Can you do anything about ankle arthritis?
Achiness after a long day of standing, pain taking your first step in the morning or stiffness after a workout are all common experiences if you have ankle arthritis.
Ankle arthritis occurs when the cartilage of the ankle joint wears down over time and becomes inflamed, which often causes joint pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.
This condition typically develops from previous injuries, like fractures, severe sprains, and general wear and tear, and from arthritis. While there are over 100 types of arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and post-traumatic arthritis are the most likely to affect your feet and ankles.
“It’s not uncommon for people to develop arthritis as they age,” says Dr. Brandon Scharer, a podiatrist and orthopedic surgeon at Aurora BayCare Medical Center. “We can develop these conditions after normal, lifelong wear and tear.”
Arthritis develops slowly over time, so it’s important to pay attention to any changes you may be experiencing. Early symptoms of foot or ankle arthritis include swelling, discomfort when walking and pain that worsens with activity.
“If you notice the discomfort happening during specific times of day, specifically first thing in the morning or after sitting down for a while, then you should speak to your doctor,” says Dr. Scharer. “Another warning sign is noticeable swelling and achiness towards the end of the day.”
Treatment options and prevention
Treatment for arthritis that affects your ankles can vary depending on severity and other health factors.
“We’ll first look to pursue more conservative treatment options before jumping straight to surgery,” says Dr. Scharer. “But our priority is always to reduce pain, increase mobility and improve quality of life.”
Non-surgical treatment options include over-the-counter pain relievers, corticosteroids, cortisone shots and custom orthotics to see if that relieves some of the pain and discomfort.
If your mobility is severely limited and your daily activities are deeply affected, then surgery may be recommended. Procedures can vary but range from joint-preserving surgeries, ankle fusions to total reconstruction surgeries.
While some types of arthritis happen naturally or because of uncontrollable health conditions, you can work to limit arthritis onset by avoiding tobacco products, maintaining a healthy diet, prioritizing low-impact exercise and wearing proper footwear.
Do you need help managing ankle pain? Find an orthopedic specialist near you: IL or WI.
