Condition Articles-Ankle Arthritis PDF

Ankle Arthritis PDF

Pdf Summary

Ankle arthritis is a condition where the cartilage in the ankle joint is progressively lost, causing pain and decreased function. The ankle joint is made up of the tibia, talus, and fibula, and its main function is to allow dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. Ankle arthritis is usually caused by previous trauma, such as repeated sprains or fractures. Other less common causes include inflammatory arthritis and other conditions like talar necrosis or infection. Patients with ankle arthritis present with pain, swelling, and instability in the ankle joint. Diagnosis is usually made through weightbearing radiographs of the ankle, which can show joint space narrowing, spurs, subchondral cysts, and deformities. Treatment options include nonoperative methods such as activity modification and braces, as well as surgical options like ankle fusion or total ankle replacement. Ankle fusion, which has traditionally been the gold standard, fuses the ankle in an ideal position to relieve pain but can lead to arthritis in adjacent joints. Total ankle replacement is a promising alternative as it preserves motion and gait better than fusion. Distraction arthroplasty with an external fixator may also be an option, particularly in young patients. Treatment options for ankle arthritis are still evolving, and the nature of posttraumatic arthritis makes it a difficult joint to treat.

Keywords

ankle arthritis

cartilage loss

pain

decreased function

trauma

inflammatory arthritis

swelling

diagnosis

surgical options

motion preservation