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Osteoarthritis is a gradual wearing and degeneration of the joint surfaces or articular cartilage. Osteoarthritis is most common in people who are middle age and adults over the age of 50. Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, and it can affect one ankle or both.

Common causes of ankle osteoarthritis include:

  • Genetics and family history can predispose individuals to developing osteoarthritis and joint degeneration
  • Fracture, ligament or cartilage damage can affect the stability and integrity of the ankle joint placing more stress on the joint or articular cartilage. The increased stress and force placed on the joint surfaces can lead to wear and tear on the joint.
  • Repetitive strain injuries to the ankle can damage and accelerate wear on joint surfaces
  • Obesity causes increased weight and pressure on the ankle joints, when performing everyday activities. This puts added stress on the ankles, increasing forces on the joint cartilage.
  • Diseases of the joint cartilage
  • Excessive use of steroids or steroid medication can result in degeneration of the joint and cartilage.
  • Previous trauma to a joint can increase wear and tear and the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis.
  • Pain and achiness in the ankle joint.
  • Loss of motion in the ankle. Stiffness may improve with movement.
  • Noticeable swelling around the joint.
  • Increased size or deformity of the joint
  • Weakness may be present making it difficult to move freely
  • Cracking, crunching or joint noise called crepitus when moving the ankle.

Treatment of osteoarthritis will depend on the severity of the condition. Some important guidelines should be followed at the onset:

  • Rest: avoid the activities that produce the pain. Avoid jumping, running, going up and down stairs, and walking for extended periods of time.
  • Ice or moist heat: apply ice to the joint or area of pain or inflammation. It is one of the fastest ways to reduce swelling, pain and inflammation. The application of moist heat may be helpful with stiff joints. The application of ice or heat should be done at intervals for about twenty minutes at a time. Do not apply directly to the skin.
  • Compression: when using ice, apply light compression. This is especially helpful if swelling is present.
  • Elevation: elevate the area to help reduce swelling.
  • Movement: keep your joints moving whenever possible. When pain occurs the tendency is not to move, but this will only result in further loss of motion and lead to increased pain and loss of function.

Mild

In mild cases rest, ice and medication may be all that is needed to reduce the pain. Once the pain is reduced physical therapy is recommended to develop a series of stretching and strengthening exercises to prevent loss of motion, weakness and function. Individuals are advised to avoid becoming sedentary; however return to full activity should be gradual to prevent a flare up of symptoms.

Moderate to Severe

If the problem persists, consulting your health care provider should be the next step. Your physician and/or physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation to determine the severity of the condition and the best course of treatment.

Physical Therapists are professionals, educated and trained to administer interventions. As defined by The Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, interventions are the skilled and purposeful use of physical therapy methods and techniques to produce changes consistent with the diagnosis, prognosis and the patient or client’s goals.

Your physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation to assess and determine the following:

  • Joint: a series of measurements will be performed to determine which joint is involved and the extent to which the inflammation is acute
  • Strength: resisted testing is performed to determine if there is associated weakness or strength imbalances
  • Flexibility: range of motion measurements will be taken to determine if there is reduced joint movement
  • Technique and ADL: the therapist will review what activities you have difficulty with and will help you make modifications in technique to reduce stress on the involved joint.
  • Gait, Balance and Alignment: the therapist will assess your gait and balance on even and uneven surfaces. An assistive device such as a cane or walker may be indicated to improve safety, gait and reduce stress on the effected joint.

Physical therapy for ankle arthritis must remain conservative at the onset to avoid aggravating the condition. Emphasis will be placed on rest, reducing the inflammation, protecting the joint and increasing the blood circulation for healing. Once the initial inflammation has reduced a program of stretching and strengthening will be initiated to restore flexibility and improve strength to reduce stress on ankle joint. Taping, bracing or strapping to rest and protect the joint while promoting healing may be indicated.

