PREVENTING ANKLE ARTHRITIS AFTER A SPRAIN

I sprained my ankle badly about two years ago, and it never healed properly. I think I may have reinjured it several times recently, and now I’m worried about developing arthritis in that joint. Can I take steps to prevent this?

Trauma, such as a severe ankle sprain that doesn’t fully heal, can indeed lead to arthritis. Ankle instability and misalignment from an improperly healed sprain can result in excessive wear and tear on the joint over time, potentially leading to post-traumatic arthritis.

It’s a good idea to address these concerns now. An orthopedic evaluation can be helpful. Your doctor might recommend X-rays to examine the joint spaces and surfaces. This can reveal any narrowing of the joint space, uneven surfaces, or bone spurs, which could indicate the early signs of arthritis.

However, many people with significant arthritic changes may not have symptoms, so while X-rays provide useful information, they are not always definitive.

Your orthopedic surgeon will review your medical history and perform a physical exam to determine the best treatment options. A physiotherapist can play a crucial role in identifying weaknesses and instability in your ankle and developing a rehabilitation program tailored to your needs. Strengthening the muscles around the joint and improving proprioception (your sense of joint position) are key to preventing chronic reinjury.

If there’s extensive ligament damage, surgery might be necessary, but starting with a conservative rehab program is usually the first step, even for severe soft tissue damage.

Reference: Loretta B. Chou, MD, et al. “Osteoarthritis of the Ankle: The Role of Arthroplasty.” Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, May 2008, Vol. 16, No. 5, pp. 249-259.