind of exercises are right for you, the orthopedist will tell you at the consultation. After all, do not forget that each case is individual and requires a special approach.
Doctors recommend that their patients also sign up for the pool. Swimming is very good for joints.
Features of surgical treatment
Usually, surgery is prescribed for patients in cases where the disease has already passed to the third stage. It no longer makes sense to use any conservative methods, since they will not bring any result. If the operation is not carried out in time, the patient risks spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Consider the main types of surgery:
- Arthroplasty. This type of surgery involves saving some of the cartilage while theimmobilization of the joint by an artificial method.
- Arthroplasty. In this case, the damaged joint will be completely replaced with a high-quality prosthesis. Despite the fact that such an operation is quite difficult, the effect of its implementation is still stunning.
Preventive measures
You need to take care of the he alth of your joints at a young age. After all, over time, cartilage tissue wears out, which means your condition will gradually worsen. Therefore, each person must follow preventive recommendations in order to ensure the mobility of their joints for many years. Consider what orthopedic doctors recommend doing in order to ensure excellent he alth of the musculoskeletal system:
Carefully monitor your diet. Eat he althy foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Proper nutrition will also allow you to get rid of excess weight. Do not forget that extra pounds are one of the main causes of problems with the joints of the lower extremities
- Be sure to go to the hospital and start treating all inflammatory and chronic processes in the body on time.
- Perform only those exercises that are safe for the joints and will not lead to injury.
- Be sure to warm up before exercising.
- Keep an active and he althy lifestyle: move more, be outdoors more often, get rid of bad habits.
- Take regular vitamin supplements designed for musculoskeletal he alth.
A few words in conclusion
Deformed arthrosis of the ankle joint is a very dangerous disease that can lead to extremely deplorable consequences. Do not forget that your he alth is in your hands, so follow all preventive measures in order to keep your joints mobile and elastic for many years to come. If the doctor has diagnosed you with deformed arthrosis of the ankle joints, immediately start treatment, otherwise you may simply be late.
Only comprehensive measures can lead to a good therapeutic effect, so do not self-medicate. Follow all the prescriptions of the doctor, because your further condition will depend on this. Do not get carried away with alternative medicine. Recipes from a folk first-aid kit should go as an addition to complex drug treatment and only after consulting a specialist.