Common Physical Therapy interventions in the treatment of osteoarthritis include:

  • Manual Therapeutic Technique (MTT): hands on care including soft tissue massage, stretching and joint mobilization by a physical therapist to improve alignment, mobility and range of motion of the ankle. The use of mobilization techniques also helps to modulate pain.
  • Therapeutic Exercises (TE) including stretching and strengthening exercises to regain range of motion and strengthen muscles of the ankle and lower extremity to support, stabilize and decrease the stresses place on joint cartilage and the ankle joint.
  • Neuromuscular Reeducation (NMR) to restore stability, retrain the lower extremity and improve movement techniques and mechanics (for example, running or jumping) of the involved lower extremity to reduce stress on the joint surfaces in daily activities. Taping, strapping or bracing may be indicated for joint protection and promote healing. Gait and balance training may be indicated in those that have issues with walking.
  • Modalities including the use of ultrasound, electrical stimulation, ice, cold, laser and others to decrease pain and inflammation of the involved joint.
  • Avoiding the activities that produce the pain or stress the involved tendon is the first line of treatment.
  • RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation should be used to reduce the stress on the burse.
  • NSAIDS (Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Immobilization, strapping or bracing may be beneficial to rest, protect the joint and promote healing.
  • Injection of steroids may be indicated to reduce inflammation of the involved joint.
  • Joint injections of hyaluronic acid preparations (synvisc or suparz) to facilitate joint cartilage repair and regeneration.
  • In severe recurrent conditions surgery may be indicated. In less severe cases arthroscopic surgery to clean the joint surfaces (debridement) may be indicated. In cases of severe arthritis or joint degeneration an ankle replacement may be recommended.

Prognosis

Outcomes and prognosis for individuals with osteoarthritis will depend on the severity of the joint degeneration, motion loss, weakness and age of the individual.

Mild

Individuals with mild degeneration respond well to conservative treatment including medication for pain and inflammation and a program of exercises for stretching and strengthening of the ankle joint and surrounding muscles. Most patients show improvement in pain and function in 4-6 weeks.

Moderate

Individuals with moderate degenerative changes usually experience greater loss of motion, pain, weakness and loss of function. In some cases arthroscopic surgery may be required to clean or debride the ankle joint. Recovery may take from 6-9 weeks following surgery with emphasis on reduction of swelling, restoration of range, strength and function.

Severe

Individuals with severe joint degeneration have significant pain, stiffness, loss of motion and function. The cartilage on the joint surfaces has been eroded and X-rays reveal a loss of joint space and “bone on bone” contact. Joint replacement is the treatment of choice. At this point quality of life becomes a concern. Following a joint replacement the artificial ankle will be different from the natural joint and there will be some limitations in motion and function. However, a patient’s quality of life is usually significantly improved following a total joint replacement. Recovery following ankle replacement can take 3-4 months of intensive physical therapy and rehabilitation. Improvements and functional gains can continue to develop for up to a year following the procedure.

Prevention

Once the pain and inflammation is reduced, and motion and strength are improved it is important that the patient returns to full activity gradually. Instruction in daily activities and a comprehensive home program are helpful for reducing a reoccurrence of flare-ups and slowing the degenerative process. As a preventive measure individuals should:

  • Movement: keep moving and avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Joints are meant to move and depend on movement for lubrication. Sitting and remaining sedentary will reduce the joint’s available range of motion.
  • Stretching: stretching regularly in addition to before and after activity will reduce the chances of developing joint stiffness and pain. Stretching will also improve and maintain the elasticity and flexibility of muscles and tendons of the joint. Hold stretches for 20 seconds and do not bounce. Remember, as joints age flexibility is lost. It is part of the aging process.
  • Strength: performing a regular strength program will keep muscles strong enough to absorb the stresses placed on the joints. Weak muscles allow the stress and forces of every day activities to be transferred to the joint surfaces. Remember, as people get older weakness increases.
  • Protection: Avoid activities that place increased stress on the ankles. This includes running, jumping or other high impact activities.

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"I have had the pleasure of attending Twin Boro Physical Therapy this past year and prior to Optimum Health becoming Twin Boro, I had been a patient since 2006. The entire staff is very caring, professional, and make your PT sessions fun. There is always something to laugh about and get you through your pain! A special thanks to Keith for all he has done for me over the years!"

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"The therapists and staff at the Twin Boro in North Brunswick truly place their patients first. My six month experience at this office was outstanding. Coming to Twinboro, I was unsure of my diagnosis, but with the help and dedication of my therapist Ivana, answers were found and exercises were set in place to treat my symptoms. Ivana made coming to therapy an enjoyable experience with her attention to detail, compassion, and sociability. It was evident through the environment Ivana created for that she listens to her patients and makes decisions with the best interest of the patient in mind. If you need to attend physical therapy and are in the area, Twin Boro in North Brunswick is the right choice!"

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