Cartilage lesions
The ankle is a joint composed of three bones: the tibia, fibula and talus. The lower parts of the tibia and fibula articulate to form the “ankle mortise”, a structure that contains the talus and ensures the joint's stability and mobility. Articular cartilage lesions refer to injuries affecting the cartilage covering the articular surfaces of the ankle, including those of the tibia, fibula and talus. These injuries are generally classified according to their location (e.g. talus, tibia, fibula), size, shape, depth, number of sites affected and severity of the condition (four-level classification). Cartilage damage in weight-bearing joints (e.g. knee, hip, ankle), often under constant stress, unfortunately has a limited intrinsic healing capacity, making it difficult to manage if not diagnosed and treated at an early stage. These injuries are generally caused by direct trauma, either a single high-energy impact, or progressive, repeated impacts on the articular surface. Symptoms vary widely from individual to individual, ranging from no symptoms at all to severe pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, possible joint locking (due to structures interfering with joint movement, such as floating bodies) and reduced function.
Conservative treatment should be the first line of defence, because although rehabilitation cannot alter the natural course of the disease or repair damaged structures, it can alleviate symptoms by acting on the factors that trigger the pathology. The aim of non-surgical management is to slow the progression of the condition and limit symptoms through a multitude of interventions such as rehabilitation, the use of medication, injections and so on. In our opinion, while medication can limit symptoms in the short term, improving your mobility, strength and quality of movement offers a better chance of positive long-term results. Therefore, we recommend a holistic approach including progressive rehabilitation under the supervision of a physician. At Foxphysio, after a consultation with one of our specialized doctors, and based on your diagnosis (including specific injury classification, location, etc.), you will receive a treatment plan tailored to your condition. You will begin your training program with our medical team to limit your symptoms by increasing your mobility in the pool and gym, improving your strength in our gymnasium, optimizing the quality of your movements in the movement analysis room, and resuming your sporting activities.