Numerous alternative treatments are offered for ankle osteoarthritis. According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, osteoarthritis, or OA, also known as degenerative joint disease, is characterized by cartilage loss in one or more joints. In the lower extremity, some of the most commonly affected joints include the big toe, midfoot and ankle. Alternative therapies for ankle OA emphasize pain reduction, along with proper joint alignment and cartilage care.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture may be an effective alternative treatment for OA, including ankle OA. According to the Mayo Clinic website, acupuncture is a common complementary and alternative treatment that has shown some promise for treating OA. Acupuncturists insert tiny needles into the skin at precise points to help release or redirect the body's energy and reduce pain. While most clinical trials for acupuncture and OA have focused on knee OA, Dr. Nathan Wei, a physician, the clinical director of the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland, and the author of over 500 publications, states that the findings for knee OA and acupuncture seem to be applicable to ankle OA. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine—a division of the National Institutes of Health—acupuncture helps alleviate pain and improve function in people with knee OA and is an effective complement to standard allopathic treatment of OA.
Postural and Flexibility Exercises
Postural and flexibility exercises, such as tai chi and yoga, may be helpful for treating ankle OA. According to a 2004 review article by Chenchen Wang, M.D., and colleagues published in the journal "Archives of Internal Medicine," participation in tai chi produces the following health benefits: improved balance and strength, increased cardiovascular and respiratory function, increased flexibility, a stronger immune system, enhanced muscular strength, elevated mood, and decreased arthritis symptoms. The researchers conclude that tai chi appears to promote health in older patients with chronic conditions, such as OA. A 2004 article by Nirmala N. Nayak, M.D., and Kamala Shankar, M.D., published in the journal "Physical Medicine and Rehabilitative Clinics of North America," notes that the combination of stretching and strengthening activities is important in treating OA, and that because yoga postures incorporate both stretching and strengthening, it may be an effective alternative treatment for OA.
Diet Supplementation
Diet supplementation may be an effective alternative treatment for ankle OA. According to the Mayo Clinic website, the following substances may help reduce OA-related pain or slow the rate of cartilage loss in the joints: ginger, glucosamine sulfate and avocado-soybean unsaponifiables or ASUs. The Mayo Clinic website notes that while the ginger plant is best known for its use in cooking, some research suggests that it may also be helpful in decreasing OA-related pain and that a person with OA who is contemplating ginger consumption as a therapeutic measure should talk with her physician first, especially if she's taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin. A 2001 study by J.Y. Reginster and colleagues published in the journal "Lancet" concludes that the long-term structure- and symptom-modifying effects of glucosamine sulfate indicate that it could alter the progression of OA. The Mayo Clinic website notes that ASUs—a type of oil produced from the mixture of avocado and soybeans—may reduce the rate of cartilage destruction in people with OA, and may even promote the repair of joint cartilage.
References
- American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons: Osteoarthritis of the Foot and Ankle
- Mayo Clinic: Osteoarthritis
- Arthritis Treatment and Relief: Acupuncture Arthritis Knee Ankle Pain
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Acupuncture for Osteoarthritis
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; The Effect of Tai Chi; Chenchen Wang, M.D., et al.; March 2004
