Ankle Joint Treatment in Germany

The ankle joint — is a complex articulation that carries a heavy load. The ankle bears body weight, participates in flexion, extension, turning the foot inward and outward. The joint is subject to wear due to improper back position, muscle imbalance in the body, its condition is worsened by injuries and metabolic disorders. German clinics successfully treat many ankle joint pathologies, including:

• arthritis, arthrosis;
• hallux valgus foot deformity;
• cartilage and tendon injuries;
• ligament instability.

Treatment of ankle joint pathologies in Germany is performed using minimally invasive methods with innovative technologies.

Symptoms of ankle joint pathologies. In the early stages of ankle joint diseases, pain is practically not felt because there are no nerve endings or blood vessels in the cartilage. Symptoms of the problem become noticeable when the joint is already severely damaged. Joint diseases manifest themselves with:

• pain that occurs after rest and decreases when the person starts moving;
• swelling combined with pain and limited joint mobility after physical activity;
• pain during walking, running, other activities;
• frequent ankle twisting;
• gait changes (the person tries to walk without bending the foot);
• crunching in the joint.

If at the beginning of the pathological process pain is felt only after physical activity, at later stages it is present constantly.

Diagnosis of ankle joint pathologies in Germany. When pain, limited mobility or swelling of the ankle joint appears, it is necessary to consult an orthopedist or traumatologist. After a thorough examination and medical history collection, the specialist prescribes diagnostics:

• radiography;
• ultrasound scanning;
• joint tomography.

Diagnostics allows assessing the degree of cartilage, bone structures, and ligament integrity disruption. Based on examination data, doctors determine the most effective treatment methods.

Minimally Invasive Ankle Treatment Methods in Germany

 German clinics use minimally invasive methods for ankle joint treatment. They are performed under video control by high-class surgeons. Low-traumatic treatment technologies allow patients to move normally soon after intervention and reduce the recovery period.

Ankle Arthroscopy

The operation involves removal of bone and cartilage fragments, excision of scar tissue, removal of osteophytes. During the intervention, the doctor makes incisions up to 5 mm long on the front or back surface of the ankle joint.

Ankle arthroscopy is used:

• for ligament diseases and injuries for their suturing, fixation, replacement;
• for impingement syndrome treatment;
• for cartilage transplantation, to obtain dense tissue on the cartilage surface (microfracturing) for injuries, beginning damage.

The operation is performed under video control (video camera installed on the arthroscope transmits the image to the monitor in the operating room) in several stages:

• Using special instruments, the surgeon collects cartilage cells from a healthy joint area.
• They are cultivated in laboratory conditions for 1.5-2 months.
• During the second arthroscopic intervention, the grown cells are implanted into the affected cartilage area.

After arthroscopy with cartilage cell implantation, the limb must remain immobile for up to 6 weeks.

The arthroscopic cartilage restoration method has age restrictions and is used only for certain types of ankle joint defects.

Joint Replacement

Progressive arthrosis — is a condition for which ankle joint replacement is indicated. The operation allows preserving foot mobility and moving normally, engaging in sports for many years. The surgical technique depends on the specifics of the pathological process and arthrosis localization.

At the end of the operation, the leg is fixed with a special "boot" so that it is immobile. The duration of stay in the clinic after joint replacement is 8 to 10 days.

The rehabilitation period lasts from 1.5 to 2 months. During this time, the limb is released from the fixator and load is applied to the leg. The operated person can return to normal physical activity within 3-6 months.

Ankle joint replacement is prescribed only if the patient has no contraindications to surgery.

For ligament instability, severe joint deformity, arthrodesis is recommended. This technique involves fixing the ankle in a permanent, immobile position. The operation is used only in extreme cases, recovery after it lasts up to 5 months.