Ankle Osteoarthritis is a natural degenerative process where the cartilage that spaces a joint starts to change and over time thins, meaning the bones get closer together, and can occur in any joint in the body. Osteoarthritis is a part of the normal ageing process and is most commonly seen in people over the age of 40.
Ankle Osteoarthritis can also be impacted by your occupation or your sporting hobbies. Past injury/trauma to your ankle or lower leg such as a fracture, dislocation, infection or cartilage tears can also impact osteoarthritis. Altered foot posture may also contribute to osteoarthritis of the ankle.
The most common symptoms of Ankle OA are:
- Limited function in daily tasks
- Pain
- Reduced movement of the ankle joint
- Pain is worse during or after activity
- Stiffness worse with inactivity
- Symptoms can flare or settle with changing seasons
- Changes to walking pattern (Gait) due to reduced movement
- Changes to gait over time can start to affect other joints
- The ankle has gradually changed in shape and size over time
Diagnosis is usually made from a consultation with your Health Care Professional, involving a detailed history of the onset of symptoms, current pattern of symptoms and your current functional ability.
An image/xray is generally not needed to confirm osteoarthritis. One may be performed if the Health Care Professional needs further information to finalise the diagnosis or if surgery is being considered.
The primary aim of treatment is to help manage your pain. This allows you to move more and help you return to normal activities sooner. Initial treatment therefore is aimed at pain control. This might involve pain medication, or the use of heat or cold treatments.
Once your pain is under control, working on the movement and strength of your ankle is what will help long term.
You can help to reduce pain, ease stiffness, strengthen your muscles and improve overall general fitness by keeping active. Below are some basic exercises specific to your ankle to get you started.
It is normal to experience some discomfort when doing exercises, and individuals may start at different points. Pain should not increase excessively during or immediately after the activity. Discomfort should return to pre-activity levels 24-48 hours after the activity has finished.
The number (reps) and frequency (sets) of exercises suggested here are a guide, and should be performed to your personal tolerable pain levels. This means repetitions will vary between individuals and you should only go as far as is reasonably comfortable for you.
Alphabet exercise
Sit down with your legs extended or hanging off the table. Draw the capital letters of the alphabet with your ankle, accentuating all of the ranges of motion.
Isometric Ankle Dorsiflexion
Sit on a chair or on the floor. Put one foot on top of the other foot. Try to lift the foot that is under while preventing any movement with the foot that is on top.
Isometric ankle plantarflexion
Sit on a chair or on the floor. Put one foot on top of the other foot. Try to point the toes of the foot that is on top while preventing any movement with the foot that is underneath.
Single-leg stand
Balance on one leg. Remember to stand tall, with weight evenly on your foot and toes pointing forwards.
Unless you have a serious injury or have sudden continuous severe pain, you can usually treat your ankle pain without having to see your doctor. If after 2 weeks of treating yourself you feel the pain isn’t any better or is worsening, you should see a Health Care Professional
You should also see a Health Care Professional if you:
- Have pain that doesn’t show any signs of improvement, within a couple of weeks of self help
- Have pain that has rapidly deteriorated or suddenly worsened despite self help
- Have pain, tingling, numbness or weakness in your legs and feet
- Develop sudden stiffness in the ankle resulting in a complete loss of movement (also known as locking)
- Are noticing changes to your balance or walking pattern
- Are feeling clumsy or are falling more often
- Have a history of inflammatory arthritis, immuno-suppression, cancer, Tuberculosis (TB), drug abuse, AIDS or other infection
- Feel unwell, have a fever, or unexplained weight loss
- Are experiencing significant and regular changes to your usual sleeping pattern
- Have a history of recent injury (e.g. from a road traffic accident or a fall) or a history of ankle surgery
- Have a new and visible deformed or misshapen ankle
- Notice your ankle is giving way, causing you to fall
If you do not have any of the above, you may be able to effectively self-manage your condition