| Younger patients can experience arthritis in their | | | | ankle sprain; an MRI is indicated to rule out a cartilage |
| ankles. There is no age limit, young or old, for this | | | | injury of the talar dome. This MRI can evaluate the |
| painful disorder. Some people have arthritis caused by | | | | cartilage of the talar dome for obvious flaps and for |
| a systemic disorder like juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | subchondral injury to the underlying bone. A chip |
| Most have a more traumatic type of arthritis caused | | | | fracture can be quite painful and feel like a clicking |
| by an injury. | | | | every time you move your ankle. |
| In the majority of younger patients with ankle arthritis, | | | | Conservative therapy for osteochondritis includes |
| their arthritis is usually a secondary effect from too | | | | bracing, physical therapy, anti-inflammatories and rest. |
| many ankle sprains. Most can relate a twisting type of | | | | Many people do well with just conservative therapy |
| injury which caused a deep cartilage injury that is often | | | | and maintain their joints by working on their |
| called osteochondritis dissicans. This has been seen to | | | | proprioception and strength. |
| occur with no obvious trauma, but most can relate a | | | | Unfortunately, surgical intervention of ankle arthroscopy |
| history of a severe sprain. Over time, the injured | | | | is often needed to remove the cartilage fragments |
| cartilage starts to deteriorate, then flake and finally | | | | and place tiny drill holes in the deficit to encourage the |
| many patients have bone on bone contact which is | | | | formation of fibrocartilage or scar tissue. Severe |
| extremely painful. | | | | defects may require cartilage grafting. |
| Osteochondritis often causes significant pain, swelling | | | | So, for all you young sports stars out there: |
| and stiffness in the ankle. Patients come in several | | | | Remember that ignoring multiple ankle sprains and |
| months after experiencing a bad sprain complaining of | | | | ankle instability is usually a prescription for long term |
| continued popping, instability, stiffness and pain. Some | | | | arthritis. Osteochondiritis leads to good old fashion |
| complain of severe discomfort, but most relate a | | | | osteoarthritis. Arthritis pain can be treated with |
| chronic annoying ache. | | | | anti-inflammatories, bracing, and in severe cases; an |
| Ankle sprains should not be ignored, because many | | | | ankle fusion of joint replacement. In the end, most |
| lead to chronic instability and eventual arthritis. A | | | | people wish they had consulted their doctor for their |
| physical examination by your podiatrist is usually | | | | ankle sprains early on and avoided long term arthritic |
| followed by x-rays. If plain film x-rays are negative, and | | | | pain. |
| you have had pain for more than 2 months from an | | | | |