One of the leading causes of disability in the world is arthritis. It results in joint pain and can occur at any age.
Early diagnosis is very important. Because; There is no definitive approach to completely eliminate calcification. However, a number of precautions can be taken to prevent it. A pain-free, active and satisfactory quality of life is possible with early precautions and treatments.
Anatomy
There are 28 bones and more than 30 joints in the foot. There are ligaments and muscles that connect these bones together. Arthrosis, or calcification as it is also known, is a disease that develops in one or more joints and effectively affects walking and balance.
Ankle joint: It is a large joint between the foot bones called tibia and talus.
Back of the Foot: There are 3 joints and 2 bones. Talus and Calcaneus bones. These bones include the subtalar, talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints.
Midfoot: consists of tarsal bones. There are 5 pieces. They are cuboid, navicular and 3 cuneiform bones.
Forefoot: It consists of 5 metatarsal and 14 phalanx bones.
Definition and Reasons
There are 3 common causes of arthritis in the foot or ankle.
Osteoarthritis or Arthrosis
A degenerative disease that causes peeling and loss of joint cartilage. is the process. It is common in older people, women and obese people. It occurs when the joint deteriorates and the bones rub against each other, resulting in pain, swelling and stiffness. It is a progressive disease that progresses slowly over the years.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
It is a systemic disease, not a local one like osteoarthritis. It is a systemic rheumatic disease that affects many joints at a young age when the immune system is affected. As a result, a process occurs in which the joint cartilages are destroyed.
Post-Traumatic Arthrosis
It occurs as a result of damage to the joint cartilage after a fracture or injury.
Clinical Findings and Complaints
The location and severity of the complaint varies depending on the affected joint. Common complaints:
- Pain and Tenderness
- Stiffness and limitation of movement
- Swelling
- Difficulty in bearing weight and walking
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Pain in diagnosis Its style, its residue, tense, continuous, place and start time are important. X-ray will give detailed information about joint distance and bone structure. MRI and CT may be requested as further examination.
Treatment
Treatment varies depending on the severity and location of arthrosis.
Non-Surgical Treatment - Medication treatment is started to reduce swelling and pain
- Soft and orthopedic shoes
- Resting with ankle orthosis
- Using a cane to prevent weight bearing
- Physical therapy and exercise
- Weight Control and nutritional supplements
- Using intra-articular medication is among the recommendations.
Surgical Treatment
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If the patient does not respond to non-surgical methods, surgical treatment is planned. Treatment varies depending on the severity and location of the affected joint. There are multiple surgical options. There are 3 methods;
Arthroscopic debridement, arthrodesis and arthroplasty.
Athroscopic Debridement (Joint Cleaning)
It provides relief and is beneficial in the early stages. Intra-articular calcification tissues are cleaned.
Arthrodesis (Joint Freezing)
The joint is completely frozen and its movement is eliminated. In this method, screws, plates or K wires are fixed in the joint and frozen.
It provides relief in advanced cases and is an effective method and the most frequently preferred method.
Joint Prosthesis
It is a new trend and long-term results have not been published. It is not as widely used as knee and hip prosthesis.
Surgery Process
- Foot and ankle surgeries can be painful. Painkillers will be effective.
- Keep your foot above heart level and apply ice.
- To regain ankle or foot joint movements, your doctor may apply physical therapy for a few months. The treatment process is a bit long.
- Many cases benefit from surgery and continue their daily lives with a pain-free life. Full recovery takes between 9-12 days. However, this varies depending on the severity of the treatment and the disease.
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