| If you have arthritis in your ankle that means you've | | | | the 1950s, the technique really started making |
| worn out the joint between your tibia (shin) and your | | | | headway in Western Europe in the 1980s and has |
| ankle bone, also known as the tibiotalar joint. Arthritis | | | | made its way "west" ever since. |
| in the ankle isn't as common as it its in other joints, | | | | If you undergo the Ilizarov Technique, an external |
| but it is very painful. A previous ankle injury may | | | | frame ("fixator") will be placed across your ankle |
| have contributed to your arthritis. If you've | | | | joint. The Ilizarov frame supports your foot, ankle |
| rheumatoid arthritis it, too, can contribute or lead to | | | | and tibia with tensioned wires, akin to the technique |
| arthritis in your ankle. | | | | of wires supporting a suspension bridge. |
| If you're diagnosed with arthritis in your ankle, your | | | | The Ilizarov frame allows you to bear your full |
| podiatrist or other health care provider may | | | | weight on the leg so that you'll be able to pretty |
| recommend inserts for your shoes. These help | | | | much resume your life as before while your joints |
| cushion and your support your foot. Your podiatrist | | | | heal, which is a very good thing since you'll be |
| also probably will tell you to ease up on high impact | | | | wearing the frame for about three months. Your |
| activities such as running, dancing, basketball and | | | | ankle will immobilized the wires, so it may be |
| similar sports. | | | | necessary to wear a rocker sole shoe while you're |
| Your podiatrist may recommend that you undergo | | | | going through the treatment. |
| arthroscopic surgery if you ankle arthritis is limited | | | | The frame works by opening up (distracting) your |
| and if small bone spurs have arisen around your ankle | | | | ankle joint. You'll visit the surgeon periodically so that |
| joint. The surgeon will "shave" the bone spur during | | | | he or she may put more tension on the frame so |
| arthroscopic surgery in order to help improve the | | | | that your soft tissue will be stretched incrementally, |
| motion in your ankle joint. | | | | thus opening your joint and alleviating your arthritis. |
| A very effective surgery to relieve ankle arthritis | | | | The frame is kept in place by wires that cross your |
| that's more extensive is known as "ankle distraction," | | | | tibia and your heel bone. Your surgeon often will |
| in which the surgeon places pins in your leg and foot | | | | combine the frame placement with an arthroscopic |
| to "distract" (pull apart) your joint's surfaces, giving | | | | debridement of your ankle joint. |
| them a chance to heal. Many if not most patients | | | | If you have ankle arthritis and want to find out if |
| who undergo this surgery report that their pain | | | | you are a good candidate for this procedure. You |
| subsides considerably over time. Foot/ankle function | | | | need to find a surgeon with experience in this field. |
| also improves. | | | | These procedures are complicated and surgeons who |
| A common ankle distraction procedure is known as | | | | have done this type of procedures are the best |
| the Ilizarov Technique. Named for the Siberian | | | | source for consultations. |
| orthopedic surgeon who invented the procedure in | | | | |