Ankle osteoarthritis involves the breakdown of the cartilage that cushions the joints in the ankle. While hip and knee arthritis are more common, ankle arthritis is frequently post-traumatic, meaning it often develops years after a significant injury like a fracture or a severe sprain.
The symptoms of ankle osteoarthritis usually develop gradually and worsen over time.
Chronic pain in the ankle joint that feels deep and aching.
Stiffness in the morning or after sitting for long periods of time.
Swelling around the joint that may increase after walking or standing.
Decreased range of motion making it difficult to flex the foot up or down.
A grinding or clicking sensation known as crepitus during movement.
Instability or a feeling that the ankle might buckle under weight.
Development of hard bumps around the joint which are actually bone spurs.
Physical Examination
Weight-Bearing X-rays: Taken while standing to see the joint space narrowing between bones.
CT Scan: Used to visualize the density of the bone and the presence of small bone spurs.
MRI: Provides a detailed look at the remaining cartilage and any fluid buildup in the bone.
Joint Aspiration: Removing a small amount of fluid from the ankle to rule out gout or infection.
Activity modification to switch from high-impact sports to low-impact options like swimming.
Weight management to reduce the mechanical load placed on the ankle joint.
Physical therapy to strengthen the supporting muscles and maintain joint flexibility.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce chronic swelling and daily discomfort.
Corticosteroid or platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections
Custom orthotics or bracing to stabilize the joint and shift weight away from damaged areas.
Rocker-bottom shoes to help the foot roll forward without requiring full ankle flexion.
Surgery such as arthroscopic debridement to clean out bone spurs or loose fragments.
Advanced surgery like ankle fusion or total ankle replacement for end-stage cases.