Arthritis of the Feet and Ankles: What You Need to Know

May is Arthritis Awareness Month which makes it a good time to learn more about this disease. And, as your Westfield podiatric team, we need you to know how it affects your feet and ankles. So, today, we’ll explore this condition, and how you can prevent, manage and treat the symptoms of arthritis.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition characterized by inflammation and swelling; it impacts your cartilage and the lining of your joints, which leads to joint pain and stiffness. There are many different forms of arthritis, with different causes and treatments. All of which may interfere with your foot and ankle health.

What Causes Arthritis of the Feet?

Remember, each of your feet has 33 joints. And there’s no good way to keep weight off those joints, which is why foot arthritis can impact mobility. That’s one of many reasons why early intervention is important.

Sometimes, arthritis is in your genes. But other causes of foot arthritis include:

·       Past foot and ankle injuries

·       Bacterial, viral or fungal infections that reached your joints

·       Colitis or other irritable bowel conditions

Symptoms of Arthritis in Feet

All of these may be symptoms of podiatric arthritis. So come into the office if you notice:

·       Swelling in one or more joints

·       Joint pain or tenderness

·       Joint redness or warmth to the touch

·       Mobility limits

·       Stiffness

·       Rashes, growths and other skin changes

Forms of Arthritis

These are the three most common forms of arthritis seen in our podiatry practice.

Osteoarthritis (OA)
This is most often the result of aging, but can also be caused by past injury. OA symptoms come on gradually, bringing joint pain and inflammation, as well as muscle weakness or deterioration. Age is a risk factor for OA, as is carrying extra weight.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
This chronic inflammatory disease is incurable, but you can manage symptoms and even enter remission. RA is a progressive disease, and often attacks the joints in both your feet and ankles. When that happens, you may experience bone loss and joint deformities.

Gout
Our podiatrist is often the one to diagnose this arthritic condition. That’s because gout symptoms usually begin in your big toe joint. So, when uric acid builds up in your body, that toe become reds, inflamed and too painful to even touch your bed sheets. Gout flares can be managed with diet changes and, in some cases, medication.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Patients have better outcomes with early arthritis diagnoses. That’s because we may be able to delay cartilage damage, but we can’t reverse it. If we suspect you have arthritis of the foot or ankle, we’ll schedule a physical exam or other follow-up tests, depending on your suspected disease form.

Remember, there’s no cure for arthritis. But we can control your inflammation and maintain your current level of joint function. How is that accomplished?

If we diagnose you with arthritis, your treatment may include physical therapy and exercise. We may also recommend a course of medication, starting with over-the-counter options such as aspirin.  MLS Laser Therapy may be an option to reduce pain and inflammation. In some cases, custom orthotics can help you manage mobility problems associated with arthritis of the foot and ankle.

When you come into our office for an arthritis consultation, Dr. David Sullivan will review your current symptoms and discuss your treatment options. Together, we can help minimize the discomfort of podiatric arthritis. And keep managing your disease to let you enjoy your favorite activities!