Arthritis

What types of arthritis affect the feet and ankles?

Many types of arthritis can affect the joints in your body, but in the lower body, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are especially common.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It causes the cartilage (the padding material between the bones) to break down over time. Osteoarthritis often affects the ankle, big toe, and the midfoot. It can affect just one side of the body, for example, it may appear in one ankle but not the other.

Many people develop osteoarthritis as they age, and it’s quite common in people over 60. You can also develop post-traumatic arthritis, a type of osteoarthritis, after an injury that doesn’t heal properly.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that destroys the inner lining of your joints and also some of the connecting tissues. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis isn’t known.

This type of arthritis usually affects the smaller joints and commonly occurs in symmetrical fashion (appearing in matching joints on either side of your body). It frequently appears in the midfoot and toes but can affect any joints.

Other types of arthritis, including gout, may also affect the feet and ankles. 

What are the symptoms of arthritis in the feet and ankles?

While these osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are different, they share many symptoms. Common issues include: 

• Pain
• Tenderness
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Fluid retention around the affected joint

Many people with arthritis develop bunions and hammertoes. Rheumatoid arthritis can also change your foot shape and flatten your arches (flat feet).

How is arthritis of the feet and ankles treated?

The treatment for arthritis in the feet and ankles depends upon the form of the disease, its stage, and how it affects your daily activities. Most people can manage their arthritis with the help of nonsurgical treatments such as:

• Activity modifications
• Foot orthotics
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) 
• Bracing
• Walker or cane
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections

For late-stage arthritis that doesn’t improve with conservative approaches, the Advanced Care Foot and Ankle team may recommend a surgical procedure such as arthroscopy to clean the joint out, joint fusion to prevent the joint bones from rubbing together, or ankle joint replacement. 

You can manage foot and ankle arthritis and live without constant pain with the expert guidance of the Advanced Care Foot and Ankle team. To learn more about their innovative approach to personalized arthritis care, call the office nearest to you or click the provided link to schedule online now.