Ankle arthritis is a condition in which the ankle bone, a joint that connects the foot to the leg, has damaged or worn cartilage. While not life-threatening, ankle arthritis can interfere with movement and your quality of life. It's a painful medical condition, causing your ankle to experience pain and inflammation. If you live in Abingdon or Bel Air and you suffer from ankle arthritis, contact Dr. Michael Block and Dr. Monica Cooney to treat your condition.
How Ankle Arthritis Occurs
The older you are, the greater chance you have of developing arthritis. This is because the condition develops when your joints wear out over the years. The cartilage between your bones grows thin until eventually, your bones are rubbing against each other. The soft tissue inside your bones also begins to deteriorate. As a result, walking can become quite painful.
Ankle Arthritis Symptoms
When you have ankle arthritis, there are certain symptoms you may experience.
- Your joints feel stiff, warm or swollen
- It's difficult to walk, move or put weight on your ankle
- It hurts when you touch your ankle
- It hurts when you move your ankle
- When you sit or lay down, you experience pain or swelling
Tests Used to Diagnose Ankle Arthritis
Your doctor typically uses an X-ray to diagnose ankle arthritis. More unusual conditions may require a CT scan or MRI. Dr. Michael Block or Dr. Monica Cooney will decide which tests to use depending on your individual situation. If you live in Abingdon or Bel Air, either doctor can treat your ankle arthritis.
Ankle Diagnosis Treatments
When one of our podiatrists diagnoses you with ankle arthritis, they will begin with nonsurgical treatments. This may involve lifestyle changes like losing weight or changing to low impact exercise such as riding an indoor bike. Other nonsurgical treatments include physical therapy, medication, or wearing an ankle brace.
If nonsurgical treatment doesn't fix the problem, your podiatrist will recommend surgery or a total ankle replacement.
Get Relief from Ankle Arthritis
If you live in the Abingdon or Bel Air area and you think you have ankle arthritis, schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Block or Dr. Monica Cooney. They will diagnose the condition and discuss treatment options so that you can return to a pain-free life. Contact us today at 410-569-0445.