Why Does My Ankle Hurt?

 

Recurring ankle pain can make your life uncomfortable at best and downright unbearable at worst— especially if you are an active person. If you can’t do the things you love or operate without pain, everyday life can become a real drag.

If you are suffering pain in your ankle resulting from an injury, you’ll no doubt know the reason for the pain. Ankle sprains make up the vast majority of ankle injuries, and we can get to treating those immediately with the RICE protocol, or with surgical treatment if it is a particularly bad injury.

But what if your ankle is hurting for no apparent reason? The issue could well be arthritis or osteoarthritis.

Let's Talk About Ankle Arthritis

In this article, we'll talk all about ankle arthritis. What causes it, and what can we do to relieve the condition? Read on.

What Exactly is Arthritis?

Let's take a minute to define arthritis itself. You may have an idea that it involves some type of recurring or chronic pain.

This is true. The term “arthritis” refers to inflammation and swelling which causes stiffness and/or pain.

Arthritis actually means "joint inflammation."

Ankle Arthritis, Specifically

While arthritis can impact all of the joints (including the knee, hip, hands & wrists) the arthritic inflammation we are talking about today impacts the joints and tissue around the ankle. 

The level of stiffness and pain will vary with the severity of the arthritic condition.

What are the symptoms of ankle arthritis?

You probably won't be able to ignore ankle arthritis for too long— you'll know you have it. But some symptoms are more obvious than others. 

Here are some of the issues that may arise due to ankle arthritis and osteoarthritis.:

  • Joints that appear "deformed"

  • Feelings of instability in the joint

  • Ankle stiffness

  • Joint swelling

  • "Lumpy-looking" joints. (This can be caused by bone spurs)

What are the Causes of Ankle Arthritis?

Arthritis can develop a couple of different ways, via what we call "post-traumatic" arthritis, or "osteoarthritis."

Post-traumatic Ankle Arthritis

Posttraumatic arthritis happens after an injury. Dislocations and fractures (particularly those that damage the joint surface) can lead to this type of arthritis.

When the cartilage between the joints wears away, the result can be the symptoms we mentioned earlier.

Post-traumatic arthritis makes out about 12% of osteoarthritis cases. Symptom onset can be as long ago as 2-5 years after an injury to the joint was sustained.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the "wear-and-tear" variety. 

This is the most common type of arthritis. Why? Because as humans, we use what we are given, and sometimes even the most basic of activities repeated over a number of years can cause wear and tear. 

This is especially true with the foot and ankle, which are vital to many of our daily activities, and VERY vital to any type of active endeavor like competitive sports like basketball, football, etc., and to active sports such as skiing, hiking, and mountain biking.

The breakdown of cartilage that causes this type of arthritis can slowly build over years of use. It can go from a slight nuisance to a full-blown problem.

What Can We Do About Arthritis Of The Ankle?

There are quite a few non-surgical ways to combat osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle. Here's a list of some of our options.

  • Steroid Medications - Injected into the joints to help ease the pain.

  • Anti-Inflammatory drugs - used to reduce swelling in the joints

  • Pain relievers - self-explanatory

  • Arch Supports, orthotics, or custom made shoes

  • Support apparatus such as canes or braces

  • Physical therapy

SURGERY FOR ANKLE ARTHRITIS

Luckily, most people who suffer from ankle arthritis won't have to have surgery. But there are some cases when it's necessary. Here are some of the different methods of surgery your foot and ankle specialist may perform.

Ankle Debridement

In this case, we use either arthroscopic or open surgery to address your ankle arthritis. Here's what happens in ankle debridement:

  • remove inflamed tissue

  • smooth out rough cartilage

  • trim away bone spurs

  • remove irritants to the bone such as rough tissue or cartilage

Ankle Arthrodiastasis

Our goal here is to stretch out the ankle joint to create space between the tibia and the talus. Using metal pins and/or wires, we affix a device to the tibia and talus, which the patient wears for several months. The patient can walk during this time, and during this time the cartilage will get the chance to heal.

Ankle Arthrodesis

This is also known as an "ankle fusion." We fuse together the bones of the ankle joint in an attempt to eliminate the friction which is causing pain. This should bring stability back to the ankle. 

This is a common type of surgery to treat ankle arthritis, despite the fact that it may decrease ankle flexibility dramatically.

Questions about ankle arthritis? Ask a foot & ankle specialist.

Have specific questions about your ankle arthritis ? Make sure to visit a foot and ankle specialist in your area to get some guidance.

Good luck!

 
Arthritis, SurgeryDr. JP Eltonankle arthritis