Ankle arthritis

Arthritis is the general term for a group of conditions that cause inflammation in your joints. In ankle arthritis, there is inflammation in your ankle joint.

Your ankle joint is a complex joint that connects your lower leg bones to your foot and allows you to move your foot up and down and from side to side. It also supports your body’s weight, helps maintain balance and stability and acts as a shock absorber by protecting your leg and foot from injuries during high-impact activities.

There are several types of arthritis that can affect your ankle, including:

• Ankle osteoarthritis: The most common type of arthritis caused by wear and tear on your joints
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): An autoimmune condition causing inflammation in your joints
• Gout: A condition caused by high levels of uric acid in your blood
• Post-traumatic arthritis: A form of arthritis that can occur after injury

The cost of ankle arthritis treatment will depend on your individual circumstances. At the time of your appointment your consultant will discuss all options with you and ensure all your questions are answered.

Our fixed-price packages include the cost of your surgery and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant's outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.

Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you.

The cause of ankle arthritis depends on the type of arthritis you have:

• Osteoarthritis is the most common type of ankle arthritis. It becomes more common as you age and is caused by wear and tear on your joints
• Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own tissues (in this case, your joints)
• Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in your blood (hyperuricaemia). It may occur due to factors such as your diet, how much alcohol you drink, certain medications or medical conditions
• Post-traumatic ankle arthritis develops after an ankle injury

You may have a higher risk of developing ankle arthritis if you:

• Have a family history of arthritis 
• Are over 50 years of age 
• Are male 
• Smoke
• Have previously injured your ankle
• Regularly put a lot of stress on your ankle, such as playing certain sports, or have a job where you spend a lot of time on your feet
• Have another health condition, such as obesity, an autoimmune disease, or any long-term condition that affects your joints

The symptoms of ankle arthritis vary from person to person and may be mild or severe. You may have pain all the time, or it may be worse in the morning, after rest or during activities that put stress on your ankle joint. 

Common symptoms of ankle arthritis include: 

• Pain or tenderness around your ankle 
• Stiffness 
• Swelling 
• Skin redness 
• Heat or warmth around your ankle joint
• Reduced range of motion (how well you can move your ankle)
• Inability to weight bear on the affected ankle

At your first consultation, you will be seen by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, a doctor specialising in conditions affecting the bones, joints, muscles and soft tissues.

This first appointment is important as it’s where you’ll meet your consultant, the doctor responsible for your care.

At your appointment, your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, family and medical history and general health. They will examine your ankle to check for any signs of arthritis, such as pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, visible deformity and reduced range of motion.

Your consultant may order tests or scans, such as an X-ray, CT, or MRI, to confirm your diagnosis or rule out any other conditions that could be causing your symptoms. If gout or another underlying condition is suspected, your consultant may order a blood test.

During your appointment, your consultant will spend time getting to know you and ask how your symptoms impact your life and what you would like to achieve from your treatment.

At Circle Health Group, we want you to be as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your time with us, so please discuss any questions or concerns with your consultant during your appointment.

It may help to write down any questions before your appointment, so you don’t forget them.

You may want to ask about:

• The type of arthritis you have
• What could have caused your arthritis 
• Possible treatment options
• Any activities to limit or avoid
• Any lifestyle changes you can make to help manage your symptoms
• If surgery is recommended, the type of anaesthetic that will be used, what happens during the procedure, any risks and complications, and what the recovery involves

Treatment for ankle arthritis depends on the type of arthritis you have as well as your symptoms, general health and any treatments you have tried previously. Your consultant will recommend the best treatment or combination of treatments for you, depending on your individual circumstances.

Treatment options include conservative (nonsurgical) treatments and surgery. Conservative treatments are usually tried first.

Common arthritis treatments include:

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes are often the first step in treating ankle arthritis and aim to improve your symptoms and/or prevent them from getting worse. Lifestyle changes are usually used in combination with another treatment such as medication, steroid injections or physiotherapy.

Some lifestyle changes that may help improve the symptoms of ankle arthritis include:

• Avoid activities that increase stress on your ankle joint, such as running, jumping, standing for long periods and heavy lifting
• Lose weight if you need to and maintain a healthy weight
• Choose low-impact exercise such as swimming, light cycling, and walking to strengthen your ankle muscles and improve your overall health without putting stress on your ankle joint
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet and avoid foods that cause inflammation, such as processed foods, red meat, fried foods and foods high in sugar
• Wear shoes that fit properly and support your foot and ankle

Medication

Medication may include over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or pain relievers like paracetamol.

In some cases, your consultant may prescribe stronger pain medication.

Steroid injections directly into your ankle joint can reduce inflammation temporarily and may be given before starting physiotherapy to make exercising your ankle easier.

Orthotics and assistive devices 

Orthotics are shoe inserts that you can buy over the counter or have custom-made. Your physiotherapist can advise you on the correct type of orthotics to wear, as well as recommend other types of assistive devices such as canes, walkers or ankle braces.

Physiotherapy

Ankle physiotherapy works by strengthening the muscles in your ankle to build strength, restore function and improve flexibility. Your physiotherapist may use several techniques, including exercise, manual therapy, and electrotherapy. They can also provide expert advice on managing your pain and performing everyday tasks.

Surgery

Your consultant may recommend surgery for arthritis if you have severe symptoms that affect your quality of life and impact your ability to carry out day-to-day activities. Surgery is normally only considered if conservative treatments haven’t worked.

Surgery for ankle arthritis may include:

• Ankle arthroscopy: A type of keyhole surgery to examine and repair your ankle joint. It may be used in the early stages of ankle arthritis to prevent further damage to your ankle joint
• Ankle fusion: A procedure to fuse your ankle bones together, reduce pain, and improve stability in your ankle joint
• Ankle replacement: This is surgery to remove your damaged ankle joint and replace it with an artificial one. It may be used to treat advanced arthritis when there is severe damage to your ankle joint

Ankle arthritis surgery is generally safe, but as with all medical procedures, there is a small risk of side effects or complications.

Your consultant will explain all the possible risks and complications of your procedure to you and answer any questions you may have.

Potential risks of any surgery include:

• Adverse reactions to the general anaesthetic
• Bleeding 
• Blood clots in the legs or lungs
• Chest infection

Possible risks of ankle arthritis surgery include: 

• Infection
• Swelling
• Damage to nearby nerves or blood vessels
• Continued pain and stiffness
• The surgery may not work to relieve your symptoms

At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care, including:

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you 
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suits your needs 
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs 
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standard 
• A range of delicious, healthy meals 
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included 
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about ankle arthritis treatment, book your appointment online or call a member of our team today.

1. Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle, OrthoInfo
2. Ankle Arthritis, Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 
3. Osteoarthritis of the Ankle, Arthritis Foundation