Relief for Arthritis of the Foot & Ankle

What You Need to Know

Understanding arthritis of the foot and ankle and how we help you manage it.

Understanding Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle

Arthritis is inflammation of a joint and is very common in the small joints of the ankle and foot, especially in the big toe and midfoot. It is one of the most common causes of foot and ankle pain, affecting approximately 53 million Americans.

Each of your feet contains 28 bones and more than 30 joints that allow you to run, jump, pivot, and change directions. Degenerative arthritis slowly wears away these joints. In the beginning, you may notice that the affected joint seems stiff. It may even ache. As the joint lining (cartilage) breaks down, the bones rub against each other, causing pain and swelling. Over time, bone spurs develop, and the joint’s range of motion becomes limited.

Common symptoms include pain with motion, tenderness, joint swelling, joint warmth, and difficulty walking. When arthritis affects your big toe, your foot hurts when it pushes off the ground. When arthritis affects the rear or midfoot joints, you feel pain when you put weight on your foot.

Many factors play a role in the cause for arthritic feet, including obesity, the aging process, family history, and genetic connections to arthritis. Injury also plays a significant role. If you dislocate or fracture your ankle, the cartilage between your joints begins to wear away.

To learn the cause of your joint problem, your doctor asks about your medical history and examines your feet for skin changes and swelling. You may have an X-ray or MRI to check the condition of a joint. For an official diagnosis and information on treatment options, consult with a podiatrist and schedule an appointment today.

Types of Arthritis and Treatment Options

Several types of arthritis can affect the foot and ankle. Osteoarthritis, or wear-and-tear arthritis, occurs when your cartilage begins to deteriorate, causing your bones to rub against one another. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the tissue covering the joint, often resulting in joint deformity and disability. Gout is caused by a build-up of uric acid crystals, most often in the big toe. Psoriatic arthritis causes sausage-like swelling in the toes, and ankylosing spondylitis can lead to plantar fasciitis and pain at the Achilles tendon. Arthritis can also result from trauma such as fractures and dislocations.

There is no cure for arthritis, but once we have confirmed our diagnosis we can help you manage your arthritis to relieve your discomfort. Our providers use conservative, noninvasive measures of care whenever possible. Custom-fitted orthotics can ease pain and minimize pressure on the foot. Reducing excess weight relieves joint stress, and low-impact exercise like swimming or biking helps protect your joints. Physical therapy can increase range of motion, flexibility, and muscle strength, while anti-inflammatory medication helps relieve inflammation.

If conservative measures do not provide adequate relief, surgical intervention may be necessary. Your doctor may shave away bone spurs, fuse the joint to prevent the bones from rubbing, or replace the joint with a prosthetic. Talk with your doctor about developing a treatment plan to meet your needs and help you return to the activities you love.