Frequently sprained ankle, arthritis watch...Maintaining normal weight and stretching are important
Apr 24, 2025
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◇A sprained ankle during sports activities, including arthritis
Ankle arthritis is a disease in which the ankle joint connecting the shin and foot bones is inflamed. Mainly, ankle pain and swelling appear, and the range of motion that can move the ankle is limited. Although prevalence varies from study to study, it is known to occur between approximately 1% and 3.4% of the total population. Other arthritis often occurs due to degenerative conditions, but ankle arthritis, on the other hand, is more than 70% caused by trauma such as ankle fractures or ligament rupture. Degenerative, rheumatoid disease, and gout can also cause ankle arthritis.
One of the common risk factors for ankle arthritis is ankle sprains. Ankle sprains can occur in everyday life, but they can be commonly injured during sports activities such as soccer, basketball, and badminton. As the sports population has recently increased, the number of cases has also increased. The sprain ranges from a slightly stretched ligament to a complete rupture and inability to walk properly. Of course, even if the ligament is completely ruptured, surgery is not necessary, and conservative treatment can achieve good results in 70 to 80%.
◇ Frequent sprains of ankle cause of ankle arthritis exacerbated by instability
Some patients with acute ankle sprain may not heal well and may be exacerbated by chronic ankle instability even after receiving conservative treatment. The damaged ligament is not healed normally and becomes chronically loose, which is called ankle instability. In this case, the ankle is often twisted, causing damage as much as once a week and as little as twice a month. If this accumulated damage continues to strain the cartilage of the ankle joint, ankle arthritis occurs after a long incubation period.
Conservative treatment is performed for ankle arthritis in early arthritis, where the joints are in good alignment and the cartilage is relatively good. Pain is controlled through medication through anti-inflammatory drugs, wearing assistants, and physical therapy. Surgical treatment is considered for end-stage ankle arthritis, which does not improve even with sufficient conservative treatment.
Surgical treatment is performed when the pain of end-stage ankle arthritis is severe and daily life is difficult. Typical surgical methods for end-stage ankle arthritis include joint fusion and total arthroplasty. Arthroplasty has long been considered the standard treatment, but in recent years, the frequency of arthroplasty is gradually increasing.
Professor Kyung Min-gyu explained, "The number of total replacement surgery is increasing due to the advancement of total replacement implants, improvement of surgical methods, and preservation of ankle joint range of motion."
◇During ankle joint fusion and total ankle joint replacement
A ankle joint fusion refers to a surgical method in which the tibia and humerus of the ankle joint are screwed into one. The advantage is that all worn cartilage areas are removed and firmly fixed, which can greatly reduce pain, while the disadvantage is that the range of motion of the joints is reduced and arthritis of adjacent joints may occur in the future. Total ankle joint replacement is a surgical method that converts the ankle joint itself into an artificial joint. Although the range of motion of the joint is relatively preserved, there are cases where reoperation is required later due to the existence of the lifespan of the implant. It has not been confirmed in many studies which of the two surgical methods is superior. Each surgical method has advantages and disadvantages, and standardized surgical indications and clinical criteria have not been determined to date.
Professor Kyung Min-gyu "In choosing a surgical method for arthritis, we must consider which method will benefit the patient more."We need to find the best surgical method for the patient's condition. "
◇ Maintain normal weight and need stretching before and after exercise
Overweight can increase the load on the ankle joint, worsening cartilage damage and arthritis. Therefore, you should maintain a normal weight with healthy eating habits and regular exercise. Before and after exercise, the ankle and Achilles tendons can be sufficiently stretched to maintain flexibility of muscles and ligaments, prevent injury, and reduce the risk of joint damage. Low-impact exercises such as walking, biking, and swimming on flat land are recommended rather than repeatedly shocking exercises such as running and jumping. Choose shoes with good cushioning, comfortable, and excellent stability to reduce the burden on the feet and ankles. If necessary, use an ankle brace to prevent impact and torsion.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
