Ankle Osteoarthritis

Ankle osteoarthritis is broadly classified into primary (aging/repetitive loading) and secondary (post-traumatic) types. Individuals who have previously experienced ankle fractures or ligament ruptures are at a high risk of secondary osteoarthritis because misaligned joints concentrate abnormal pressure on the cartilage. Cartilage cells lack blood vessels, resulting in slow regeneration; upon accumulated damage, the process progresses from fibrosis to sclerosis to the formation of osteophytes. In Korean medicine, ankle joint degeneration is explained as a complex pathology involving weakened bones and joints due to weakened kidney energy, as well as the invasion of wind, cold, and dampness into the joint. When the energy nourishing bones and joints declines, cartilage and bones weaken; conversely, a decline in the energy governing tendons and ligaments leads to a loss of elasticity in these organs. Furthermore, if harmful external energy invades along the meridians surrounding the ankle, stagnation of Qi and blood intensifies, leading to recurring pain and swelling. At Dongjedang, we separate adhered joint capsules and ligaments using needle acupuncture, create a local anti-inflammatory environment with pharmacopuncture and bee venom acupuncture, and combine this with internal herbal medicine to correct the state of weakened kidney energy. While it is difficult to reverse cartilage loss itself, our goal is to break the vicious cycle of pain and functional decline by restoring the flow of Qi and blood and reinforcing organ function.