Signs You’re Developing Ankle Arthritis
When patients have chronic ankle pain, their first thought isn’t necessarily ankle arthritis. When we think of arthritis, we typically think of the hip or knee joints. However, ankle arthritis (while not as common as in other joints) can significantly impact your quality of life if left untreated.
Here’s how to know if you're developing ankle arthritis and what you can do about it.
How to Know if You Have Ankle Arthritis
Unfortunately, ankle arthritis is common in the active populations of Eagle and Summit County, Colorado. After a lifetime of active living, the cartilage in your ankle joint can deteriorate. This causes the bones in your ankle joint to rub against each other without any cushioning.
Degenerative arthritis is called osteoarthritis and can also damage the tissue and bones of the ankle joint. Symptoms of ankle osteoarthritis include:
Pain when moving, walking, or bearing weight
Tenderness
Swelling
Stiffness
Pain and swelling while at rest
Ankle instability
While ankle osteoarthritis is caused by the normal wear-and-tear of living, other forms of arthritis can affect the ankle. This includes:
Traumatic Arthritis: Certain ankle injuries, such as a sprain or a fracture, can damage the ankle cartilage and lead to arthritis further down the line.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: This type of arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease and causes chronic inflammation in the ankle joint.
It's essential to have ankle arthritis diagnosed by an ankle specialist as the different varieties of arthritis respond to different medications and treatments.
Treatment Options for Ankle Arthritis
If Dr. Elton and his team at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery suspect your ankle pain is caused by arthritis, they will work with you to find a diagnosis. Diagnosing your ankle arthritis could include the following:
Thorough questions about your medical history, including past ankle injuries and symptom history
A physical exam that checks your ankle for signs of swelling, stiffness, and other arthritic symptoms
Blood tests that check for inflammation
Imaging tests to measure the extent of your ankle joint damage
Once your ankle osteoarthritis is confirmed, Dr. Elton will recommend a treatment plan that gets you back to doing the activities you love. As often as possible, Dr. Elton will first attempt nonsurgical treatments, which include:
Bracing
Shoe inserts
Over-the-counter pain and inflammation medications
Arch supports or shoe pads
Custom shoes
Physical therapy
Steroid injections
If your ankle arthritis has progressed to the point where conservative treatments have no impact, Dr. Elton will discuss your surgical options. The three most common surgical treatments for ankle arthritis Dr. Elton recommends are:
Ankle Arthroscopy
Ankle Fusion
Total Ankle Replacement
No two ankles are the same. The type of ankle arthritis surgery that’s best for you will depend on the stage of your ankle arthritis and your lifestyle.
Finding a Doctor to Treat Your Ankle Arthritis
Dr. Elton is a foot and ankle specialist who practices in both Eagle and Summit County. With years of experience treating ankle arthritis, Dr. Elton and his team are the go-to experts for patients looking to reclaim their lives.
Contact Dr. Elton today by calling (970) 476-7220 or by requesting a consultation through our online platform. This is your first step towards a pain-free life!