There are two main types of arthritis — osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis that cause damage to the joints in different ways.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. This involves wear and tear damage to the joint’s cartilage which is the hard, slick coating on the ends of bones. Without the cartilage, the bone grinds directly on bone which causes pain and restricted movement. This can occur over a number of years or the process may be hastened by infection or a joint injury.
Rheumatoid arthritis involves the body’s immune system attacking the lining of the joint capsule, which is a tough membrane that encloses the joint parts. The lining, als9 called synovial membrane then becomes inflamed and eventually lead to destruction of cartilage and bone.
Osteoarthritis of the ankle is the most common complaint of patients coming into the office. The patient complains of ankle swelling, pain and stiffness in the morning which slightly improves after walking. A number of patients have history of ankle sprain or even ankle fractures.
Did you know that even “mild” ankle fractures or sprains can lead to arthritis?
Ankle injuries can lead to OCD or osteochondral defects in the talus bone. Translated: Pothole in the talus, the bone that connects to the ankle joint. Will leave this for another blog to discuss treatment.
Ankle arthritis or synovitis is inflammation of the ankle cartilage, joint inflammation from a variety of causes.
Treatments include
- NSAIDS: Motrin, Aleve, etc
- Steroid injections
- Platelet Rich Plasma injections
- Amniotic injections
- Ankle arthroscopy (scope of the ankle to roto rooter out the ankle joint)
- Ankle arthrodiastasis (stretch out the ankle joint after an ankle scope to provide room for new cartilage growth and recovery)
- Denovo Juvenile cartilage grafts
- End stage ankle fusion or ankle implants
Family Foot & Leg surgeons and physicians are well-versed in the treatment of these conditions. We the latest and most efficient treatment protocols to get you back on your feet fast.
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