Without the support and stability of the ankle , the human body could not perform all the mobility and balance activities that man needs. In this article entitled “Treatments for ankle pathologies” we will see the possible solutions.
Having to not only connect the foot to the leg , but also support a large part of the body weight, the ankle is often subject to pathologies and problems.
These conditions, ranging from simple inflammation to much more serious fractures, contribute to a worsening of the quality of life of those affected. For this reason, and to safeguard the health of the ankle, it's important not to underestimate the possible symptoms that could indicate the presence of an ankle condition.
Even more important is knowing, evaluating, and choosing the ankle treatments that are most suitable for the type of pathology you are suffering from.
Non-surgical treatments: conservative treatments
When an ankle condition is diagnosed, if it is not particularly serious, or is still at a manageable stage, doctors usually recommend opting for non-surgical approaches.
These approaches, commonly called “ conservative treatments ”, are aimed at containing and managing the symptoms of the disease as best as possible, all without resorting to surgery.
As mentioned, conservative treatments are recommended when the situation is not particularly serious; these treatments are therefore chosen when the ankle has been affected by sprains , minor injuries , inflammation and non-displaced fractures in patients with low functional demands.
But what do these conservative treatments consist of?
It is worth listing the most recommended and functional ones, namely:
- Rest: which allows the damaged tissue to heal; usually the ankle is immobilized and the patient is forced to rest, so as to avoid the ankle being subjected to further injuries or unnecessary strain.
- IceIce: applied to the ankle, it helps relieve inflammation and the resulting pain. Applying ice is recommended for no more than 15-20 minutes every two or three hours, in the first few days after the injury or when the pain worsens.
- Physiotherapy: which consists of performing targeted stretching, mobilization and strengthening exercises, all aimed at improving the strength and flexibility of the ankle, after a period of immobilization in plaster cast or with specific braces
- drugs: they are not always prescribed, but usually, if necessary, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); these reduce swelling and pain.
Surgical treatments: the various types of ankle surgery
When conservative treatments do not resolve the situation, or the lesion-pathology turns out to be more serious than expected, it will be necessary to resort to surgery to get rid of the problem.
There are different types of surgical interventions , which are chosen depending on the pathology or injury affecting the ankle and also on the needs and expectations of the patient.
It is worth listing the most recommended and functional surgical procedures , also considering the different pathologies that can affect the ankle.
Let's start with ankle arthroscopy , considered a minimally invasive procedure. This procedure uses minimal incisions and a small camera to examine cartilage lesions, remove foreign bodies, and clean the joint. Today, increasingly smaller instruments are used, representing the evolution of arthroscopy, known as nanoscopy.
Osteotomy and arthrotomy , on the other hand, are slightly more invasive procedures because they involve opening the ankle through an incision ; this incision allows the surgeon to improve the alignment of the joint or correct any existing bone deformities.
When you have a serious problem like severe osteoarthritis , doctors usually recommend ankle arthrodesis . This operation involves fusing the ankle bones , which, while limiting normal ankle mobility, eliminates the pain that osteoarthritis causes. Currently, it's also possible to perform an ankle replacement, which maintains ankle mobility while eliminating the pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Finally, for complex fractures, screw and plate fixation should be considered . As the name suggests, this procedure uses screws and plates to stabilize the fractured bone or bones, thus promoting proper healing.
Ankle Prosthesis: What it is and what it is used for
When the ankle is subject to severe osteoarthritis or a serious fracture, which even the above-mentioned interventions cannot cure, there is also the option of replacement with an ankle prosthesis.
But what exactly is this ankle prosthesis?
When we talk about ankle replacement with an ankle prosthesis, we mean a surgical procedure that consists in the actual replacement of the entire ankle joint with an artificial prosthesis.
This procedure is considered when the pain affecting the patient is now chronic and unbearable , as well as when mobility is permanently compromised, leading to a slow decline in the patient's quality of life.
When conservative treatments and surgeries fail to cure the ankle problem, ankle replacement appears to be the ideal solution.
There are different types of ankle prostheses and different procedures for joint replacement. It's always best to rely on experienced surgeons , who can inform, guide, and support you through the process of choosing and implementing the procedure you ultimately choose.
Treat your ankle with SmartHallux
SmartHallux is a leader in the sector, using cutting-edge technologies combined with the professionalism and experience of its team of surgeons.
Offering personalized solutions for every type of patient, Dr. Luigi Manzi and the team of surgeons he leads have achieved excellent results in foot and ankle care over the years.
By relying on SmartHallux you will have the guarantee not only of obtaining excellent results , but also of returning to daily life within a reasonable time.
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