If you’ve suffered an injury to your ankle in the past, you could be at risk of – or may already be experiencing – post-traumatic ankle arthritis. Medically termed osteoarthritis, this condition manifests itself in the form of chronic ankle pain. It may cause you to have difficulties with physical activities that involve using your ankles, such as running, going up and down stairs,
walking on uneven surfaces, etc.  So, what can you do? Is it preventable? Read on to find out whether osteoarthritis is causing your ankle pain, and what you can do about it.

 

Prevention

 

The best, and we might even say the only, way to prevent post-traumatic ankle arthritis is to seek proper care after an ankle injury. This is because damaged bone and/or joint structure leaves the ankle vulnerable to accelerated wear and tear when you go about your daily life. Any treatment after an injury should aim to restore the ankle to as close to its original structure as
possible.

 

Symptoms

 

If you suffered an ankle injury and you are now experiencing the following symptoms, it is possible that you are subject to post-traumatic ankle arthritis:

 Swelling
 Pain in the ankle or adjacent joints
 Increased pain during physical activity that puts pressure on the ankle
 Fluid accumulation 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, book an appointment with us so that we can assess the damage and make a diagnosis. Please note that it can take a number of years before ankle arthritis manifests itself, so even if your injury was a long time ago, it is not advisable to rule out the possibility of this diagnosis.

 

Treatment 

 

Unfortunately, once osteoarthritis begins to develop, it cannot be “cured.” However, it can be managed, and the pain minimized so that you can live a normal life.  There are several treatment options depending on how advanced the arthritis. We would
begin by looking at ways to strengthen the muscles or prescribing various support methods. These are intended to relieve the pain and gradually restore ankle function. If the arthritis is more advanced, however, there are surgical options which would involve realignment or reconstruction of the joints and bone structure.  We will only recommend surgical measures when all other options have been exhausted, and if we truly believe it is the best option for you. We have a range of treatment options available
and stay up to date on the latest research; as such, we will consider various factors such as your lifestyle and age to recommend the best course of action.

 

Get in touch with us today to book an initial consultation, where we will examine the areas you
are experiencing pain, and make a diagnosis and treatment plan.