Ankle Osteoarthritis

What is Ankle Osteoarthritis?

Ankle Osteoarthritis (OA) is a clinical condition in which the joint that connects the foot to the leg, known as the tibiotalar or ankle joint, has damaged or worn out cartilage. There are three bones involved in this joint: the tibia, the fibula and the talus. The arthritis can involve any or all of these bones.

Common Causes:

• • Age
  • Obesity
  • A family history of the disease

Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Tear may include:

• • Pain with motion
  • Pain that flares up with vigorous activity
  • Tenderness when pressure is applied to the joint
  • Joint swelling, warmth, and redness
  • Increased pain and swelling in the morning, or after sitting or resting
  • Difficulty in walking due to any of the above symptoms

When you arrive for your initial consultation, Orthopedic Physicians Alaska (OPA) team of foot and ankle specialists will evaluate your areas of concern, discuss your symptoms, and develop a customized and comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. This evaluation is a necessary part of diagnosing your condition and providing the best possible care.

When diagnosing an Ankle Osteoarthritis, the OPA specialist will provide:

• • • A medical, injury, and symptom history review
    • A physical examination
    • Multiple view x-rays, CT scan, or MRI
• Once an official diagnosis is made, a customized treatment plan is prescribed. Treatment plans decrease symptoms as quickly as possible.

Common Treatments:

Nonsurgical treatment options treat most partial Achilles tendon tears. A combination of treatment options are included in an OPA specialist’s patient-customized treatment plan:

The OPA Foot specialist may recommend surgery if your pain causes disability and is not relieved with nonsurgical treatment. The type of surgery will depend on the type and location of arthritis and the impact of the disease on your joints. In some cases, the OPA foot specialist may recommend more than one type of surgery.

• Arthroscopic debridement. This surgery may be helpful in the early stages of arthritis. Debridement (cleansing) is a procedure to remove loose cartilage, inflamed synovial tissue, and bone spurs from around the joint.
• Arthrodesis (fusion). Arthrodesis fuses the bones of the joint completely, making one continuous bone out of two or more bones. The goal of the procedure is to reduce pain by eliminating motion in the arthritic joint.