OSTEONECROSISAND

THE ANKLE JOINT

Julie Norin FoxMay 2006

Costa Mesa, CA

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ABSTRACT

Osteonecrosis (ON) is the destruction (necrosis) of bone tissue (literally dead bone). It is

a not uncommon, often progressive disease, caused by a decrease in the blood flow to a

bone as a result of which the bone is unable to replace the cells that are dying off in the

usual course of events. Because the bone cells cannot be replaced (at least at a fast

enough rate), the bone weakens, degenerates and may crack or collapse. Joint pain is the

primary symptom. It is a chronic pain, usually occurring when standing, walking or

lifting. The pain becomes worse as weight is put on the bones or joints. Other symptoms

include joint stiffness and limitation of motion. ON affects approximately 20,000 new

patients per year in the United States. Typically the patients are between 20 and 50 years

old with the average age in the 30’s.

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CONTENTS

Title page……………………………………………………….page one

Abstract…………………………………………………………page two

Contents………………………………………………………...page three

Anatomical description…………………………………………page four-seven

Case study………………………………………………………page eight

Conditioning program…………………………………………..page nine, ten

Conclusion………………………………………………………page eleven

Bibliography…………………………………………………….page twelve

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ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION

The ankle joint is formed by the connection of three bones. The ankle bone is called the

talus. The top of the talus fits inside a socket that is formed by the lower end of the tibia

(shinbone) and the fibula (the small bone of the lower leg). The bottom of the talus sits on

the heel bone, called the calcaneus. The ankle-joint is a ginglymus, or hinge-joint. The

structures entering into its formation are the lower end of the tibia and its malleolus, the

malleolus of the fibula, and the transverse ligament, which together form a mortise for the

reception of the upper convex surface of the talus and its medial and lateral facets.

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The bones are connected by the following ligaments:

The articular capsule, the deltoid, the anterior talofibular, posterior talofibular, and the

calcaneofibular.

The articular capsule surrounds the joints, and is attached to the borders of the articular

surfaces of the tibia and malleoli. The lateral ligaments of the ankle joint consists of

three parts: the anterior talofibular ligament which passes as a flat band from the tip of

the fibula anteriorly to the lateral talar neck; the calcaneofibular ligament, which is a

cord-like structure directed somewhat posteriorly; and the posterior talofibular ligament,

which runs posteriorly for the fibula to the talus. The medial or deltoid ligament of the

ankle is a strong, fan shaped ligament which supports the medial ankle.

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Osteonecrosis of the left ankle

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CASE STUDY

A 56 year old male with limited range of motion in the ankle joints of both feet. Due to

Osteonecrosis of the Ankle bones he has chronic pain in the joints, tendons, and

surrounding tissues which limits his ability to participate in extended activities required

while standing or walking. The subject recently had arthoscopic surgery on the left ankle

to remove scar tissue. The result was a re-distribution of the angle of the foot and a

tightening of the tendons and ligaments particularly on the medial side of the left ankle.

The tissue surrounding the joints swells after a short time of consistent walking or

standing. The pain can be debilitating and as a result the subject limps favoring his left

foot while externally rotating and inverting it. This is a response to pain and painful

stimuli as the musculature developed a response to adapt or prevent it. An emphasis will

be placed on the left ankle with the exercises in order to gain an equal amount of

flexibility and strength as the right ankle (which is limited in itself). Past physical

therapy included, electro-stimulation, ice therapy, massage, stretching the feet alternating

in a plantarflex/dorsiflex position.

General overall health is good, except for a rare blood disorder called Hereditary

Hemochromotosis in which the subject’s most recent orthopedic surgeon attributes to

causing the Osteonecrosis. Hereditary Hemochromatosis is an inherited, autosomal

recessive disorder of iron metabolism that causes the body to absorb and store an excess

amount of iron resulting in "iron overload" disease. If left untreated, Hereditary

Hemochromatosis can result in the progressive accumulation of iron in the joints, liver,

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pancreas, and heart. For the purpose of this paper I will not address this condition in

depth, as the Osteonecrosis is a presumed manifestation of the Hemochromatosis.

