In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in a joint becomes thinner or less smooth. Cartilage ensures that bones move smoothly against one another. If the cartilage changes, the joint can become painful and stiff.

In the upper ankle joint, osteoarthritis can cause the ankle to bend less freely. This alters the way you roll your foot as you walk.

Osteoarthritis of the ankle often develops because the ankle joint becomes damaged or is subjected to excessive strain. This can make movement less fluid and cause symptoms to gradually worsen.

Possible causes include:

a previous ankle sprain;
a fracture or injury to the ankle;
long-term strain;
an abnormal position of the foot or ankle;
age;
extra strain on the joints, for example due to being overweight.

The symptoms often vary. Sometimes things improve for a while and then get worse again.

You may notice that:

the ankle is stiff when getting up;
walking or climbing stairs is painful;
the ankle does not move upwards quite as well;
the ankle may become swollen or warm after exertion;
otherwise you’ll end up walking;
walking long distances or standing for long periods becomes more difficult.

A healthy lifestyle can help to reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis in the ankle. It is important to keep exercising regularly. Exercise keeps muscles stronger and helps to keep the joint as flexible as possible.

It is also important that the level of physical activity is appropriate for what your ankle can cope with. Too much physical activity can exacerbate symptoms, but too little exercise can cause muscles to weaken, making movement more difficult. A good balance between exercise, daily physical activity and rest is therefore important.

A healthy body weight can reduce the pressure on the ankle. Getting enough sleep and allowing the body to recover also help you to cope better with pain and strain.

Mental health also plays a part. Long-term pain can affect energy levels, sleep, mood and confidence in physical activity. Our lifestyle coaches can help with exercise, nutrition, recovery and mental balance.

Our lifestyle coaches can help with exercise, nutrition, recovery and mental balance. Our occupational therapists can offer support when everyday activities become difficult. When chronic symptoms cause a great deal of stress, low mood or uncertainty, our psychologists to provide support in coping with the mental effects of long-term pain.

There is a lot you can do yourself to keep your ankle as strong as possible. Take care not to put too much strain on your ankle.

To reduce symptoms, you can:

keep exercising regularly within your limits;
alternating prolonged exertion with rest;
wear shoes with support and a good roll-off;
adjust your activities if pain or swelling increases;
to increase muscle strength in the ankle and leg;
Please contact us if pain, swelling or loss of mobility increases rapidly.

Our podiatrists We assess your foot position, ankle movement and gait. We look at how the pressure on the ankle joint can be reduced and how your gait can be improved.

Treatment may consist of:

shoe advice;
podiatric insoles;
advice on a shoe with good roll-off;
a temporary increase in the fee where appropriate;
advice on stress and recovery;
collaboration with a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.

Osteoarthritis does not go away, but with the right support, pain and strain can often be reduced.

What do you think of our website?

Osteoarthritis of the upper ankle joint

Was this information helpful?

Work on your health with the Rondom app

Find a healthcare provider near you