Foot and Ankle Arthritis
Helping your arthritis pain through our advanced facilities so you can enjoy your vacations and active lifestyle.
Foot and Ankle Arthritis:
Know It to Treat It
If you have been diagnosed with foot or ankle arthritis, it can help to know that you are not alone. Approximately 1% of the US population, in fact, suffers from it, with the majority of people developing it during their senior years.
This happens because, as we age, our cartilage gradually deteriorates. It’s not surprising, then that almost 20% of over-65 experience some degree of degenerative changes in their feet and ankle joints.
Arthritis of the feet and ankles, though, is not only associated with osteoarthritis – the type of arthritis that occurs later in life – but it can also be connected to rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that, at present, has no cure – although its symptoms can and should be managed effectively. This condition causes bone loss and, in more severe cases, joint deformities.
Gout, on the other hand, is a type of arthritis that starts developing from the joint of the big toes. Due to the buildup of uric acid in the body, your big toe becomes red, swollen, inflamed and incredibly painful. Luckily, this condition can be treated with simple changes in your diet as well as by incorporating certain medications.
What Are the Causes of Arthritis of the Feet and Ankles?
We have already briefly touched on some of the main causes of foot and ankle arthritis, but let’s take a closer look at them on our list below:
- Age: older people have a bigger tendency to develop some form of arthritis
- Weight: people who carry extra weight may be more prone to developing foot and ankle arthritis
- Genetics: in some people who are otherwise fit and healthy, genetics are to blame when it comes to foot and ankle arthritis
- Past injury: even a seemingly minor foot or ankle injury that happened years before can escalate and develop into some form of arthritis
- Infections (fungal, viral, or bacterial) that reached your joints
- Colitis or other gut-related conditions
Spot the Symptoms of Foot and Ankle Arthritis
If you notice any of the symptoms below, you might be suffering from foot and ankle arthritis. Make sure that you contact us today to help you diagnose your condition and prepare a customized treatment plan for you.
- One or more of your joints are swollen
- You feel pain or tenderness in your joints
- Your joints are red and feel warm to the touch
- Your mobility is impacted, and your movement feel stiff
- You have a rash, growth, or other skin change on your feet and ankles
The Best Treatments for Foot and Ankle Arthritis
As with most other health conditions, early intervention is key if you want to treat your foot and ankle arthritis effectively.
If you are currently experiencing any of the symptoms that we have listed in the previous section, don’t wait until tomorrow – call us today and let us help!
Our first step will be to schedule a consultation with you to assess your situation and diagnose your problem.
Once we have established that you have foot and ankle arthritis, we will be able to put together a comprehensive, effective, and fully customized treatment plan.
This may include one of these elements, or a combination of several:
- Physical therapy and targeted exercise
- A course of medication (both over the counter and prescription)
- Custom orthotics
- MLS Laser Therapy: this is an incredibly effective, painless, and non-invasive technique that reduces most of the symptoms – including pain – associated with foot and ankle arthritis
- Aquaroll Therapy: during this treatment, you will submerge your affected foot in warm water which has been filled with 30,000 glass beads. The Aquaroll system will then start rotating, as the glass beads provide a vibratory and compressive effect that stimulates the blood flow in your feet and ankles.
Take a Step Towards Better Foot and Ankle Health!
If you want to restore health and mobility to your feet and ankles, contact us to book your appointment with our podiatry team today. We will be able to assess the type and severity of your arthritis and recommend a customized treatment plan for you!