The subject has been extremely limited in his physical activity. His past exercise

program consisted of occasionally playing golf. In order for him to complete 9 or 18

holes he would consume 600 mgs. of ibuprofen which reduces the swelling around the

joints and gives him some relief of pain.

CONDITIONING PROGRAM

The following conditioning program utilizing the Block System from the Body Arts and

Science International approach has been chosen with the goal of increasing and

improving the range of motion in the ankle/foot area and strengthening surrounding

musculature without causing further inflammation or joint damage. We will work the

whole body to gain “core strength” which will develop the musculature to support proper

alignment and as a result will relieve pressure on the joints and bones.

With the left ankle we will focus on stretching the muscles and ligaments on the medial

side of the ankle/foot, such as the deltoid ligament, the tibialis anterior and the tibialis

posterior, while focusing on strengthening the lateral ankle/foot muscles including the

peroneus brevis, peroneus longus, and peroneal retinacula. In both ankles we will stretch

the primary plantar flexors (the gastrocnemius and the soleus) and the primary

dorsiflexors (the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus). The exercises

highlighted to achieve this include: 1.) leg extension with the theraband as the foot

alternates between plantarflex, dorsiflex, lateral, medial, and circular movements. The

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focus with the theraband on the left ankle with the lateral (or eversion) movement will

stretch the medial muscles and tendons while strengthening the lateral muscles;

2.) the full footwork series starting on the reformer and at a later date move on to

footwork on the wunda chair or cadillac; 3.) the jump board on the reformer will be used

in which the subject will not “jump” but alternate between dorsiflex and plantarflex in a

“walking” manner. This will provide stretching and ROM without the added stress of

weight on the ankle joints.

The following exercises will be in the overall program to balance the body and establish

“core strength.” We begin the session with a warm up and do the pelvic curl, spine twist

supine, chest lift, and chest lift with rotation on the mat; next will be the footwork as

mentioned above; abdominal work, such as the hundred prep, hundred, and coordination

on the reformer; hip work, such as leg up circles, down circles, and frog on the reformer;

spinal articulation, such as bottom lift on the reformer; stretches, including standing lunge

and kneeling lunge on the reformer; arm work, such as arm work supine on the reformer;

additional leg work on the mat including forward with drops, hip extension bent knee,

and hip abduction bent knee; lateral flexion, such as mermaid on the reformer and/or side

lift on the step barrel; finally, the breast stroke prep on the reformer and/or prone 1 on the

cadillac to strengthen the back extensors. The program will begin with an introduction to

the subject of the above-mentioned process and will advance to the next level when

appropriate.

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CONCLUSION

Although there is no cure for Osteonecrosis, the program outlined can help alleviate the

subject’s pain in his ankles. Non-surgical treatments in addition to the conditioning

program are orthodics and ankle braces. Surgical alternatives include, 1.) core

decompression bone grafts designed to remove the inner layer of the bone and thus

increase blood flow to the bone and blood vessels in the bone; 2.) ankle fusion with

extensive bone grafting; 3.) total replacement with artificial parts (which historically has

not been very successful). Finally, as Joseph Pilates emphasized, the “whole” must be

exercised to achieve good health. The client must commit to the program and engage his

“mind” in the effort for success. A key issue in coaching this client is to keep him

motivated and inspire him to believe in the end result which will be less pain and more

range of motion in the ankles. Additionally, with the overall workout of the program he

will be able to have a more active, full life and, ultimately, what we all yearn for, total

well being.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

National Organization of Rare Disorders, Osteonecrosis, Jay R. Lieberman, MD, Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine of UCLACopyright 1990, 1992, 1995, 2003

Body Arts and Science International Study Guide, Comprehensive Course 2000-2004, Rael Isacowitz, MA, Founder and Director

National Osteonecrosis Foundation and The Center for Osteonecrosis Research and Education

Dr. Glenn B. Pfeffer, MD, Director, Foot and Ankle Center, Cedars Sinai Medical Center

Anatomy of Movement, Blandine Calais-Germain, 1993 by Eastland Press, Inc.

Web MD Health Guide

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