Foot & Ankle Arthritis

What is foot and ankle arthritis?

Arthritis is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in one or more of the joints in your foot and ankle. This persistent inflammation can result in stiffness and pain in the affected joint, which can worsen over time and interfere with your ability to stay active.

While there are over 100 different types of arthritis, the three most common affecting the foot and ankle are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis:

Osteoarthritis

A degenerative disease caused by the wear and tear of the cartilage that surrounds and protects your bones. The loss of cartilage results in bones rubbing together, causing pain and increasing risk factors for painful bone spurs and other damage.

Rheumatoid arthritis

This condition develops due to autoimmune dysfunction that causes your immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissues. As a result of damaged bone and cartilage in the foot and ankle, joint deformities are common, increasing the risk of disability.

Post-traumatic arthritis

This type of arthritis may develop after an injury, such as a fracture or dislocation, that occurs in your foot or ankle. Much like osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis leads to the gradual wearing down of the protective cartilage that prevents bones from rubbing together.

Arthritis is more common as you get older, but other risk factors for developing arthritis include a family history of the condition and being overweight.

What are the symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis?

Depending on which joints in your foot or ankle are affected, you can experience persistent pain with movement.

Other common symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis include:

• Swelling
• Redness
• Tenderness
• Difficulties walking

In some cases, untreated arthritis can lead to permanent disability.

What treatments are available for foot and ankle arthritis?

There’s no cure for arthritis, but Dr. Hunter can recommend nonsurgical treatments to ease your pain and increase your foot and ankle functionality. Initially, you may need to make changes to your diet and exercise routine to maintain a healthy weight.

If you engage in high-impact activities, you may need to switch to something less stressful on your feet and ankles.

To address arthritic pain, Dr. Hunter may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications and the use of a foot and ankle brace to reduce pressure on the affected joints.

As a last resort, Dr. Hunter may suggest surgery to repair or replace the damaged joints and prevent disability.

If you’re experiencing persistent pain in your ankle or foot, schedule an arthritis evaluation at Hunter Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC online or by phone today.