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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.

Overview

Arthritis is common in the small joints of the foot and ankle and is most frequently found in the joint of the big toe and ankle.

In simple terms arthritis is a deterioration of the joint cartilage. This results in bone on bone contact. This causes the joint to swell, ultimately reducing the range of movement.

Arthritis of the foot and ankle will affect the sufferer by making walking difficult. This will affect many daily activities of the sufferer.

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Types of Arthritis

  • 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.

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

Arthritis is common in the small joints of the foot and ankle and is most frequently found in the joint of the big toe and ankle.

In simple terms arthritis is a deterioration of the joint cartilage. This results in bone on bone contact. This causes the joint to swell, ultimately reducing the range of movement.

Arthritis of the foot and ankle will affect the sufferer by making walking difficult. This will affect many daily activities of the sufferer.

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How Firefly Foot & Ankle Clinics can 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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Long term prognosis

Arthritis is a progressive condition and while there are options to reduce and manage pain, there is no cure. Symptoms will continue to progress, however, pain can settle but there will be times when the pain and discomfort increases.