Relief from Foot and Ankle Arthritis

What You Need To Know About Arthritis

Understanding how arthritis affects your feet and ankles and what treatment options are available.

Understanding Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle

Arthritis is an umbrella term for several chronic conditions that lead to swelling and inflammation of cartilage and lining components within your joints. It is a chronic, degenerative condition that causes pain, stiffness, and inflammation, and it is one of the most common causes of foot and ankle pain, affecting approximately 53 million Americans.

While you can develop arthritis anywhere in your body, having it in your feet, toes, and ankles is common due to regular wear and tear. Each of your feet contains 28 bones and more than 30 joints that allow you to run, jump, pivot, and change directions, which also makes them susceptible to damage, swelling, and immobility.

If you have arthritis in your toes, feet, or ankles, you will likely notice joint pain. You may also experience swelling or tenderness, redness over the joint, decreased range of motion, and difficulty bearing weight. If you have gout, you may feel severe stabbing pain in your big toe joint, although gout pain can affect your ankle, too.

Before putting together your treatment plan, your podiatrist at Desert Foot and Ankle performs a thorough examination and may request digital X-ray imaging to see what is happening inside your joints. The doctor may also order lab testing to check for inflammatory markers or signs of infection. If joint pain is limiting your daily activities, we encourage you to schedule an evaluation so we can identify the cause and begin the right treatment for you.

Types of Arthritis and Treatment Options

Desert Foot and Ankle diagnoses and treats three main types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, occurs when your cartilage begins to deteriorate, causing your bones to rub against one another and leading to inflammation, stiffness, and discomfort. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes your body’s immune system to attack the synovium, a sheath of tissue that covers and supports your joints. Posttraumatic arthritis results from an accident or injury to your foot or ankle, and you are seven times more likely to develop it after such an injury.

We also treat gout, a type of arthritis defined by excess uric acid that usually affects your feet and toes. Risk factors include a family history of arthritis, poor diet or obesity, bacterial or viral infections, related inflammatory conditions such as colitis, autoimmune disease, and certain prescription medications.

Treatment depends on the type and severity of your symptoms. We use conservative, noninvasive measures whenever possible, including physical therapy, exercise, and prescription medications. You may need custom orthotic inserts, anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, or supportive braces. For gout, medications can help control uric acid levels and minimize pain.

In severe cases, surgery may be necessary. Arthritis surgery involves removing damaged tissue or cartilage and, if needed, replacing a severely damaged joint with a prosthetic. With the right treatment plan, we will work with you to reduce inflammation, preserve joint function, and help you return to your favorite activities.