“Can I exercise with ankle arthritis?”
I have ankle arthritis. Can I exercise with ankle arthritis?
5 Answers
Yes, you can exercise with ankle arthritis, but it's important to choose low-impact activities that don't put too much strain on your joints. Basically exercises that take gravity partially out of the equation so you’re not stressing your ankle and it will slowly improve. Biking would be an example, if available activities like swimming and gentle yoga can help maintain joint function and reduce pain. Always consult with your healthcare provider to tailor exercises to your specific needs and ensure they are safe for you.
Exercise with arthritis is possible, depending on severity of the arthritis. I would avoid high impact activity, such as running or a treadmill. I recommend you be evaluated by a foot and ankle surgeon (podiatrist) to determine extent of arthritis and appropriate exercise to undertake.
You can exercise with any arthritis, but you will likely experience pain after exercise or the next day when the joints cool down again. But the only limitation on what you do with arthritis are the restrictions you put on yourself.
For the most part, the answer is yes. If the arthritis is mild to moderate, there should be enough motion in the joints to exercise. The bottom line is how much pain is there when you're exercising? The pain will limit your exercise. In severe arthritis, the pain and the limited motion may prevent you from exercising.
Arthritis is a permanent condition. Certain exercises can be better than others. The more active the joint is the worst the arthritic condition can get over time. Jonathan M. Kletz, DPM Texas Foot WorksDallas, Athens and Gun Barrel City Texas214-340-8885
