Ankle Arthritis: Doctors, Symptoms and Treatments
What is Ankle Arthritis?
Ankle arthritis is a degenerative condition (also known as osteoarthritis) that can cause pain, stiffness, and disability of the ankles. Over time, the protective cartilage in the ankle begins to wear away, eventually causing the bones in the ankle to rub against each other. Ankle arthritis can be just as disabling as hip arthritis, but it is not as well-known as other types of arthritis.
Unlike hip and knee arthritis, which tends to be an “old person’s” disease, ankle arthritis tends to affect a younger population because it often develops after an ankle injury like a fracture. Conditions like flat-footedness and even repetitive ankle sprains can also lead to degeneration of the ankle joints over time.
Meet Our Ankle Arthritis Specialists
At Seaview Orthopaedics, our foot and ankle specialists, Dr. Aron Green, Dr. Eric Beights, Dr. George Fahoury, and Dr. Ian Hersh offer a number of treatment and surgery options for ankle arthritis.
Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon
Podiatrists
Schedule An Appointment with Our Ankle Arthritis Specialists
Symptoms of Ankle Arthritis
Symptoms of ankle arthritis are often gradual, developing over time. Pain is one of the most common symptoms. Patients with arthritis may feel pain with motion, or after an extended period of rest or physical activity.
Other symptoms include tenderness, swelling, and stiffness of the ankle joint. These symptoms can make it difficult to walk, and may eventually lead to significant disability. Proper treatment can help manage these symptoms.
Risk Factors
The risk factors associated with ankle arthritis include age, obesity, and family history of the disease.
Ankle Arthritis Orthopedic Examination
During your exam, your doctor will ask you questions about your medical history and any medications you may be taking. Your doctor will also examine your ankle for tenderness and swelling, and ask you questions about the pain you are experiencing, such as:
- Where exactly is the pain?
- When did the pain start?
- Is the pain continuous or does it come and go?
- Does the pain feel worse in the morning or at night?
- Does the pain get worse with activity, such as when walking or running?
You will also be asked to describe your injury, including when it occurred, and if you had received any prior treatment.
As part of your physical examination, your foot and ankle doctor will observe your gait (the way you walk). This is an important assessment, as pain and joint stiffness from arthritis change the way you walk. A gait analysis helps your foot and ankle doctor assess how the bones in your leg and foot line up when you walk, measure your stride and test the strength of your ankles and feet.
Your foot and ankle doctor will examine your shoes to determine if there is any abnormal or uneven wear to ensure that they are providing sufficient support for your foot and ankle.
The primary purpose of shoes is to protect your feet and prevent injury. Poorly fitted shoes can cause discomfort, injury and permanent deformity. Understanding the components of a shoe and the proper fit can help you make sensible shoe purchases. The most important quality to look for in shoes is durable construction and a good fit.
Imaging Tests
Imaging tests help your foot and ankle doctor determine the severity of your arthritis.
X-rays provide detailed images of your bones, as well as any narrowing of the joint space between bones (an indication of cartilage loss), fractures, and the formation of bone spurs.
Other imaging tests, such as a bone scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) may be ordered to determine the condition of the bone and soft tissues.
Treatments for Ankle Arthritis
There is no cure for ankle arthritis, but the right treatments can alleviate your symptoms. At Seaview Orthopaedics, our foot and ankle specialists offer both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options to help you remain active and reduce or eliminate arthritis pain.
Nonsurgical treatment typically includes anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, corticosteroid injections, topical anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, and bracing.
If our foot and ankle specialists recommend physical therapy, we offer these services on-site for the convenience of our patients.
If nonsurgical treatment does not adequately address the pain caused by ankle arthritis, surgical treatment options may be considered.
Traditionally, surgical treatment for ankle arthritis has involved ankle arthrodesis, also known as ankle fusion. In this procedure, the damaged bone and cartilage in the ankle are removed, and the joint is held together with fixation devices like plates and screws so that the bones fuse together. However, this procedure eliminates the range of motion in the ankle, which can put stress on other joints to compensate for the lack of motion in the ankle.
The latest developments in ankle arthritis surgery, offered at Seaview by Dr. Green, allow the ankle to retain a range of motion while also relieving pain. Ankle replacements have been FDA-approved since 1994, and have become more popular in recent years as the implant technology has improved. Dr. Green has worked with Zimmer to design ankle replacement implants, which he uses in his practice. He also works with Zimmer to instruct other foot and ankle surgeons on ankle replacement surgery.
Ankle replacements are typically not recommended for patients under the age of 50, as the implants will need to be replaced in 10-15 years. However, an ankle replacement allows patients to retain ankle motion, which decreases stress on the adjacent joints. Our foot and ankle surgeons will help you determine whether ankle replacement surgery is the right option for your lifestyle and level of activity.
Ankle Replacement Surgery Recovery
Patients who undergo ankle replacement surgery can expect to return to daily activities in 3 to 4 months and can expect a full recovery within 4 to 9 months.
After surgery, you can expect to have a cast applied to limit movement in your foot and ankle. You will also be advised to elevate your foot above the level of your heart for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. Pain medication will be prescribed for a short time while you are home.
Additionally, your foot and ankle specialist may recommend physical therapy to help you regain strength in your foot and ankle and to restore range of motion.
Ankle Arthritis Treatment in Central New Jersey and the Jersey Shore
Our board-certified foot and ankle specialists at Seaview Orthopaedics offers a full range of nonsurgical and surgical treatments for ankle arthritis. Dr. Aron Green, Dr. Eric Beights, Dr. George Fahoury, and Dr. Ian Hersh are happy to help with all of your treatment needs. If you would like to Book Appointment with Dr. Green, Dr. Beights, Dr. Fahoury, or Dr. Hersh at one of our office locations, please call (732) 660-6200. We look forward to helping you!
Schedule An Appointment with Our Ankle Arthritis Specialists