Periarthritis of the ankle joint - causes, symptoms and treatment

Microtrauma of joints occurs due to constant monotonous loads. Pain occurs due to inflammation of the periarticular bursa - periarthritis.

When you have shoulder and neck pain, you always want to take a pill to feel better. In no case should you do this in case of acute periarthritis: by reducing pain, you will perform the same range of movements, and this is a direct path to the chronic form of periarthritis.

Constant use of painkillers has a detrimental effect on the liver and other organs. Therefore, Doctor Ost calls for completely abandoning analgesics with their temporary effect and harmful side effects. We use modern methods of treating periarthritis, which allow us to quickly, literally in one visit, cope with pain and restore injured joint tissue.

WHAT IS PERIARTHRITIS?

Periarthritis is an inflammation of the periarticular bursa, that is, the tissues interacting with the joint. It occurs more often in women over 45 years of age: hormonal changes in this period do not have the best effect on the condition of the connective tissue.

Seven out of ten cases of periarthritis occur in the shoulder joints. But the disease can begin in any joint: elbows, knees, wrists and even fingers suffer from periarthritis caused by monotonous stress.

Modern medicine treats post-traumatic periarthritis using gentle methods, without surgery or immobilization. Doctor Ost MC specializes in the treatment of joints. Here they know how to create conditions favorable for rapid tissue restoration and rapid recovery.

Reasons for development

The cause of periarthritis, as a rule, is repeated microtrauma to tendons and ligaments1. They occur when overexertion, significant or monotonous physical activity falls on the same joint. Such traumatic situations are not uncommon when playing sports, and can also be associated with the characteristics of professional activity. The most commonly injured joints are the wrist, elbow and shoulder joints. In the latter case, glenohumeral periarthritis develops, which can lead to significant limitation of movement in the shoulder.

The trigger for the development of the disease can be hypothermia, muscle spasm, injury from a fall or blow. Additional risk factors that can contribute to the development of periarthritis are age-related changes in joint tissue, muscle weakness, excess weight, metabolic disorders, osteochondrosis and other ailments.

Constant injury to the tendons with significant or uniform load on the joint gradually leads to the formation of microscopic foci of inflammation in the periarticular tissues. If, due to concomitant diseases, blood circulation in this area is difficult or it is affected by some provoking factors, the inflammation spreads and can become chronic.

SYMPTOMS OF PERIARTHRITIS

• Pain that feels like it is in the joint itself: limits movement, does not bother you at rest. Rotations are especially difficult. Burning pain appears in some positions of the limb.
• Mild swelling of the tissues over the affected joint; in acute periarthritis, a local increase in temperature is felt.
• Muscle spasm around the source of pain is noticeable.
• Sometimes the sensitivity of the areas around the joint disappears.
• In severe forms of post-traumatic periarthritis, fluid often accumulates around the joint - serous exudate.

Examinations necessary to make a diagnosis of periarthritis

For an accurate diagnosis and correct selection of treatment methods, the following are used:

• taking anamnesis, examining and palpating diseased joints;
• radiography;
• ultrasonography;
• CT scan;
• magnetic resonance imaging;
• arthrogram;
• joint fluid analysis;
• blood test, etc.

The problem with diagnosis lies in the similarity of the symptoms of periarthritis and a number of other disorders of the musculoskeletal system (synovitis, arthritis, arthropathy, etc.), which may require completely different treatment.

Consequences of periarthritis:

• The walls of the periarticular bursa become encapsulated, and calcifications appear in the tissues. Because of this, the mobility of the limb is limited. Even if there is no significant pain, the joint is still not able to move in the same range of motion.
• Due to the restriction of movement, joint tissues change pathologically, tighten, and lose elasticity - these are contractures.
• The nutrition of tissues not only around the joint is disrupted. Bones and ligaments become fragile, and the risk of osteoporosis and arthrosis increases.

Treatment of periarthritis at the TitAn Clinic

Periarthritis is a disease that affects connective tissues, the restoration of which requires time, elimination of negative factors and normalization of nutrition. In addition to drug treatment, a set of effective therapeutic procedures is prescribed:

• Acupuncture is a technique that has proven its effectiveness in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system over centuries of use. Original Chinese techniques for inserting needles into active points can restore blood circulation in the joint area, relieve the patient of pain and improve general condition.
• Acupuncture massage is a special technique of influencing the active centers of the body, helping to relax muscles and eliminate pain;
• Magnetotherapy is a technique that activates the body’s forces necessary to restore damaged tissue. It also improves blood circulation and the supply of nutrients.
• Hirudotherapy is an ancient method of therapy, the use of which accelerates the removal of toxins, cleanses tissue and harmonizes the regeneration processes of damaged tendons and serous membranes.
• Manual therapy is used after inflammation has been relieved. It helps restore tendon elasticity and joint mobility.

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Neurologists leading the initial appointment
Titarchuk Andrey Borisovich Chief physician

Yurasov Pavel Aleksandrovich Neurologist

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Pathogenesis

Periarthritis develops from infection of the soft tissues enveloping large joints of the upper and lower extremities. Degenerative processes can affect any interosseous joints of the foot. The pathology is based on degradation followed by secondary infection and visible changes in the cartilaginous surfaces, synovial bursae and tendons.

Clinically, the disease manifests itself as severe attacks of pain at the site of inflammation, limited joint mobility and regional muscle spasms.

In the case of periarthritis progression, partial or complete destruction of the cartilage fragment and immobilization of the limb are observed. It is difficult for the patient to move and perform even the simplest actions. In the advanced form of the disease, the fibrous tissues of the affected joints grow together, leading to a permanent disruption of the functionality of the organ.

