Ankle Arthritis and Treatments

The ankle joint is remarkably durable, but with age, injury, or inflammatory disease the smooth cartilage that caps the bones can wear away. As that protective surface thins, bone rubs on bone, producing the pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity of ankle arthritis.

What Causes Ankle Arthritis

Unlike the hip or knee, the ankle most often becomes arthritic after an injury. Common causes include:

• Post-traumatic arthritis — following an old ankle fracture, severe sprain, or instability
• Osteoarthritis — gradual wear-and-tear over the years
• Rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis

Regardless of the cause, the end result is the same: loss of cartilage, bone-on-bone friction, inflammation, and pain that worsens with activity.

Symptoms

• Pain and stiffness in the ankle, especially in the morning or after rest
• Swelling around the joint
• Difficulty walking on uneven ground or stairs
• A grinding sensation or reduced range of motion

Non-Surgical Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms, and most patients start conservatively: activity modification, balance and strengthening exercises, anti-inflammatory medication, and maintaining a healthy weight to reduce load on the joint. Custom bracing (such as an ankle-foot orthosis) and supportive shoes take pressure off the ankle, and regenerative options like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may help selected patients.

Surgical Options

When conservative care no longer controls the pain, there are two main surgical solutions:

• Ankle fusion (arthrodesis) — the arthritic joint surfaces are removed and the bones are united, eliminating the painful motion. It is durable and reliable, which is why it remains a workhorse for advanced arthritis.
• Total ankle replacement — the worn joint is replaced with an implant that preserves motion, a good option for appropriate candidates.

Our board-certified surgeons help each patient choose the option that best fits their activity level, bone quality, and goals.

For more information or to schedule an evaluation with a board-certified foot and ankle specialist, call (239) 430-3668 (FOOT) or book online at NaplesPodiatrist.com.

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Serving Southwest Florida since 2005, Family Foot & Leg Center has 9 convenient locations throughout Collier, Lee, Charlotte, and Sarasota Counties — Naples, Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Port Charlotte, and Sarasota. We provide pediatric to geriatric foot and ankle care: ingrown toenails, heel pain, bunions, foot & ankle arthritis, plantar fasciitis, foot & ankle surgery, custom orthotics, and diabetic wound care — with in-office X-rays, diagnostic ultrasound, and minor surgical suites. Home of the Lam Minimally Invasive No-Scar Bunion Surgery. Same-day appointments and easy online scheduling.