Coping With Ankle Arthritis
September 30th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
If you have ankle arthritis, not only is the condition painful, but it can also make you unsteady on your feet.
There are a number of causes of ankle arthritis, and a case of this condition can often be attributed to a specific event or injury. This means that if you suffer an injury to your ankle in your earlier years of life, arthritis is a condition that you should be on the lookout for as you age. The good news is that there are a number of possible treatment options for this condition, and they can range from changing your footwear to a variety of surgical options. Your doctor will be the best source of information in diagnosing and treating your ankle arthritis.
There are a number of reasons why you might be diagnosed with ankle arthritis, and one of the most common is a previous injury to the area, such as a sprain or fracture. These types of injuries can lead to damaged cartilage in the ankle, and may result in accelerated arthritis in the joint as well. It is also possible to develop arthritis in your ankle if you are overweight and placing undue stress on the joints. Another possible cause of ankle arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis that can spread to any of the joints of the body, including the ankle joint.
Symptoms of ankle arthritis include pain, stiffness and swelling around the ankle joint. You may also notice that you develop bone spurs in the area, or that the joint itself becomes deformed. Another symptom of this type of arthritis is the feeling that the joint will give out, or you may feel that you are not completely stable on your feet. If you are noticing any of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about the possibility that you have ankle arthritis and begin weighing your treatment options.
Treatment for ankle arthritus
Treatment for ankle arthritis can range from gentle strengthening exercises like yoga, to medication and cortisone injections, and even surgery in some cases. One of the first treatments that you can try is a simple modification of your footwear. Many who suffer from ankle arthritis find relief from the pain by simply using cushioned insoles inside of their shoes.
If a simple process like this does not help to ease your discomfort, your doctor can advise you in the use of anti-inflammatory medications and may prescribe cortisone shots for particularly severe pain. In some cases, surgery will be the best treatment for ankle arthritis, and this can range from arthroscopy to fusion surgical procedures.
If you suspect that you might be suffering from ankle arthritis, talk to your doctor today about a diagnosis and your treatment options. You will be glad you did.
Treatment of Ankle Arthritis
June 11th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Treatment of Ankle Arthritis
Injuries like ankle fracture and severe sprain may result in ankle arthritis due to gradual loss of cartilage lining a few years after the injury. In some people who are suffering from ankle arthritis, their condition is related to other diseases like diabetes and hemophilia.
There are different tests for diagnosing ankle arthritis. Doctors usually base it on the patient’s report or by looking at the X-ray of the ankle. They sometimes require the patient to undergo MRI or a CT scan.
Nowadays, they can determine the exact location of the loss of cartilage by injecting air and dye inside the ankle. By doing this, specialists can see the cartilage problem in three dimensional pictures less than one millimeter in size.
Methods of treating ankle arthritis:
1. Medical Treatment
The main objective in treating ankle arthritis is to reduce the joint inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medicines like Ibuprofen, Celebrex, Naprosen and Vioxx are typically used. These medicines are prescribed by doctors depending on the patientÃs allergies, medical history and reaction to the treatment. The doctor may also recommend weight loss along with medication. Specialists have determined that losing weight can reduce stress on the ankle when standing or walking.
2. Orthotic Management
Braces and inserts can help in managing ankle arthritis. Proper selection of these instruments is based on insight location of the cartilage loss, walking and standing mechanics of the patient and other medical issues. An ankle brace can reduce stress on the foot that is affected with arthritis and, sometimes, removes the need for surgery.
3. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can reduce the symptoms of ankle arthritis by using different techniques that concentrates on the affected ankle. PatientÃs can perform flexibility exercises or can also undergo pool and aquatic therapy. This can also keep the patient fit without the risks of further injuries to the joint of the ankle. Therapists can also teach patients how to properly use canes to reduce stress on the ankle.
4. Injections
Injection of steroid to the ankle can improve the inflammation of the joint. However, this treatment is a bit delicate so patients for steroid injection are carefully tested.
5. Ankle Arthritis Surgery
Surgery for ankle arthritis depends on several factors like the following below:
* Cartilage loss location
* he patient’s weight, age and the level of activity
* The patient’s skin, tendons, nerves and bone around the ankle
*Medical history, allergies and reactions to previous treatments
Ankle arthritis can be controlled using different methods and if you are suffering from this ailment, it is best that you consult a specialist to know what treatment is best for you.
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