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Arthritis In Ankle And Foot

Arthritis in the foot or ankle can disrupt many daily activities. Leaving your symptoms unchecked can make problems worse and even lead to a more severe condition. 

If you are looking to relieve pain from foot and ankle arthritis, make an appointment with our specialists at Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center today! We serve our patients throughout the Greater Columbus area.

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Conditions We Treat

Do I Need Surgery?

Visiting an orthopedic surgeon doesn’t mean that surgery is necessary. Our orthopedic doctors always prefer to use non-surgical procedures to treat injuries.

What Our Patients Say

“Always treated like a person, not a number. Treated with courtesy and respect. I drive 3hrs to be there. I arrive early and never have to wait long. Employees are very pleasant and knowledgable. The doctors are well educated and concerned about your problems, treatment, and recovery. Would recommend Ortho Foot & Ankle to anyone. There’s no better in my opinion.” — Rodney B.

What Is Foot and Ankle Arthritis?

Foot and ankle arthritis is a chronic condition that causes long-term damage to the joints of the feet and ankles. It is usually caused by joint deformities or degenerative changes that occur over time due to age, lifestyle choices, or physical injury.

Symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis may include pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty in movement. Treatment options can vary depending on the type of arthritis but may include medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease-modifying agents.

Patients with foot and ankle arthritis should seek medical advice if they experience any of these symptoms so that an appropriate treatment plan can be developed to manage their condition.

Woman with foot and ankle arthritis in pain.

Types of Arthritis in Foot and Ankle

A doctor treating ankle arthritis in Columbus.

There are several types of arthritis that can affect the joint in the foot and ankle. The following list contains some of the types of arthritis that can be found in the foot or ankle:

  1. Osteoarthritis: This is known as degenerative joint disease because it develops over many years into your old age. The most common joints it will affect are the three joints involving your heel bone, inner mid-foot bone, and outer mid-foot bone. It may also affect the joint in your big toe and your ankle joint with your shin bone.
  2. Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is a type of inflammatory arthritis. It is an autoimmune disease where your body’s immune system attacks the healthy cells in your joint, causing permanent damage. You will usually have joint pain on both sides of your body.
  3. Psoriatic Arthritis: This is another autoimmune disease. It is related to the disease called psoriasis. It can happen in any of your joints, particularly your ankles and toes.
  4. Septic Arthritis: This refers to an infection in the joint fluid or tissue. It can happen to any joint in the foot or ankle.
  5. Gout: This condition is caused by a buildup of uric acid. Your big toe is most likely to get gout as it’s the furthest joint away from your heart.
  6. Reactive Arthritis: This is caused by an infection in another part of your body, including your intestines or urinary tract. The infection causes a type of arthritis that can affect your ankles and feet.
  7. Ankylosing Spondylitis: This condition is an inflammatory disease that causes bones to fuse together. This condition is more commonly known to affect the spine, but in some cases, it can also affect the heel bone.
  8. Post-Traumatic Arthritis: This condition can develop after an injury, such as a fracture or dislocation.

Symptoms of Foot and Ankle Arthritis

Many of the symptoms of arthritis that can affect the foot or ankle are shared in common. The following lists some common foot and ankle arthritis symptoms:

  • Tenderness in the joint
  • Pain during movement
  • Difficulties walking or with weight bearing
  • Joint swelling or warmth
  • Joint stiffness
  • Increase in pain and swelling after resting

How to Diagnose Foot and Ankle Arthritis

Diagnosis of arthritis of the foot and ankle often requires a thorough physical examination by a medical professional.

This can include palpation to locate areas of tenderness or swelling and range of motion testing to evaluate joint stability. It is also essential for medical professionals to assess any gait abnormalities that could be associated with underlying arthritis.

Imaging tests such as X-rays can be used to detect bone damage and bone spurs, which are often an indication of bone wear. In some cases, additional tests, such as MRI scans, may be necessary to further evaluate the severity of the arthritic joint.

A comprehensive medical history and review of previous treatments will help the medical professional to appropriately diagnose the condition and create an effective treatment plan.

How We Treat Foot and Ankle Arthritis

At Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center, we try to use non-surgical treatments first to reduce pain and relieve symptoms. Our non-surgical treatment options for foot and ankle arthritis include the following:

If non-surgical treatments do not provide pain relief or you have severe arthritis, surgical treatments may be recommended. The following surgical treatments are available at Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center:

Get Help for Your Arthritis Pain Today

If you are looking for effective foot or ankle arthritis treatment options, make an appointment with our highly-trained specialists at Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center. We have multiple offices located throughout the Columbus, OH area. Contact us today to get the quality care you’re looking for!

Medically Reviewed by: Roberto A. Brandão, DPM, FACFAS

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