Some of the different treatments for arthritis in the ankle include modifying activity levels, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and injecting cortisone into the injured area. If the arthritis cannot be controlled by non-invasive treatments, then surgery may be required. Arthroscopic surgery can sometimes be effective at reducing pain in less advanced cases of arthritis, but in more severe cases the ankle may need to be fused or replaced.
Simple or less invasive treatments for arthritis in the ankle are usually attempted first because these can be effective at reducing pain to a manageable level. Adding more cushioning to a shoe, for example, can reduce the stress through the joint. A brace may also be recommended; a brace helps to keep the ankle joint in a stable position and prevents it from moving too much while walking. If the patient can avoid high-impact activities, this may often reduce pain levels; some patients may be unwilling to modify their lifestyle, however.
During the early stages of arthritis, NSAIDs can be effective at reducing pain. These cannot be used as a long-term treatment for arthritis in the ankle, however, because there are a number of potential negative side effects associated with the drugs. Cortisone, which is a steroid, is also often infected into the joint and can make a temporary difference to pain levels. Even though cortisone can have a positive effect on swelling within the joint, the injections cannot be performed at regular intervals.
If there is only a small amount of arthritis in the ankle, an arthroscopy can sometimes be performed. This is a minimally invasive type of surgery and often involves removing any small areas of bone which have grown and are causing pain. If there is a large amount of damage to cartilage in the ankle, this type of surgery will usually not be effective.
There are several other types of surgery for arthritis in the ankle. These are more invasive than an arthroscopy, but can have a greater effect on severe arthritis. Ankle fusion is one of the most commonly used; this procedure involves removing the part of the joint that is causing pain before fusing the bones together. In some cases, ankle replacement surgery may be recommended; in this procedure the joint is completely replaced. Both types of surgery are still being refined because there is some controversy about how effective they are for arthritis in the ankle.