What is it?
Arthritis of the ankle means the smooth cartilage that lines the joint has worn away. Without this cushioning layer the bones rub together, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling.
What causes it?
- Most ankle arthritis follows a previous injury, such as a broken ankle or repeated sprains, sometimes many years earlier.
- Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, infection or an iron-overload condition (haemochromatosis).
- A foot or ankle that is out of alignment, which overloads one part of the joint.
- Less commonly, general wear with age.
Common symptoms
- Aching pain at the front of the ankle, usually worse with activity.
- Stiffness, especially first thing in the morning or after rest.
- Swelling, and difficulty walking on slopes, uneven ground or stairs.
- A grinding feeling, and in some people a gradual change in the shape of the ankle.
How is it diagnosed?
Your surgeon will ask about your symptoms and past injuries, examine how the ankle moves and how you walk, and arrange X-rays taken while standing. A CT or MRI scan is sometimes used to look at the joint in more detail and plan treatment.
Things you can do now
- Keep active with low-impact exercise such as cycling, swimming or walking on level ground
- Wear supportive shoes with a cushioned or rocker sole, which reduces how much the ankle has to bend
- Use simple pain relief as advised by your pharmacist or GP
- Pace activities through the day rather than doing everything at once
Treatment
Treatment is tailored to your individual needs, symptoms and goals. Depending on your situation, it may include changes to activity and, where relevant, weight management, pain relief or anti-inflammatory medicines, supportive footwear, a rocker-sole shoe or an ankle brace, physiotherapy, a guided steroid injection, keyhole (arthroscopic) surgery to remove bone spurs, ankle fusion and total ankle replacement.
Mr Jeyaseelan will talk you through the options that are right for you at your consultation.
When to see a specialist
- Pain is limiting how far you can walk or affecting your sleep
- The ankle is becoming stiffer, or changing shape
- Non-surgical treatment is no longer controlling your symptoms
What to expect
Arthritis does not usually go away, but many people manage well for years with the right footwear, activity changes and occasional injections. When pain becomes limiting, ankle fusion and ankle replacement both give reliable pain relief.
Common questions
Where can I see a specialist about ankle arthritis in London?
Mr Lucky Jeyaseelan, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon who specialises only in the foot and ankle, sees private and insured patients with ankle arthritis at Align Orthopaedics on Harley Street, The London Clinic on Devonshire Place, HCA London Bridge Hospital, HCA UK at The Shard, HCA UK City of London on Old Broad Street and The Holly Hospital in Buckhurst Hill, Essex. See all clinic locations or request an appointment.
Do I need a GP referral?
Self-funding patients can book directly, though a GP letter is helpful. Most insurers need a GP referral before they authorise your consultation, so check with yours first.
This information is general and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Your diagnosis and treatment plan will be tailored to you.