Why Do Younger People Get Arthritis in Their Ankles?
Posted by: Dr. Marybeth Crane Posted Date: 09/24/2009 Younger patients can experience arthritis in their ankles. There is no age limit, young or old, for this painful disorder. Some people have arthritis caused by a systemic disorder like juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Most have a more traumatic type of arthritis caused by an injury. In the majority of younger patients with ankle arthritis, their arthritis is usually a secondary effect from too many ankle sprains. Most can relate a twisting type of injury which caused a deep cartilage injury that is often called osteochondritis dissicans. This has been seen to occur with no obvious trauma, but most can relate a history of a severe sprain. Over time, the injured cartilage starts to deteriorate, then flake and finally many patients have bone on bone contact which is extremely painful. Osteochondritis often causes significant pain, swelling and stiffness in the ankle. Patients come in several months after experiencing a bad sprain complai