Most often, the prognosis of ankle periarthritis is favorable and is characterized by gradual resorption of calcifications and foci of inflammation, as well as complete restoration of ankle mobility.

Traditional therapy

To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, the patient is prescribed the following medications:

1. NSAIDs: Diclofenac, Ibuprofen. They eliminate inflammation, pain and other symptoms. These drugs are prescribed in the form of ointments, tablets, and gel. The duration of their use does not exceed 7 days.
2. Painkillers: “Nise”, “Analgin”, “Spazmolgon”.
3. Steroids: Diprospan, Hydrocortisone. They are introduced into the periarticular cavity and remove the inflammatory process. Such injections are often not recommended.
4. Chondroprotectors: “Dona”, “Arthra”. They normalize metabolism in the joint itself and prevent the destruction of cartilage tissue.
5. Multivitamin preparations.

If a person feels intense pain, then he is prescribed Novocaine injections.

In addition to taking medications, the patient needs to perform physical therapy exercises. They are selected by the attending physician. At first, the intensity of execution is low. Thanks to the complex, you can quickly develop a limb. Physical education improves blood and lymph flow and relieves swelling. It is enough to simply bend and straighten the joint and make circular movements with it.

No less effective is the treatment of periarthritis of the ankle joint with ointments.

Possible complications

The absence of therapy does not go away without a trace. The inflammatory process becomes stronger, the symptoms become brighter. If no measures are taken, the following pathological complications are possible:

• constant presence of pain;
• inability to move freely, as every turn of the leg causes unpleasant symptoms;
• loss of motor ability of the ankle joint.

Improper treatment or lack thereof will lead to tissue necrosis. In this case, the person may become disabled.

Prevention

Preventive measures are necessary, especially if there is a possibility of styloiditis occurring in connection with professional activities:

• do not make sudden movements, use the entire hand to grasp the object;
• warm up muscles before physical education or sports;
• wear special gloves when working with vibrating tools;
• when working with a computer, rest every hour for 5 minutes, stretch your fingers and hands;
• the position of the body and hands at the computer should be as natural as possible;
• do special exercises if work involves a risk of developing a disease;
• try not to do monotonous work for a long time without a break.

If prevention is not carried out, the likelihood of developing styloiditis of the wrist joint increases.

There is no need to turn a blind eye to pain: identifying the problem in the initial stages will help you get rid of it quickly and without problems. Depending on the form and severity of the disease, the doctor will select suitable treatment methods. At the initial stage, you can easily and quickly get rid of styloiditis using shock wave therapy without surgery.

Physiotherapeutic treatment

In addition to medications, the patient is prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures:

1. Mud applications. They can eliminate pain in the affected part of the limb and improve local immunity.
2. Pharmacopuncture. This procedure involves the targeted administration of medications.
3. Laser and magnetic therapy. Treatment in this way allows you to improve your defenses, reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process, stimulate blood circulation and lymph outflow. These procedures help reduce swelling.
4. Electric and vibration massage. It normalizes muscle tone, therefore reducing the severity of pain.
5. UVT. Here, the affected tissues are cleansed of harmful substances and lymph outflow is restored.
6. Electrophoresis with medications. Thanks to the electrical effect, the medicine enters deep into the tissue and acts more effectively.

Acupuncture and acupressure are considered a good method of combating periarthritis. Thanks to these procedures, metabolism in the affected tissues is improved and limb mobility is improved.

Surgery is rarely performed, since the disease can be managed using traditional methods.

Types

There are several forms of development of inflammation of the ankle joint:

Due to education

• Primary;
• Secondary.

According to duration

1. Simple. The pain is mild, but slight discomfort is already felt when moving. The joint is swollen and has small seals inside, clearly visualized upon palpation of the inflamed area;
2. Spicy. The pain is very severe, intensifying after physical activity. The patient tries to immobilize the leg to prevent its mobility;
3. Chronic. The course is sluggish, with aching pain in the affected areas. Also added to the symptoms of the acute phase are increased body temperature, severe fatigue, weakness and progressive stiffness of the ankle joint.

Inflammation can be complicated by the following degenerative processes:

• Fasciitis - inflammation of the muscular system;
• Tendonitis - tendon lesion;
• Bursitis - inflammation of the interarticular space;
• Capsulitis - inflammation of the synovial bursa;
• Tenosynovitis - an inflammatory process in the tendon sheath;
• Enthesopathy - damage to the joints of the ligaments at the point of attachment to the bone.

Treatment with folk remedies

You can fight pathology not only with medications, but also with folk remedies. They are able to reduce the intensity of inflammation, improve metabolic processes and tissue nutrition. But before using this treatment method, you need to consult a specialist.

The following recipes will be useful:

1. You will need a bucket of water and half a kilogram of hay dust. The raw materials need to be boiled over low heat for several minutes. It takes half an hour to infuse. The liquid is filtered and poured into a basin. The product is used for foot baths. You need to take them for 30 minutes. In this case, you need to ensure that the water is always warm.
2. Honey. This remedy contains a huge amount of useful substances that can not only eliminate symptoms, but also restore the affected tissue. A compress is made from honey, which is fixed on the ankle overnight and tied with a warm scarf.
3. Horseradish based compress. It has a warming effect. It must be used carefully so as not to burn the skin. First, the vegetable is rubbed, and then laid out on a napkin and fixed over the affected tissues. It should be kept for no more than an hour.
4. Infusion using calendula or nettle. You need 1 tbsp. l. Pour a liter of boiling water over the selected crushed plant. It takes 20 minutes to infuse. Next, the liquid is filtered and used for grinding. It can also be used internally.

Folk remedies are not a panacea. They cannot always completely cope with the disease, so they are used in combination with medications prescribed by a doctor.