Question
I experience pain in my heels when walking and in my ankles during excessive activity. After examination, I was diagnosed with osteochondrosis dissecans. I would like to know how it should be treated?
Answer
Osteochondrosis dissecans is a local deformative osteoarthritis that commonly leads to swelling and pain in the ankle and knee joints, impacting mobility. Currently, there is no cure or method to stop the progression of the disease, but pain and inflammation can be reduced through medication. For individuals with noticeable joint deformities, surgery may be an option. In the initial stages of treatment, patients may experience weakness in the limbs and abnormal skin sensations. For those with severely limited joint mobility, the removal of excessive bone spurs may help improve function. For joints with genu varum or genu valgum deformities, osteotomy can be performed to correct the deformity. Since this condition often involves bilateral or multiple inflammatory sites, joint fusion surgery is not recommended. Additionally, patients can assist in their treatment by adjusting their diet, such as increasing the intake of pork liver.