Your feet and ankles are common areas where arthritis can develop. In fact, there are a number of different types of arthritis that can develop in your feet and ankles. Here’s a closer look at the types of arthritis that can develop, the symptoms they can cause, and how they are best treated.
Types of Foot and Ankle Arthritis
Here’s an explanation of the common types of arthritis that can set in around our feet and ankles.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common problem that begins to develop in middle age. It is considered the standard “wear and tear” type of arthritis. This occurs when cartilage in the joint gradually wears down over time, which leads to a reduction in the space between bones. Eventually, these bones can rub against one another without a cartilage buffer, which leads to pain. Osteoarthritis is commonly caused by normal degeneration over the years and acute injury, but it also has genetic factors.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that can affect multiple joints throughout the body, but if often begins in the foot or ankle. It typically has a symmetrical onset, meaning it often affects the same joint on both sides of the body. It is caused by an autoimmune disease that leads to body to damage its own synovial fluid covers, which aid in joint movement. The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known, although some medical specialists believe it can be triggered by infections, and it likely has some genetic predisposition.
Posttraumatic Arthritis
As the name implies, posttraumatic arthritis is an arthritic condition brought on by an injury to the foot or ankle. Dislocations and foot fractures that damage the joint can lead to the onset of posttraumatic arthritis. Similar to osteoarthritis, posttraumatic arthritis causes the cartilage between the joint to wear down. Severe injury to a joint makes you at a heightened risk for PT arthritis, as an injured joint is about seven times more likely than an uninjured joint to become arthritic, even when treatment goes well.
Symptoms of Ankle and Foot Arthritis
Symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis vary a little based on the type of arthritis you are dealing with, but common symptoms of most types of arthritis include:
- Pain with movement
- Increasing pain during or after athletic activity
- Joint tenderness
- Swelling or redness
- Increased pain and swelling in the morning
- Difficulty walking or inhibited gait
Diagnosing and Treating Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle
The best way to get a handle on your arthritic condition is to get a diagnosis from a foot and ankle specialist. Your doctor will begin with a physical examination to look for swelling and tenderness in the joint, and they’ll also ask you about your symptoms and what activities tend to lead to increased pain. They may also ask about any past foot and ankle injuries you may have suffered.
After they’ve asked some questions and looked at the foot, they’ll likely ask you to perform a gait test so doctors can look for signs of walking problems. Finally, they’ll confirm their suspicions with an x-ray of the joint, or a similar imaging test like an MRI or CT scan. If rheumatoid arthritis is suspected, your doctor may also collect a blood sample to test for certain biomarkers.
Treatment for arthritis varies based on the type of arthritis you are dealing with and the severity of the condition.
Nonsurgical treatment options include – Lifestyle modifications, weight loss, anti-inflammatory medications, targeted physical therapy, assistive devices like a brace or custom orthotics, dietary improvements and footwear changes.
Surgical treatment – Surgery isn’t going to cure you of your arthritis, but it can help slow the progression of the disease and prevent possible deformities caused by arthritic degeneration. Common surgeries include arthroscopic debridement, a fusion operation or a total ankle replacement. Full recovery usually takes between four and nine months, depending on pre-surgical factors.
