Four common ankle arthritis symptoms in Grand Rapids, MI

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), about one-third of the adults in Michigan have some form of arthritis. If you’re suffering from ankle arthritis in Grand Rapids, Michigan, you’re not alone. In many cases, ankle arthritis is due to osteoarthritis, which is a condition that tends to get worse over time. Here are four telltale signs of osteoarthritis: 

1.   Ankle pain

When people are diagnosed with ankle arthritis, it means the cartilage that should be cushioning this joint has been worn away. A lack of cartilage can cause the bones in your ankle to rub together, leading to pain. Typically, the pain can be felt in many parts of the ankle, and this symptom is the most common reason people seek treatment for this issue. 

2.   Stiffness

Another common ankle arthritis symptom is stiffness in the ankle joint. Cartilage isn’t just the body’s way of keeping bones from rubbing, this structure also plays a part in joint movement. This means that less cartilage in your ankle can make it harder to move your ankle, and this difficulty can make it harder to walk, stand and do other normal activities. 

3.   Swelling

Swelling is also a common symptom of ankle arthritis, and it’s typically the result of your body trying to help the ankle. One of the natural responses the body has when a joint is arthritic is to send inflammation to the area. This can be helpful for some issues, but with arthritis, the inflammation tends to become chronic and lead to fluid buildup, or swelling, in the ankle. 

4.   Instability

Losing its cushioning, known as cartilage, can also make the ankle unstable, and this can make it harder for people with ankle arthritis to move around. In many cases, people increase this instability without meaning to when they move around less often. This is because the muscles that help support the ankle become weaker when they aren’t used. 

Need help with ankle arthritis symptoms in Grand Rapids, MI?

If you’re dealing with these symptoms in Grand Rapids, you may be wondering if there’s anyone in town that can help treat them. Thanks to the Advent Physical Therapy clinic in Grand Rapids, the answer is yes. 

Our team has helped many people in this area treat arthritis, and we work hard to tailor your treatment plan to your needs. We’re able to personalize our plans because we have many therapy techniques at our disposal, including: 

• Manual therapy
• Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)
• Balance training and fall prevention
• McKenzie method

Come find out how we can help with your arthritis symptoms. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.