When you have lasting ankle pain, it can actually be a relief to be diagnosed with arthritis. At least you know why your ankle has been hurting so much and can work towards finding treatments. But what treatments are out there for ankle arthritis? Here are some key things to try.

Diclofenac Sodium

You can purchase diclofenac sodium cream over-the-counter at most pharmacies. The active ingredient, diclofenac sodium, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, similar to ibuprofen. However, it is absorbed through your skin after being rubbed onto the arthritic area, so it delivers more concentrated relief to the areas that are actually sore. Most people get a little relief immediately after applying diclofenac sodium, but the relief continues to build for up to an hour and lasts for several hours. You can apply the cream multiple times per day. 

Diclofenac sodium is great for applying to your arthritic ankle when you know you're going to have to be active. It is less apt to cause digestive upset than oral NSAIDs since you apply it topically, rather than swallowing it.

Weight Loss

Losing a few pounds can take some pressure off your ankles, which will ease your arthritis pain and also help keep the arthritis from worsening. Swimming can be a great exercise to help you lose weight since it's easy on your ankles and other joints. Also, make sure you're following a healthy diet. Track your intake using an online food tracker to ensure you're consuming fewer calories than you are burning. As you start to lose weight and your ankle pain becomes less bothersome, you'll start to find it easier to be active and keep losing more weight.

Ankle Braces

See a podiatrist to have an ankle brace made, or buy an over-the-counter one from a pharmacy. Wear this brace when you're going to be on your feet for more than a few minutes. It will keep your ankle stable so you're not bending the joint as much. This should help ease your arthritis pain and should also make it easier for you to walk since you won't have to think about not bending your ankle as you step.

Ankle arthritis can be quite an annoyance. Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to keep it under control. Eventually, you may need an ankle replacement or similar surgery, but in the meantime, the strategies above can really help. Reach out to a professional for more information about osteoarthritis treatments.