[Click! Health] If You Neglect Easily Sprained Ankles... "Causes Ankle Osteoarthritis"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The theory that a small flap of a butterfly's wings can create a variable that grows and causes a whirlwind in another region is called the "butterfly effect." The butterfly effect can also apply to our bodies. For example, if you once twisted your ankle while walking and the injury is left untreated, it could later lead to ankle arthritis.

Experts explain that if an ankle sprain is not properly treated and is left untreated, it can develop into chronic instability. The weakened ligaments can sprain again, damaging the cartilage and eventually resulting in ankle arthritis. Park Ui-hyun, director of Yonsei Geonwoo Hospital, said, "The ankle is a 'silent joint.' After an ankle sprain, you should not assume it has healed just because walking is not difficult. Rehabilitation therapy is necessary to properly restore ankle ligament function to prevent progression to other diseases."

Ankle sprains and ankle arthritis are problems of different dimensions. Cartilage has a property that it does not regenerate, and arthritis is a disease caused by the wearing away of this cartilage. The thickness of ankle cartilage is about 1 mm, which is very thin, so once damaged, the progression is rapid. If there is persistent pain and swelling in the ankle, tenderness when pressed with a finger, and reduced range of motion in the ankle joint, cartilage damage should be suspected.

When the cartilage is irreversibly damaged, artificial joint surgery is required. For arthritis stages 1 to 3, the patient's own joint can be preserved, and if the cartilage damage is mild, rehabilitation therapy is performed. If the cartilage damage is severe, cartilage regeneration surgery is performed. A representative treatment is microfracture surgery, which uses an endoscope to stimulate the bone marrow beneath the torn cartilage to release bone marrow stem cells, promoting cartilage regeneration. Although simple, the surgery has a success rate of 70-80%, and the regenerated cartilage is weaker than the original cartilage, which is a limitation.

In cases where the condition is poor, osteotomy may need to be performed concurrently. Director Park said, "When arthritis reaches about stage 3, surgery is required to correct the alignment of the distorted joint, shift the weight-bearing position to prevent cartilage wear, and create a crack in the bone to adjust and fix the angle." He advised, "The later the treatment, the more difficult and burdensome the surgery becomes, so it is wise to consult with a specialist at a hospital about treatment methods rather than just taking medication and enduring the pain."