Arthritis Specialist

How does arthritis affect the feet and ankles?

Because you have so many bones and joints in your feet and ankles, arthritis can settle in as you get older after years of wear-and-tear. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of wear-and-tear arthritis, and it affects nearly half of all Americans in their 60s and 70s. Osteoarthritis in your feet and ankles typically affects the following areas:

• The joints in the big toe
• The joints in the ankle
• The heel
• Inner and outer foot bones

Pain and symptoms often occur gradually and get worse over time, especially without treatment. Arthritis can become a debilitating condition that diminishes your quality of life as you get older. Arthritis can hinder your ability to move around easily, and you can become dependent on pain medications.

In addition to osteoarthritis, you may also get arthritis in your feet from an injury to your ankle, such as a ruptured Achilles tendon or a broken bone. If your injury wasn’t properly treated when it occurred, arthritis can settle into that area. For other men and women, having rheumatoid arthritis — a chronic inflammatory condition brought on by an autoimmune disorder — can cause pain and other symptoms in your feet and ankles.

What are the symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis?

If you have arthritis in your feet or ankles, you’ll typically experience symptoms, such as:

• Pain and swelling around the affected joint
• Tenderness or warmth to the touch
• Stiffness in the joint
• Reduced mobility in the joint

Your experienced podiatrist at Wake Forest Foot and Ankle will examine your feet and may take X-rays to determine the type of arthritis you have and how severely it’s affecting your joint.

How does a podiatrist treat arthritis in the feet and ankles?

Since there is no cure for arthritis, the goal of treatment is to reduce pain and inflammation and slow the progression of the disease. At Wake Forest Foot and Ankle, the highly skilled team uses state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment methods, so you can be sure you’re getting the latest, most effective therapies for your particular type of arthritis. Your customized treatment plan may first include a combination of conservative treatments, such as lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, and medications.

If your arthritis causes disability and doesn’t respond to conservative treatments, your doctor may recommend surgery. Before undergoing any type of treatment, the team at Wake Forest Foot and Ankle will explain your condition and all of the available treatments, so you can make an informed decision on how to proceed.

If arthritis pain is affecting your quality of life, book an appointment online or over the phone with Wake Forest Foot and Ankle today.