Arthritis of the ankle
A common type of joint pain is arthritis caused by damaged cartilage. There are various different forms commonly found in the ankle joint – osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of ‘inflammatory’ arthritis. Most people with ankle arthritis complain of pain and swelling (often worse during or after weight-bearing activity), a loss of movement or flexibility in the ankle and difficulty in walking up or down the stairs.
Common forms of arthritis:
Post-traumatic arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis can occur after an injury to the joint, such as a fracture, causing damage to the articular cartilage. Sometimes the damaged cartilage needs to be surgically removed or it wears away naturally. Once it is removed, it is replaced by scar tissue which is not as effective in carrying weight or allowing the joint to function smoothly. Symptoms can include swelling, pain, tenderness, joint instability and internal bleeding. Trauma to the ankle joint often precedes osteoarthritis, causing the same pathology in the joint as outlined below.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis (‘wear and tear arthritis’) is less common in the ankle than it is in the hip or knee. It is caused by the erosion of a joint arising from the wearing away of cartilage. Without this protection, the bones rub together, becoming pitted and causing severe pain, stiffness and instability (although not necessarily inflammation). Patients also often develop large bone spurs or ‘osteophytes’ around the joint, further limiting their range of motion. Sufferers of early-stage osteoarthritis often notice pain at the beginning of a movement or during the first few minutes of exercise, before the joints are given a chance to ‘warm up’. Once the activity gets underway, the pain usually diminishes, although it is likely to increase again after resting for several minutes. As the condition worsens, pain may be present even at rest. Whilst osteoarthritis is a degenerative and chronic condition, there are varying degrees of severity. Some people manage with mild to moderate symptoms for the rest of their lifetime, it is only when symptoms become unmanageable that it may become necessary to explore options for treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition where the body’s immune system attacks the joints causing inflammation and pain. The synovium (lining of the joints) swells and joints become stiff and harder to move, especially early in the morning. Sometimes lumps can appear under the skin near the joints (called rheumatoid nodules). Over time, muscles around the joint waste away, as well as cartilage and bone, leaving only fibrous scar tissue. RA affects about 1% of the population and is three times more common in women than in men. The average onset age is between 35-45 years and the disease often runs in families. There is no known cure for RA, although various treatments can help ease symptoms.
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease characterised by inflammation both of the skin (psoriasis) and joints (arthritis). The symptoms of psoriasis include patchy, red or scaly areas of skin inflammation. Around 10 per cent of psoriasis sufferers also develop an associated inflammation of their joints, leading to psoriatic arthritis. It is a systemic rheumatic disease which can also cause inflammation in body tissues away from the joints or skin, such as in the eyes, heart, lungs or kidneys.
Important: The information and guidance provided here is general in nature and should not be considered as medical advice in any way. You should always seek detailed advice from a qualified medical practitioner.
