Ankle Arthritis

What is ankle arthritis?

Arthritis means inflammation of the joints. Because the feet and ankles have many small joints and carry the weight of the body, they may be prone to arthritis.

Arthritis is caused by a breakdown in the protective cartilage at the end of each joint, so that the bones begin to wear against each other and the joint becomes stiff and painful. This breakdown may be caused by simple wear and tear, an injury, or from rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes the body to break down its own cartilage.

Symptoms include swelling, warmth, and redness in the joint, and pain with movement or with pressure on the joint.

Diagnosis is made through taking a medical history, physical examination, and imaging such as X-rays, CT scan, or MRI.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top symptoms

• Swollen ankle
• Swollen foot
• Joint stiffness
• Pain in one ankle
• Ankle stiffness

Treatment

There is no cure for arthritis, but treatment is important because the symptoms can be managed to prevent further damage, ease pain, and improve quality of life. Treatment involves physical therapy, pain-relieving medications, and sometimes surgery to help repair damaged joints.