Facts about Foot Arthritis
October 29, 2009
There are over 100 types of arthritis and they target different areas of the body. Some forms of arthritis can affect a person’s hands or knees while other forms can target a person’s feet.
People who suffer from foot arthritis tend to experience pain and/or swelling in the joints of their ankles and feet. This can make it hard for a person to walk. If you think that you have foot arthritis, then the sooner you learn about it the sooner you can begin treatment.
There are several primary symptoms that will let you know if you have foot arthritis. The final diagnosis will be based on the specific joints that are affected.
People with foot arthritis will experience tenderness in the problem area. They may experience pain, stiffness or swelling in the ankle or foot joints. This can make it hard for a person to be mobile.
What the Doctor Says
As soon as you experience any of these symptoms, you should make an appointment to visit your doctor so that he can diagnose you. Before your doctor starts you on any form of treatment, your doctor will examine your entire body.
Be sure to talk to your doctor about the type of pain you are experiencing, when the pain began, where the pain is most intense and if you have injured the joint ever. This will help your doctor determine which joints are affected.
Your doctor may perform additional tests to help him determine the source of the problem. Such tests include a gait analysis. During this type of test a person will be asked to walk while the doctor monitors the alignment of the patient’s bones in his legs and feet. Other tests that can help determine which bones are affected are x-rays and MRIs which review the bones.
After your doctor has determined which bones and joints are affected, he will outline a treatment plan. Depending on the severity of the case, your doctor will suggest either non-surgical or surgical treatment.
Your doctor will prescribe medication to ease the pain, swelling and inflammation. You may need to wear support inserts in your shoes to help reduce the amount of stress placed on your joints.
Other forms of treatment may include wearing orthopedic shoes, using a cane to help you walk, wearing a brace or participating in physical therapy. As a last resort your doctor may suggest having surgery performed.
There are three different types of surgery performed on people with foot arthritis. They are arthrodesis which fuses the joints, arthroplasty which replaces the joint or arthroscopic debridement.
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