Surgery For Arthritis In The Ankle
Your doctor may recommend surgery for your ankle arthritis if your pain causes disability and isnt relieved with nonsurgical treatment. Your doctor may recommend more than one type of surgery. Ankle surgery is complicated as it most commonly involves a fusion of the rearfoot or ankle joint or both, says Dr. Archer. If there is significant spurring of the ankle joint, the spurs can be resected via ankle arthroscopy first before fusion is attempted to try and restore ankle motion. However, all non-surgical measures should be attempted before surgery is planned.
Whats right for you depends on the extent of your arthritis in the ankle. Here are some options.
Ankle arthroscopic repair: Ankle arthroscopy is useful to clean up loose joint bodies, or small pieces of bone spurs in the joint that have broken off over time, says Dr. Archer. It can lead to less pain and improved range of motion, says Dr. Bilal. Since the surgery can be done laparoscopically, your surgeon will make a few small incisions.
Ankle arthroscopic repair is helpful in the early stages of arthritis in the ankle and for those with limited ankle arthritis. Its often ineffective in advanced ankle arthritis, says Dr. Bilal. Thats because when a significant amount of cartilage has worn away, the procedure wont help the joint.
Dr. Archer says that you shouldnt expect to walk as you once did. But if the pain is bad enough, you may welcome the chance to walk slightly differently without pain.
Wrapping It Up: Listen To Your Pain
Pain is how your body tells you that there is something wrong. Unfortunately, many people are out of touch with their bodies or are dealing with non-specific pain and trying to just guess at the issue.
If youre ready to take your first steps towards a pain-free life, we havecustom acupuncture treatments which can be specifically tailored for your holistic and unique healing journey. Its your body and thus your pain, so simply listen and you may be surprised at what its telling you!
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Nutritional Supplements And Dietary Changes
There’s no strong evidence to suggest that specific dietary changes can improve rheumatoid arthritis, although some people with rheumatoid arthritis feel their symptoms get worse after they have eaten certain foods.
If you think this may be the case for you, it may be useful to try avoiding problematic foods for a few weeks to see if your symptoms improve.
But it’s important to ensure your overall diet is still healthy and balanced. A Mediterranean-style diet, which is based on vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, beans, cereals, grains, fish and unsaturated fats such as olive oil, is recommended.
There’s also little evidence supporting the use of supplements in rheumatoid arthritis, although some can be useful in preventing side effects of medicines you may be taking.
For example, calcium and vitamin D supplements may help prevent osteoporosis if you’re taking steroids, and folic acid supplements may help prevent some of the side effects of methotrexate.
There’s some evidence to suggest that taking fish oil supplements may help reduce joint pain and stiffness caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
Further information
- National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society : diet and rheumatoid arthritis
Page last reviewed: 28 August 2019 Next review due: 28 August 2022
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Make Sure You Get Enough Vitamin C
Vitamin C not only helps produce collagen, a major component of joints, but sweeps the body of destructive free radicals, which are harmful to joints. One of the best-known studies looking into vitamin C and arthritis found that people whose diets routinely included high amounts of vitamin C had significantly less risk of their arthritis progressing. Spread out your intake throughout the day because your body doesnt store vitamin C rather, it takes what it needs from the bloodstream at any given time and flushes out the rest. This means a megadose in the morning doesnt really do as much good. Sip citrus drinks or eat C-rich fruits and vegetables such as strawberries or melon, broccoli, or sweet peppers. And be sure to avoid these foods that might flare your arthritis.
Discover The Benefits Of Chiropractic Adjustment For Shoulder Pain
Those suffering from shoulder pain may not know that chiropractic for shoulder pain offers great added benefit. Due to the intense work that chiropractic care does for joints in the body, it actually makes a lot of sense to have a physician of this type to guide healing. Care is specific, natural, and client-oriented.
Imaging technologies, physical assessments, and pain tests may be utilized to diagnose the cause of shoulder pain. From there, a shoulder pain treatment plan can be orchestrated to allow for the most efficient healing process for each patients needs. Recovery plans may include chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitative therapy, and chiropractic massage therapy.
Chiropractic adjustments may be used to address the underlying cause of pain. Even if a joint has not been dislocated, it may not be positioned in a way that allows the neuromuscular system to function properly. The body uses pain to let us know that something is not exactly right. Signals, registered as pain, will let us know that something needs attention.
With a chiropractic adjustment for shoulder pain, the joint is gently shifted, realigning it to its natural positioning. This key role of chiropractic care helps the body to recognize its own ability to regain wellness. The neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems can begin to work in tandem for the benefit of the patient as care is provided.
