Could That Pain In Your Foot Be Arthritis?
You may be familiar with arthritis pain that can plague your fingers, knees, wrists, neck – anywhere there is a joint. Well, that aching pain in your feet that makes it hard for you to walk or exercise may be due to arthritis too.
Arthritis, inflammation of the joint that can cause stiffness and pain anywhere, is very common in the small joints of the foot and ankle.
Arthritis in the Feet
Those joints in your feet most often affected by arthritis include the big toe, midfoot and the ankle.
The major types of arthritis that afflict the foot and ankle are:
Osteoarthritis. This “wear and tear’ arthritis often affects people during or after middle age but can also occur when you are younger. The bones of the joint can rub against each other when the cartilage protecting the bones of the joint wears away. Other risk factors, besides aging, include obesity and family history.
Rheumatoid arthritis. This chronic autoimmune disease often strikes first in the foot and ankle. The immune system attacks the tissue that covers the joint and causes it to damage the bone and cartilage, resulting in joint deformity and even disability.
Gout. A type of arthritis, gout results when uric acid crystals build up in the joints, often in the big toe. Some of the risk factors for gout include high blood pressure, obesity and heavy alcohol intake.
Arthritis due to trauma. An injury to the foot or ankle can cause arthritis, particularly dislocations and fractures that damage the joint surface.
Arthritis Symptoms and Treatments
The arthritic joint will usually be inflamed and painful, although symptoms will vary based on which joint is affected. Look for:
Pain with motion
Tenderness
Difficulty walking
Joint swelling and warmth
If you suspect that you have arthritis in your feet or ankles, please contact Sims & Associates Podiatry. Proper diagnosis and treatment is essential to avoiding long-term issues. We will do x-rays to examine your bones and order other imaging tests if necessary. Blood tests can help pinpoint the type of arthritis you may have. While there is no cure for arthritis, there are many things that we can do to relieve your discomfort. For example, custom-fitted orthotics will help to minimize pressure on the foot and ease pain. Reduce stress on the joint by losing excess weight and switching to lower-impact activities like swimming. Physical therapy exercises can also increase flexibility, range of motion and muscle strength. While anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen can help reduce inflammation. In severe cases, where these conservative measures do not help, we can discuss surgical options. With the right treatment, your arthritis pain can be managed to let you lead an active and healthy life.
