What is Ankle Joint Arthritis?
Ankle joint arthritis, also known as ankle osteoarthritis, is a condition characterized by the degeneration of the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones within the ankle joint. This degeneration leads to inflammation, pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion in the ankle joint. Ankle arthritis can significantly impact mobility and quality of life for affected individuals.
Symptoms
Symptoms often involve the following:
- Tenderness or pain.
- Reduced ability to move or walk.
- Stiffness in the joint.
- Swelling in the joint.
The symptoms of ankle arthritis vary based on the severity of the joint surface damage, and the functional level of the individual. Classically pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty walking are present. During the early phases of the condition, the pain may be limited to exercise, or only present at the extreme of ankle motion.
Causes
Here are some common causes and risk factors associated with ankle joint arthritis:
- Previous Ankle Injuries
- Repetitive Stress
- Genetic Factors
- Abnormal Joint Alignment
- Inflammatory Conditions
- Age
- Obesity
Ankle arthritis can be classified as:
- Primary Ankle Arthritis – indicates that there is no known underlying cause as to why the arthritis has developed.
- Secondary Ankle Arthritis – the most reason for someone developing ankle arthritis is having a previous injury, or injuries, to the ankle joint. This can either be a previous ankle bony fracture (‘break’), or previous ankle sprains. Secondary damage occurs to the joint surface and with time, irreversible arthritis occurs.
Are you suffering from any foot condition? At The Chelsea Clinic, we can help. One of our podiatrist can assist and then recommend what treatments are best to get you back on track. Podiatrist South Kensington
Schedule an appointment here or you may call us at +44 (0) 207 101 4000.
We hope you have a feetastic day!
-The Chelsea Clinic and Team
