Ankle arthritis

[Tennessee Viking]

After having a aching ankle, I finally was able to see a orthopedist. After looking at my MRI and Xrays, he gave me the diagnosis of mild arthritis, cyst, additional bone growth, and swelling. But other than that, I have a fairly healthy ankle.

He said pretty much get wider shoes, ankle brace, & firm foot supports, which I already did. Then pretty much use ice and advil when it flares up.
Other than that, he said to keep hiking when I can, but I will need to get used to the supports & brace, and eventually in time the arthritis & everything will go done.

Any other things I can do to help keep an arthritic ankle from flaring up and keep it heathy?

[DapperD]

After having a aching ankle, I finally was able to see a orthopedist. After looking at my MRI and Xrays, he gave me the diagnosis of mild arthritis, cyst, additional bone growth, and swelling. But other than that, I have a fairly healthy ankle.

He said pretty much get wider shoes, ankle brace, & firm foot supports, which I already did. Then pretty much use ice and advil when it flares up.
Other than that, he said to keep hiking when I can, but I will need to get used to the supports & brace, and eventually in time the arthritis & everything will go done.

Any other things I can do to help keep an arthritic ankle from flaring up and keep it heathy?Try to take it easy. A lot of times an injury like this can be classified as originating from "repetitive stress", or simply put, overdoing it over a period of time. Rest and or a change of terrain, shoes/boots, hiking duration, even diet could all have a recuperative effect and help you recover. Sometimes unfortunately the damage is done, and one can only hope to have an injury that will become less severe and restrictive, such is the case a lot of the times with people who develop planter fiscitis in the heel.

[garlic08]

What kind of arthritis? Sounds like osteo-. My wife has rheumatoid, and it's been in remission for about 20 years, we think mainly because of staying very active. Her story is an inspiration. After spending a summer on crutches, diagnosed with crippling arthritis, she goes out and buys a new pair of hiking shoes, hit the trails, did an AT thru, and a PCT thru. Sorry, don't know about osteo-.

[jlb2012]

glucosamine sulfate has helped me quite a bit with some mild arthritis - it takes several weeks to show definite improvement but it works for me - I take 1000 mg/day

[Tennessee Viking]

glucosamine sulfate has helped me quite a bit with some mild arthritis - it takes several weeks to show definite improvement but it works for me - I take 1000 mg/dayI just got some after hearing it does some great improvement in joints and muscles.

[TnSlowPoke]

My Doctor talked with me about this just last week, everything that was said in this thred is what he tould me. He also gave me a prescripton for 50mg of TRAMADOL and they are great. He will renew it for me when I leave on April 15,2009 for a little hike from Kingsport,Tn to Pa by way of the AT.

[Tinker]

You've pretty much got it, besides adding some glucosamine and chondroitin to your diet.
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation
(R.I.C.E.) plus Ibuprofin
Elevation is often overlooked to minimize swelling. Using a water bag rather (or in addition to) a bottle will enable you to use cold water from streams and lakes to "ice" your sore ankle.
Do you use trekking poles? They will definitely help if you use them correctly.

[Nearly Normal]

I have to more careful on late fall and winter hikes. The leaves covering the trail mask lose rocks, nuts and roots. Wearing supportive boots help me.
The roots can be a problem any season. Poles take off some of the pressure on an uneven step.

[Blissful]

Glad they got it figured out - and glad you can hike!

[Tennessee Viking]

Glad they got it figured out - and glad you can hike!
The urgent care doctor first told me to get firm orthodics and wider shoes. It helped at first, but the pain returned.

Then I get the great news of Arthritis...at 30 of all things. I must be getting older. lol

But I just have to get used to everything now.

[mkmangold]

The urgent care doctor first told me to get firm orthodics and wider shoes. It helped at first, but the pain returned.
Then I get the great news of Arthritis...at 30 of all things. I must be getting older. lol
But I just have to get used to everything now.

Did you ever fracture it when you were younger? A fracture in youth is a sure route to arthritis (osteoarthritis) as an adult.
Also, are you sure it's osteoarthritis? Have you had an "Arthritis Panel" drawn?
I am attracted to Flector Patches (diclofenac) which would be inappropriate for an ankle, and to Voltaren (diclofenac) Gel, both of which put the anti-inflammatory pain medicine right on the part of the body that needs it. I fractured my right wrist during a toboggan accident when I was in 7th grade and now have arthritis in it (which affects my ability to play catch with my sons :(). These two meds work great for pain.

[Tennessee Viking]

Did you ever fracture it when you were younger? A fracture in youth is a sure route to arthritis (osteoarthritis) as an adult.
Also, are you sure it's osteoarthritis? Have you had an "Arthritis Panel" drawn?
I am attracted to Flector Patches (diclofenac) which would be inappropriate for an ankle, and to Voltaren (diclofenac) Gel, both of which put the anti-inflammatory pain medicine right on the part of the body that needs it. I fractured my right wrist during a toboggan accident when I was in 7th grade and now have arthritis in it (which affects my ability to play catch with my sons :(). These two meds work great for pain.
I just had a large area grease burn on my ankle (1st & 2nd degree) in 2003. Had whirlpool therapy and skin graf at the time. But no fracture. The MRI showed an arthritic front joint. If the pain gets constant and unbareable, I can get the joint fused. But orthopedic said to try to live with it before trying surgery.

[Surplusman]

These are some things that I do or follow to stave off osteoarthritis. They may work for you. They certainly worked for me. First of all, I take glucosamine/chondroitin according to the following schedule by bodyweight: less than 120 lbs, 1000 mg glucosamine/800 mg chondroitin; 120-200 lbs,1500 mg glucosamine/1200 mg chondroitin; 200 lbs & over, 2000 mg glucosamine/1600 mg chondroitin. Divide your dosage in half (cut the tabs in two with a scissors) and take 1/2 in the a.m. and 1/2 in the pm. After about 2 months or when you begin to feel better, cut your total daily dosage in half and keep to the am/pm schedule.

The other thing is get a copy of Pavel Tsatsouline's book Super Joints off of Amazon (Used copies are usually for sale and quite cheaply). I also use a wobble board for ankle exercises daily. You can buy them for big bucks or make one out of 1" plywood with a softball or hardball mounted underneath. As with all exercises, if all you can manage is one rep in the beginning, no problem. Keep at it and progress will come.
You'll never be totally pain free, to be honest, but you can regain a lot of mobility and you won't have to rely on stuff like Aleve, &c. all the time.

Best of luck!

[ColdFire]

Try Naproxen it works great and plenty of rest of course.

[Blue Jay]

The other thing is get a copy of Pavel Tsatsouline's book Super Joints off of Amazon (Used copies are usually for sale and quite cheaply). I also use a wobble board for ankle exercises daily. You can buy them for big bucks or make one out of 1" plywood with a softball or hardball mounted underneath. As with all exercises, if all you can manage is one rep in the beginning, no problem. Keep at it and progress will come.

This is very good advice. Also when you get back on your feet try some type of light nonstep aerbics classes. Most exercise we get hiking, running, bicycling is good for forward ankle motions but does almost nothing for side to side. In all cases try not to take pain killers during exercise as the pain exists to keep you from doing damage.