Ankle pain: causes and treatment

The ankle has a rather complex structure. The foot has an ankle bone, which is connected to the bones of the leg. Three groups of ligaments hold this connection. The surface of the joint is covered with cartilage, and the cavity is filled with synovial fluid. The main function of the ankle joint is to provide flexion of the foot. Pain in the articular bag is most often caused by dislocations and subluxations, since the joint does not produce lateral rotation. There are several causes of pain in the ankle joint.

Dislocation

Any injury is usually accompanied by painful discomfort. At the turn of the foot is significantly shifted to the side. In this case, you can feel the bone fragments with your fingers. There is a rupture of blood vessels and an extensive hematoma appears. Often ankle fracture is accompanied by dislocation.

Damage to the ligamentous apparatus occurs in practicetraumatologist often enough. Diagnosis with the help of X-rays helps to determine the wrong location of the joint. Observed:

• increased joint volume;
• swelling;
• redness;
• sharp pain when moving.

The cause of dislocation of the ankle joint is the rupture of ligaments. In this case, the ligaments may not be completely broken. Partial rupture of ligaments occurs in fractures of the tibia. The displacement of the articular bag can occur with the integrity of the ligament apparatus. No one is insured against injury in the home, on the street or at work. However, older people are more likely to undergo similar trauma due to age characteristics and bone fragility. Dislocation is also diagnosed in women - lovers of high-heeled shoes.

In obese people often subluxation of the foot. Ankle strain occurs. The leg does not lose its mobility, but it hurts a lot. In the damaged areas, blood begins to accumulate, the foot swells. The main symptom of dislocation is the inability to stand up due to pain.

The cause of dislocation are:

• bad turn;
• hit;
• the fall;
• sprain;
• incorrect setting of the foot;
• pathology of tibial muscles.

Dislocation is often the result of the presence of dangerous diseases that lead to the development of bone fragility and joint mobility. Such illnesses include diabetes, tuberculosis, arthrosis, osteoporosis, muscle paresis, cancer.

Deforming arthrosis

Such a serious illness as arthrosis can deprive a person of mobility. In the beginning, the disease manifests as joint pain and stiffness of movement. As the disease develops, there is a complete loss of working capacity, a person becomes disabled.

The characteristic signs of osteoarthritis are pain, swelling, limited movement. There is a gradual destruction of the joint, which is accompanied by deformation of the bone and cartilage tissues. The working ability of a person is sharply reduced. At the onset of the disease, pain manifests itself when walking. Often, when the movement occurs crunch. The mobility of a person with arthrosis is sharply reduced.

Arthritis

• severe pain;
• swelling;
• weakness of the ligaments;
• stiffness of movements.

Ankle arthritis develops on the background of lesions of other joints. Almost all joints of the person are strongly inflamed. At night the pain is more intense. Pain when walking is clearly felt. When gout in the joints deposited mineral deposits, develop lumps and gouty granulomas.

The development of arthritis can occur against the background of disorders of the immune system. There is a natural wear of the joint in old age, with overweight, sedentary lifestyle. The cause of arthritis can be an infection. Microorganisms have a negative effect and develop inflammation in the tissues.

Achillitis

Pain in the ankle can accompany such a disease as achillitis. The disease develops due to congenital tendon pathology or as a result of trauma. A shortened tendon is diagnosed, which causes painful discomfort in the ankle. Athletes are especially susceptible to permanent injury to the ligaments.

As a result of the constant load on the ligamentous apparatus, there is undergoing some changes in the structure - deposits of mineral salts are formed, fibrous formations appear, the blood flow of the joint is disturbed.

Treatment

With dislocation
With the appearance of pain in the joint, it is imperative to visit the doctor and determine the cause of the symptom. It is impossible to warm the injured area in case of injury. This can contribute to the rapid development of the inflammatory process and lead to increased pain and swelling. It is required to exclude any thermal procedure for a sore joint.

It is necessary to exclude massages and rubbing of a sore joint. The mechanical effect on the affected area also aggravates the injury. On the first day of the dislocation, it is required to put an ice pack on the sore spot. An alternative would be a salt cold compress.

If a sprain occurs, it is important to limit the motor activity for several days. Attach to the sore spot cold and take an anesthetic. In case of injury, they take analgesics, apply a tight bandage on the ankle joint, and, if necessary, wear a plaster splint. In case of serious injury, surgery may be necessary.

