Arthritis In An Injured Ankle Joint
The ankle is one of the most important joints in the body since it plays a crucial role in proper walking. With arthritis, your ankle can become stiff and painful, and if left untreated, walking can become difficult or even impossible. As you get older you are more prone to developing arthritis in your ankles. This is particularly likely if you have injured your ankle at some point.
To reduce the potential for painful and debilitating arthritis, it is important to properly care for an injured ankle joint. Doing so allows the joint to heal and become strong again. With the right care, you can enjoy pain-free walking.
Arthritis can occur almost anywhere in the body, including the back, neck, hands, legs, and feet. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly experienced form of this condition and is the result of years of wear and tear on your joints. Over time, the cartilage in your joints wears out, causing the painful symptoms of arthritis.
Traumatic injuries to a joint, such as a broken bone or torn ligament, can also result in arthritis occurring later in life. Sometimes, even if you get the best medical treatment, you can still develop arthritis in a joint that has been injured. However, receiving proper care does make future problems less likely.
Another type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. This is the result of a problem with your body’s immune system. The lining of your joints becomes inflamed and irritated. Most people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis tend to develop it in their feet and ankles at some point.
If you are experiencing pain in your ankles or feet, it is important to have the area examined by a doctor. X-rays, bone scans, and MRIs may be used to examine the injured area. The results of these tests can then be used to determine whether or not you have arthritis.
Arthritis can be treated in a number of different ways. For mild cases, your doctor may prescribe painkillers, such as ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatories. Steroid injections can also be used to provide relief from the painful inflammation of the joint. Physical therapy can also be used to strengthen the muscles around the joint to provide more support.
In more severe cases of arthritis, surgery may be required. The joint may need to be cleaned out or adjusted to provide relief. If the joint is very badly worn or damaged, it may need to be replaced with an artificial joint. After such a procedure, you may need to spend several months recovering.
Make sure that you seek treatment for joint injuries as soon as possible. Do not ignore the pain and hope that it just goes away on its own. In many cases, doing so actually makes the problem worse. The sooner that you get treatment, the better your long-term prognosis will be.
Maintaining good joint health is crucial if you want to stay active and mobile for as long as possible. Talk to your doctor right away if you are experiencing joint pain.