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Working Toward A Personalized Approach To Pain Management
This meta-analysis cannot tell us which of these types of medication should be prescribed for a particular patient. No study can. The person-to-person variation in the effectiveness of any KOA treatment is huge. One patient may get near-total pain relief while another is not helped at all. These findings do give clinicians a benchmark for the typical amount of pain relief that might be expected from these medications, and suggest that, since they work about equally well, the choice of which one to use will be influenced by considerations other than effectiveness. Providers and those suffering with chronic pain also need to weigh potential side effects. Treatment with oral NSAIDs can result in stomach problems like bleeding, ulcer, and stomach upset, as well as high blood pressure and kidney problems. Opioids can have side effects such as constipation, nausea, and drowsiness. As you are also likely aware, opioids are also associated with a risk of serious overdose and addiction.
Is There A Best Pain Reliever For Osteoarthritis
- By Robert R. Edwards, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
ARCHIVED CONTENT: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date each article was posted or last reviewed. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Osteoarthritis affects tens of millions of Americans and is a leading cause of disability and reduced quality of life across the globe. Other than joint replacement surgery, there is no known cure for OA, and most treatments focus on relief of symptoms such as pain. Often, the first step is non-medication-based approaches such as physical therapy, exercise, and weight loss. Most patients, however, will eventually use pain relievers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . Other kinds of medication, such as opioids, have also been tested as treatments for OA, and there is ongoing debate about what treatments are best.
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What Is The Best Treatment For Arthritis
Painkillers, along with physical therapy, is usually considered the best treatment for arthritis in the early stages. However, if the patient is unable to continue their daily activities, then the surgical option is recommended at the particular painful joint to give relief to the patient.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapists can work with patients on exercises to reduce pain and improve their range of motion. Patients with arthritis have a hard time performing physical activities, but exercise can relieve arthritis pain and lessen joint damage.
- Exercise can also help to lose weight that will put less stress on the joints. Exercises such as stretching, muscle strengthening and aerobics can help patients to stay fit. It also increases flexibility, range of motion and lubrication in their joints.
- Exercises involving lifting weights can build muscle strength, which can help a person to manage daily activities.
- Exercises also strengthen the heart and lungs and can reduce fatigue besides increasing the patients stamina.
- Typical aerobic exercises such as walking, running, riding a bicycle, swimming, or using a treadmill can cut down calories. Walking and water aerobics are considered the best exercises for arthritis patients.
How Ankle Arthritis Is Diagnosed
If ankle arthritis is suspected, doctors will start with a medical history to determine a diagnosis. Theyll ask when you noticed your symptoms, where you feel pain, and how the symptoms affect your life. Theyll examine your ankle to check for signs of arthritis in the joints, such as swelling and tenderness.
Other tests can assess whether other types of arthritis may be responsible for the ankle pain, such as blood tests that measure inflammation and antibodies to rule out inflammatory arthritis, or testing of joint fluid for uric acid crystals if gout is suspected. Imaging tests such as X-rays can help confirm a diagnosis and determine the extent of the joint damage.
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Why Trust Verywell Health
As a seasoned health writer, Jennifer Nied understands how vital quality product recommendations are for treating symptoms safely and effectively at home. For over 10 years, she has reviewed products, interviewed experts, scrutinized ingredients, and pored over research studies and claims, to help readers like you understand what works for your specific conditions. Every product in this piece was selected taking into account recommendations from doctors, published research, and real customer reviews.
Additional reporting to this story by Danielle Zoellner and Elizabeth Yuko
As a seasoned health writer, Danielle Zoellner knows the importance of finding just the right product to fit your medical needs. Throughout her career, Danielle has interviewed a variety of experts in the medical and health fields while reviewing dozens of products. Her experience and knowledge in the field work together to help readers like yourself find the best products for your daily life.
As a seasoned health writer and editorand someone with rheumatoid arthritisElizabeth Yuko understands how much of a difference finding the right product makes for those with arthritis. Shes always on the lookout for new products, techniques, and services that can help people cope with their health challenges.
What Type Of Hand Surgery Is Most Commonly Performed On The Specific Joints Affected By Arthritis
- Base of the thumb: Where your thumb and wrist join. Common surgical options include removing part or all of one of the trapezium bone , tendon transfer or joint fusion.
- Knuckles : Joint replacement is almost always considered for this repair. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause serious damage and disability to your knuckles.
- Second joint of your finger : Osteoarthritis commonly causes stiffness and loss of motion. Joint replacement or fusion are considered for these joints. Because you use these joints frequently, there is a chance your implant could wear out. In this case, your provider may recommend further surgery.
- Top of finger joint : Joint fusion is commonly used to treat arthritis in this joint.
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How To Use Pain Medications Properly
There are two types of over-the-counter pain medications that can be used for osteoarthritis. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever but not an anti-inflammatory. It may help with mild knee pain.
NSAIDs can be more effective because they both relieve pain and reduce inflammation. However, they come with potential side effects and risks. NSAIDs can irritate the lining of the stomach, which may lead to an ulcer or other stomach problems. They also can impair kidney function. Some NSAIDs can increase blood pressure. And theyve been linked to an increased risk for heart disease.
