A new study out of South Korean adds more evidence to the idea keeping your ankles healthy is important for staying active as you age.
According to researchers, severe ankle arthritis was greatly associated with a drop in physical activity. To get a better idea of how ankle arthritis and physical activity were linked, researchers examined 262 patients with ankle osteoarthritis between June 2022 and October 2024. With the help of weight-bearing X-ray imaging, the team was able to classify the condition into four stages, and they assessed physical activity using an internationally-recognized questionnaire that measured regular walking, moderate-intensity walking and vigorous-intensity walking.
Researchers found that greater radiographic ankle arthritis severity was significantly associated with lower levels of vigorous physical activity and reduced overall physical activity. Perhaps most notably, none of the patients with stage 4 of the condition reported engaging in vigorous physical activity. Additionally, older individuals and those with a higher body mass index (BMI) also exhibited lower levels of activity.
Ankle Arthritis Health Implications
Now, the findings may not be all that surprising on the surface. Someone with significant ankle arthritis and associated symptoms may struggle to be as active as someone with stronger ankles, but it’s not just the ankle that is impacted by this arthritis. Researchers noted that a decline in physical activity caused by ankle arthritis may have implications for systemic metabolic health.
For example, reduced physical activity is associated with a number of different health issues, including an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Conversely, regular exercise has been linked to:
- Improved insulin sensitivity
- Improved blood glucose regulation
- Improved lipid profiles
- Reduced chronic joint inflammation
So not only are patients with ankle arthritis less likely to be active, they may soon find they are at an elevated risk for heart disease or diabetes.
“Patients with advanced ankle osteoarthritis often become unable to stay active because of pain, and the resulting decline in physical activity may negatively affect their overall health,” said Professor Kim Woo-sub, study lead author of Konkuk University Medical Center’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery. “Treatment strategies should focus not only on pain control but also on maintaining and restoring patients’ mobility and activity levels.”
We preach that activity can help keep joints strong, and it’s clear that the inverse is true as well. Strong joints can help keep us active long into the later stages of life, and that can also help to keep us from developing other debilitating health conditions. Keeping your ankles strong can help keep your whole body healthy, so get out there and move!