Symptoms of Foot and Ankle Arthritis
If you are suffering from arthritis in the foot or ankle, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Stiffness or swelling
- Pain when moving your foot or ankle
- Warmth or redness in the joint
- Pain after resting
- Difficult walking
Causes of Arthritis
Often arthritis can happen due to aging or genetics. Other causes may include:
- Previous injury
- Autoimmune disease
- Obesity
- Overuse
What Types of Arthritis May Affect the Feet?
The most common type of arthritis that will affect the foot and ankle is osteoarthritis. Foot and ankle pain may also be caused by rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic arthritis.
Conservative Treatment for Foot Arthritis
Treatment for your foot arthritis will depend on the type of arthritis you have and your symptoms. There is no cure for arthritis, but there are many treatments that can be done to reduce pain and inflammation in the joint. A foot doctor may recommend the following treatments:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Weight loss
- Daily exercise
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Activity modification
- Hot and cold therapy
- Wearing a brace
- Wearing a shoe inserts or orthopedic shoes
Surgical Treatment for Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle
If your pain is not relieved with conservative treatment, your foot doctor may recommend surgery. The type of surgery will depend on the location of the arthritis. If you think you may need surgery for foot and ankle arthritis, seek help from a foot specialist near you.
Tips to Relieve Foot Arthritis Pain
- Wear comfortable shoes- Talk to a foot doctor about orthopedic shoes or inserts. Avoid wearing shoes that are too narrow or too small.
- Exercise often- Exercising is a great way to relieve pain and stiffness in the joints. Aim for low-impact activities such as walking, biking, swimming, yoga, and more!
- Wear shoes when you can- Going barefoot can create more foot pain for people with arthritis. When you are walking around the house, try to wear an orthopedic slipper or shoe.
- Lose weight- When you walk, the pressure from your body is being put on your feet. Losing weight can help to take some of this pressure off and reduce arthritic pain.
- Change your diet- Avoid food and drink that causes inflammation when you can. Things like fried foods, alcohol, foods high in sugar and artificial sweeteners, and highly processed foods can all cause inflammation. Try to limit your consumption of these foods and other foods that you may notice trigger your arthritis.
Seek Help from a Foot and Ankle Doctor Near You
If you are suffering from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis of the foot and ankle, seek help from an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the foot and ankle. At Elite Sports Medicine + Orthopedics, our foot and ankle surgeons’ treatment patients in Nashville, Franklin, and Brentwood, TN. To schedule an appointment with on of our orthopedic surgeons, call us or request an appointment by filling out our online form.
Author: AMWN Dev
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