This fact sheet has been written is for people with ankle pain, due to osteoarthritis (OA). It has general information about ankle pain and 

what can be done to help. It also tells you where to find further information.

This sheet is not for people with ankle pain from ankle sprain, osteoporosis or other causes.

The ankle joint is made up of the upper and lower part of the ankle. The upper part  raises and lowers the foot and the lower part turns it in and out.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the ankle is a condition that affects the entire joint. It encompasses bone, cartilage, ligaments, and muscles. Osteoarthritis was once thought of as 'wear and tear’. But it is now believed to be the result of a joint's efforts to heal. In many cases, osteoarthritis of the ankle is caused by an earlier trauma or accident , like after a bone fracture.

Excess weight can contribute to or worsen osteoarthritis in the ankle. 

The bones that connect the ankle joint are lined with articular cartilage, which helps the joint move smoothly. When the joint is damaged and tries to heal, the joint capsule (called the synovium) thickens and produce more fluid than usual., This can cause swelling, pain and stiffness. Sometimes, extra bone, called osteophytes can form at the edge of the joint. These bony growths can restrict movement or rub against other tissues.

What are the symptoms of ankle osteoarthritis?

Common symptoms of Osteoarthritis in the ankle are:

• pain – sometimes from weight bearing activities such as walking or running.

• minor swelling – may come and go

• stiffness – especially in the morning

   

Should I see a doctor or health professional?

You should talk to your doctor, podiatrist or health professional if your pain or other symptoms are bothering you. They will ask about your symptoms and examine you. X-rays are not usually helpful in finding out the cause of ankle pain unless you have had an injury or strain. Your doctor may check for any serious medical problems that could be causing your pain, but these are uncommon. 

What can I do for ankle osteoarthritis?

• Talk to your healthcare team. It is common to worry about the cause of your pain and how it will affect you. Talking to your doctor, podiatrist or another health professional about your worries can be helpful. You will usually find there is no serious cause and there are ways you can deal with it.

   

• Learn about ankle pain and play an active role in your treatment. Not all information you read or hear about is trustworthy. So always talk to your doctor or healthcare team about treatments you are thinking about trying. Reliable sources of further information are listed in the section below. Self-management courses can  help you develop skills to be actively involved in your healthcare. Contact your local Arthritis Office for details of these courses. 

   

  - Choose shoes that have a low and wide heel and give you firm support. Do not use sandals, slippers, and open shoes. 

   

  - You might choose to wear insoles, foot orthoses or ankle braces. A podiatrist can give you expert advice about insoles and shoes.

   

  - Walk slower and on even ground where possible. 

   

• Maintain a healthy weight. Extra body weight affects the ankle joint. If you are overweight, you may find losing weight helpful. Every kilogram you lose will take weight off your ankle, reduce your symptoms and improve function. 

   

• Learn ways to manage pain. Talk to your healthcare team about ways to ease your pain, including:

   

  - Heat and cold: Applying heat, such as a hot pack (microwaveable wheat pack), heating pad or hot water bottle. This can help to ease still and painful joints. If you joints are hot and swollen you find it useful to apply an ice pack. Try applying heat or cold to the painful area for 15 minutes. Always have a layer (such as a tea towel) between your skin and heat or ice pack. You can repeat this whenever you need to throughout the day. To prevent damage, make sure the temperature of your skin returns to normal in between applying heat or ice packs. 

   

  - Ankle support: Wearing an ankle sleeve or brace can reduce swelling and pain. You can buy these at a pharmacist. If you are unsure which type to buy, consult a podiatrist or other health care professional. 

   

  - Creams: Applying creams or ointments to the skin in the affected area may help control pain. Creams containing anti-inflammatory medicines or capsaicin (an ingredient in cayenne and chili peppers) may be useful for ankle arthritis. However, this is yet to be scientifically proven. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about these types of creams. 

   

  - Glucosamine and chondroitin: It is unclear if glucosamine or chondroitin are useful for feet affected by arthritis. See the Complementary Medicines fact sheet for more information. 

   

  - Fish oils: fish oils may be useful for some forms of arthritis. 

   

  - Herbal therapies: There is no conclusive proof that herbal medicines are effective. However, see the Complementary Medicines fact sheet for more information. 

   

• Acknowledge your feelings and seek support. It is natural to feel scared, frustrated, sad and sometimes angry when you have pain. Be aware of these feelings and get help if necessary. You can learn skills to recognise and calm anxiety or strong emotions if these feelings affect your daily life. See the Awareness of thoughts & emotions treatment.

   

  Your healthcare team can give you more advice about whether any of these or other treatments could help you.

   

Other resources

State and Territory Arthritis Offices

Your local Arthritis Office can provide further information to assist you and will have a range of education and support activities. Click here to find your local office: https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/contact-us/

Websites

The Australian Podiatry Association: https://www.podiatry.org.au/find-a-podiatrist

Podcasts

Foot osteoarthritis with Hylton Menz: https://shows.acast.com/joint-action/episodes/foot-osteoarthritis

Independent Living Centres (ILCs)

These centres provide information about products and services to help people remain independent and improve their quality of life. They are located in each capital city. See www.ilcaustralia.org.au or call the National ILC Infoline on 1300 885 886 to find your closest centre and more information. (In Queensland, the Independent Living Centre is called LifeTec).