Because of the risks, Dr. Day cautions against using NSAIDs regularly over long periods of time. Instead, she uses NSAIDs for her patients in two ways. First, people who have a flare-up of pain can take them regularly for three to five days and then stop. Second, they can be used over the long term, but only occasionally, maybe a couple of times a week as needed.
If youre taking NSAIDs several times a day for long periods of time, Dr. Day advises reducing their use by maximizing the other treatment strategies. She also suggests trying a topical NSAID, such as diclofenac , which has fewer potential side effects.
Opioid pain relievers are discouraged for long-term treatment of chronic knee pain. The milder narcotic tramadol might be appropriate for occasional use in some people, says Dr. Day.
Ways Chiropractic Can Kill That Killer Shoulder Pain
What do chiropractors do for shoulder pain? Chiropractors identify and treat the actual cause of shoulder pain and help get patients healthy! Chiropractic care works with the musculoskeletal system. This means that joints, bones, cartilage, ligaments, connective tissues, and tendons of the body get direct care. This is what you want for an efficient, effective, and lasting healing process!
Care is centered around directing the body to work together as a unit, shoulders and all. Specific treatment plans are generated based on the source of discomfort. The shoulder is an integral joint and must be able to function in cooperation with the spine, neck, and the rest of the body.
A clients shoulder joint alignment will be reviewed in relation to their pain. Alignment may seem like an obvious consideration if an injury has occurred. In reality, joints may often be slightly askew for a number of reasons not directly related to an injury. Acute and chronic shoulder pain considerations will be considered during chiropractic care.
When you think about your local chiropractor, what comes to mind? Back pain? Neck pain? Maybe sciatica or joint pain. Most people never seem to link chiropractic care with shoulder pain and yet, it remains one of the most effective ways to treat painful shoulders and arms.
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Can Other Conditions Be Caused By A Shoulder Blade Fracture
Many people who experience shoulder blade fractures also have other serious injuries as a result of the trauma, such as skull, spine, and chest.
If left untreated, shoulder blade fractures will heal over time, but may heal in the wrong position. This is called malunion. Malunion can lead to residual pain and stiffness, mobility issues, and a bump on the back of the shoulder blade. Usually, surgery is required to fix a shoulder blade fracture that heals incorrectly.
There are several different treatments available for fractured shoulder blades.
Medication For Arthritis In The Ankle
Medications are an important part of treatment for arthritis in the ankle. They can help slow bone loss, relieve inflammation, and ease pain. Here are the types of medications used commonly in arthritis treatment.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and naproxen , as well as prescription NSAIDs, can help relieve pain and swelling in the joints. Even though many NSAIDs are available over the counter, they can have side effects especially when taken for the long term and/or in high doses.
Oral corticosteroids: These quick-acting drugs help stop inflammation and are often used to manage flares in rheumatoid arthritis and gout, says Rajat Bhatt, MD, a community rheumatologist with offices in Richmond, Pearland and Greater Heights, Texas. Its best to use corticosteroids in the lowest possible dose for short periods of time, as they can cause a range of serious side effects, including bone thinning and high blood sugar.
Steroid injections: In certain cases, steroid injections into the ankle joint can help relieve inflammation. These shots shouldnt be done repeatedly, though. Frequent injections damage cartilage, says Dr. Bhatt. Also, we try avoiding tendon injections and tendon ligaments close to the joint. An occasional shot, though, can offer temporary pain relief and reduce inflammation. No more than three injections per year is the standard of care, says Dr. Archer.
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What Is The Outlook Or Prognosis Of Arthritis
It is usually difficult to predict the course of arthritis, and the prognosis varies greatly on several factors. Arthritis can reduce a persons life expectancy, although many people live with their symptoms beyond the ages of 80 or even 90 years.
Factors affecting arthritis prognosis include age, disease progression, and lifestyle factors, such as smoking and weight management. Because of advances in medications and other treatments, the prognosis for arthritis is better than ever before.
These Arthritis Home Remedies May Be Worth A Try As Part Of Your Overall Doctor
While medication is a cornerstone and critical part of managing arthritis, home remedies and lifestyle changes can be important in your arthritis treatment plan too, says Susan Blum, MD, MPH, chronic disease specialist, assistant clinical professor in the department of preventive medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, and author of Healing Arthritis: The 3-Step Guide To Conquering Arthritis Naturally.
You need to treat arthritis from a whole body perspective, not simply a medical one, which means incorporating all facets of wellness, including what you do at home, she says. She knows firsthand of what she speaks, noting that she uses home remedies to help her own arthritis and autoimmune disorder. She swears by a daily meditation, green smoothies, gardening, and walking outdoors.
However, its important to note that home remedies should not replace medication. And you need a healthy amount of skepticism when deciding which ones to try and implement, says Don R. Martin, MD, a rheumatologist with Sentara RMH Rheumatology in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Many natural remedies arent backed by science or the research is very limited or weak. And even for therapies that have shown to be effective, supplements and natural therapies are not regulated the same way prescription medications are, so the purity and quality can vary widely, he adds.
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