Arthritis

Arthritis of the ankle can be a frustrating fact of life, causing chronic pain and limiting your physical activities. Here at Synergy Foot and Ankle, we can help you find the relief you’re looking for, and once again live your life to the fullest.

Discover Relief at Synergy Foot and Ankle

Ankle arthritis can have a variety of causes, but the end result is almost always the same: pain, stiffness, and a limited range of motion in the affected ankle, which can have a seriously negative impact on your quality of life. If you’re feeling frustrated by the presence of ankle arthritis and would like to once again enjoy your full range of motion, the talented team at Synergy Foot and Ankle is here to help. With years of experience and state-of-the-art facilities at our disposal, we’re ready to assess your issue and build a pathway to total wellness.

If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help you find relief from your ankle arthritis, simply reach out to us at our McKinney location and set up your in-person consultation today.

Understanding Your Arthritis

The key to addressing arthritis of the ankle lies in addressing the issue as early as possible. Your ankle joint contains a fair amount of cartilage, which keeps your bones from rubbing against each other as you move your feet and ankle all day. When this cartilage is broken down and worn thin, your bones don’t have their normal protection against the friction caused by your constant movement. As the cartilage degenerates, inflammation increases, your range of motion becomes more limited, and your pain grows more and more intense.

Further complicating the issue is the fact that arthritis (of any joint) is a progressively degenerative condition. This means that the issue will only get worse without proper treatment, and proper treatment can only come after an accurate diagnosis.

The Common Symptoms of Arthritis

Arthritis can affect almost any joint in the body, and its most common symptoms involve pain and stiffness in the afflicted joint. These symptoms, however, can be caused by a number of issues, so it’s always recommended that you have yourself examined, in order to determine that you are, in fact, dealing with arthritis.

Symptoms of arthritis in the foot may include:

Pain
Stiffness
Swelling
Redness
Decreased range of motion

What Caused My Ankle Arthritis?

Previous Trauma

Arthritis in the ankle can have a variety of root causes. The vast majority of osteoarthritis comes as a result of previous trauma to the afflicted joint. A sprain or fracture in the past can make the joint in question approximately seven times more likely to develop arthritis, and about 80% of all instances of arthritis are caused by previous trauma.

Underlying Conditions

Another root cause for arthritis is an underlying medical condition, such as a congenital defect, circulation problems, a blood disorder, or rheumatoid arthritis. Of course, patients with an active lifestyle that involves constant and heavy use of the ankle in question will also be more likely to develop arthritis in the area.

Experience and Expertise Working Hard for You

Dr. Tran brings years of experience and an extensive level of training to the table, so you can find relief from your pain and once again enjoy living your life to the fullest. As a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Tran has committed himself to helping his patients chart a course away from chronic pain, so they can get back to the activity and lifestyle they love.

If you’re interested in learning more about how Synergy Foot and Ankle can help you, our team is here to help. We can treat a wide variety of conditions afflicting the foot and ankles, restoring your quality of life and freeing you from chronic pain in the process. Reach out and set up your consultation at our McKinney location today!

Treating Your Arthritis

As with most issues impacting the foot and ankle, treatment for arthritis starts conservatively. These treatments are especially effective when arthritis is addressed in its earliest stages, which is why it’s never wise to ignore pain in these joints, even if it’s intermittent or not very severe. Conditions like arthritis are progressive, which means they will only worsen over time if they’re not treated properly. If conservative treatment is unsuccessful in alleviating a patient’s pain, other treatment options may include steroid injection or possible surgical intervention.

Conservative treatment modalities include:

Rest
Icing
Oral or topical anti-inflammatories
Shoe gear modification
Orthotic devices