With deforming arthrosis
Drug therapy of the disease is aimed at restoring the ability to work, eliminating pain and inflammation.Initially, it is required to eliminate the heavy load on the joint apparatus. In particularly severe stages of arthrosis, endoprosthetics are indicated.

In general, treatment comes down to the use of drugs that reduce the inflammatory prosthesis. Local topical ointments are used, which have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Diclofenac ointment is applied on the affected ankle, as well as chondroprotective agents. Preparations regenerate the cartilage of the articular apparatus, restore the volume of fluid, improve blood circulation. In some cases, injections are shown inside the joint. The intra-articular blockade helps relieve pain and discomfort, leaving the process of inflammation.

Assist in the restoration of the joint various physiotherapy. Appointed magnetic therapy, electrophoresis, therapeutic baths, laser treatment. The extensive range of measures used will allow you to quickly get rid of pain in the joint. Laser therapy is an innovative technique in the elimination of the inflammatory process. The light beam affects only the affected part of the joint. The high intensity of the laser allows you to generate significant energy.The generated impulses have a beneficial effect inside the articular sac. The laser helps to get rid of pain, it penetrates deep into the muscle and bone tissues.

Laser therapy:

• removes puffiness;
• eliminates pain;
• relieves pain;
• improves tissue nutrition;
• stimulates metabolic processes;
• enhances the biological reactions in the joint;
• accelerates cell regeneration.

With arthritis
The elimination of pain in the inflammatory process is possible with the use of:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• physiotherapy;
• spa treatment.

It is necessary to give up bad habits and lead a healthy lifestyle. A very negative impact has a sedentary lifestyle. In this case, microcirculation of blood in the joints is disturbed, the muscular-ligamentous apparatus is weakened. It is necessary to perform regular exercises, moderate gymnastics and daily walks in the fresh air.

Drug therapy is reduced to the use of ointments, corticosteroid drugs that eliminate inflammation in the joints. In the treatment of arthritis are used:

• Diprospan;
• Nimesulide;
• Nurofen;
• Meloxicam.

In infectious arthritis, the doctor prescribes a course of antibiotics. Preparations eliminate pathogenic microorganisms that cause the development of the inflammatory process. Used drugs group cephalosporins, penicillins, aminoglycosides. If the pain is caused by prosthetics, then the artificial joint must be removed.

Relief for arthritis can be such ointments as:

• Diclofenac;
• Artradol;
• Artra;
• Glucosamine.

In the fight against the disease, effective chondroprotectors are used, which eliminate inflammation and restore the cartilage structures of the joint. The action of the funds is aimed at reducing inflammation and restoration of articular tissue and synovial fluid.

Individually selected physiotherapy. With arthrosis help:

• massage;
• medical baths;
• hirudotherapy;
• laser treatment;
• electrophoresis.

Comprehensive treatment reduces pain, increases stamina of the affected joint, restores tone to atrophied tissues and ligaments. Special gymnastics contributes to the improvement of joint mobility, the development of flexibility and the elimination of stiffness of movements.

Physical therapy includes various exercises:

1. Bend the leg at the knee and make an ankle smooth rotation.
2. Bend the leg and tighten the heel to the buttock.
3. On bent legs, sit on the floor, spread your legs at the knees as much as possible. Zoom in and press the foot to each other.
4. Perform about 10 minutes of exercise "bike", focusing on the movements of the ankle and knee joints.

Well helps in the treatment of arthritis massage. It activates the blood supply of the joint, normalizes the blood flow, starts the necessary recovery processes. Massage eliminates stiffness of movements, eliminates puffiness, helps to remove excess fluid from the body. The defeat of the ankle provokes changes in the structure of cartilage tissue. Massage helps to regenerate cells and increase the endurance of the affected area. As a result, improves metabolic processes in the joint and reduces inflammation.

With achilitis
The disease often overtakes athletes. In case of Achilles tendon injury, it is important to immediately seek medical help from a doctor. For bruises and sprains, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are prescribed.Ointments are applied externally to the affected area until the tendon and joint are fully restored. It is also necessary to limit the strong motor activity and to ensure the necessary peace of the tendon.

Video: exercise to restore the ankle joint