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Arthritis

Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints. Typically a sufferer of the condition will feel pain and stiffness in the affected joints. There are many types of arthritis that can affect the foot or ankle.

SYMPTOMS

  • Pain with motion, walking, running.
  • Pain associated with vigorous activity
  • Pain and tenderness when pressure is applied to the affected area
  • Inflammation of joint, redness of the affected area.
  • Deformity of associated joints.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis occurs following a clinical examination.

X-ray and other methods of internal body scanning allow the type of arthritis to be determined. Blood testing may also offer your doctor which type of arthritis is being suffered.

TREATMENT

Treating arthritis:

  • Perform exercises to maintain mobility of the affected joint.
  • Avoid activity that aggravate the condition [instead of high-impact activities such as running engage in low impact such as swimming or cycling] to reduce the stress on the foot and ankle.
  • Wear suitable fitting footwear
  • Reducing body weight can also ease pressure on the arthritic joints, lessening pain and increasing joint function.  
Foot assessment

HOW CAN FIREFLY FOOT & ANKLE CLINICS HELP?

Firefly's podiatrists can advise:

  • on appropriate footwear
  • advise on exercises
  • Prescribe assistive orthotics such as an Ankle Foot Orthosis [AFO] to help improve mobility.
  • Prescribe custom made orthotics to correct foot position of a deformed foot to reduce pain in the foot or joint.
  • Advise on surgery.

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The major types of arthritis that affect the foot and ankle

  • Osteoarthritis - Common as people reach middle age, although can occur in younger people.  This is typically associated with joint ‘wear-and-tear’ where the cartilage of the joint wears away over time, becoming rough. The protective space around the joint eroded which leave bone to bone [osteophytes] contact.  This painful contact produces bone spurs.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis - This chronic disorder can affect many joints in the body, but commonly beings in the foot and ankle.  Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.  This means the immune system attacks its own tissues. As the condition matures it can cause deformity of the joints. It is not known exactly what causes the condition, it is not hereditary, however, researchers believe the genetic makeup of some people make them more susceptible.
  • Posttraumatic Arthritis - this condition can develop following an injury to the foot or ankle. Injuries effecting joints, such as dislocations and fractures, where the joint surface is damaged are most likely to result in Posttraumatic Arthritis.