Ankle Arthritis
What Is It?
Ankle arthritis is when the cartilage (cushion between joints) of the tibia (shin bone) and talus (ankle bone) wear down. This wearing can result in “bone on bone” contact which can lead to pain, swelling, and difficulty in movement.
The causes for ankle arthritis are most often post-traumatic (after injury), but can also be from systemic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis (wear and tear).
What Makes It Worse
- Walking or standing for long periods
- High-impact activities (running, jumping, sports on hard surfaces)
- Wearing unsupportive or worn-out shoes
- Extra body weight, which adds stress to the ankle joint
What Helps
Footwear & Support
- Supportive shoes with firm soles or cushioned inserts
- Rocker-bottom shoes to reduce motion in the ankle joint
- Ankle braces or lace-up supports to help with stability
Exercise & Activity
- Low-impact activities such as biking, swimming, or elliptical training
- Gentle ankle range of motion and stretching to maintain flexibility
Other Measures
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Topical medications
- Weight management can significantly reduce pressure on the ankle joint
- Steroid injections may provide relief
Summary
Ankle arthritis can develop for a multitude of reasons within the ankle joint. The pain and symptoms that can develop can become debilitating and adversely impact everyday life.
The key to treatment is to address acute flares, followed by lifestyle and/or shoe modifications for continued comfort.
Surgical treatment is available; surgical intervention can include arthrodesis (fusion), distraction arthroplasty (creating space between the joint), and arthroplasty (joint replacement).
Depending on severity of the arthritis, ankle arthroscopy (scope) with debridement can also be an option.
Fig1. Arthritis in the ankle joint
Fig2. Ankle arthrodesis (fusion) with screws; one of the many ways to perform this
procedure