Can arthritis develop in the ankle? Can artificial joints be inserted?

When we think of "arthritis," we often think of the knees, but it can develop anywhere with cartilage and joints. The ankle is no exception. Repetitive and excessive stress on the ankle can lead to inflammation and pain in the surrounding ligaments and joints. Compared to other joints, arthritis develops more frequently due to trauma, such as sprains and fractures, requiring special attention.

 

◇If you neglect a sprain, it can lead to ankle arthritis.

 

Ankle arthritis has a lower incidence than other areas, leading to low awareness of the disease. Diagnosis and treatment are often delayed. Many patients only realize the severity of their condition after it has worsened. Professor Jeong Bi-oh of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Kyung Hee University Hospital stated, "While aging is a major risk factor for arthritis, a degenerative disease, approximately 70% of ankle arthritis cases occur as a sequela to trauma, ankle sprains, and fractures. Therefore, proactive management and prevention are essential regardless of age."

Ankle sprains and fractures, the most common causes of ankle arthritis, occur frequently in everyday life. Both are caused by tripping, slipping, or twisting the ankle. Most patients don't seek medical attention unless they have difficulty walking. The problem is that even minor injuries, if left untreated, can develop into ankle deformities and arthritis without the patient even realizing it.

 

Professor Jeong said, “If the ligament is stretched and healed or the injury is not treated in a timely manner, it can lead to chronic ankle instability with frequent ankle sprains and cartilage damage, which can be a cause of the onset of ankle arthritis at an earlier stage.” He added, “If you feel swelling or tenderness, or if the pain gets worse when walking or exercising, you should visit a hospital and get an accurate diagnosis through imaging tests such as an ankle anterior drawer test, CT, or MRI.”

 

◇If ligament damage is severe, surgery may be necessary.

 

Treatment for ankle arthritis varies depending on the stage of the disease. If symptoms are mild, non-surgical treatments such as braces, medication, and rehabilitation are considered. However, if there is little cartilage remaining or ligament damage is severe, surgery may be necessary. Surgical treatments for ankle arthritis include ankle fusion, which stabilizes the ankle to prevent joint movement and reduce pain, and ankle total replacement, which replaces worn-out cartilage with an artificial joint.

 

Professor Jeong Bi-oh said, “Ankle joint replacement surgery had the problem of having a somewhat shorter lifespan compared to artificial joints in the knee and hip joints, but recent advancements in surgical techniques have greatly improved clinical outcomes and the lifespan of artificial joints.” He added, “Normal movement of the ankle joint is possible, and correction of bone loss or contracted ligaments can be expected. In particular, it is known to be effective in preventing degenerative joints in the surrounding joints.”

 

 

◇ Make it a habit to stretch regularly and be mindful of this when hiking.

To prevent ankle arthritis, it's important to strengthen the muscles around your ankles and improve flexibility. Furthermore, before exercising, thoroughly stretch to loosen up your muscles and ligaments, minimizing the risk of ankle sprains and fractures. The following are some exercises that are good for strengthening your ankles.

▲Put your feet against the wall and push up

▲Place two fists between your knees and rotate your feet outward using these as a starting point.

▲Close your eyes and stand still

▲Standing on one foot or on an inclined board.

 

Ankle injuries are common, especially during hiking, which involves extensive ankle activity. To protect your ankles while hiking, keep your backpack weight to around 10% of your body weight. Additionally, for long-distance hikes, wear heavy, sturdy hiking boots. When descending, lower your posture and shorten your stride to reduce the strain on your ankles. Finally, it's recommended to rest for 10 minutes after every hour of hiking.

 

==============

Common abnormalities of joints

I never thought about ankles,

Come to think of it, this applies to all joints.

Stretching habits are important.