Like any health condition, arthritis is best managed if it is caught at an early stage when treatment techniques offer a greater chance at symptom mitigation or relief. However, since arthritis isn’t always obvious to spot in its infancy, we thought it would be helpful so discuss some of the early warning signs of arthritis on our blog. Below, we share what signs and symptoms you should look for that may suggest you’re dealing with the early stages of foot arthritis.
Early Symptoms Of Foot Arthritis
There are a number of different forms of arthritis that can affect your foot, but some of the most common are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and gout. Here’s a look at some of the more common early indications that you may be dealing with one of these forms of arthritis in your foot.
Mild Pain And Discomfort – The most common early warning sign of arthritis of the foot, toe or ankle is pain. It may not be intense, but this discomfort can linger. The longer your ignore it this pain, the worse it tends to get. Don’t ignore mild pain because you’re strong enough to power through it. Recognize it for what it may be – arthritis.
Redness And Warmth – If your toe joints become warm or reddened, it may be the result of chronic inflammation in the joints caused by arthritic degeneration.
Stiffness – Joint stiffness is also an early warning sign of arthritis. Stiffness may indicate a breakdown of healthy cartilage that helps to facilitate joint movement.
Swelling – If your foot or toe joints are swollen, it could be a sign of a number of different conditions, including early stage arthritis.
Visible Deformity – One final symptom to be on the lookout for is a visible deformity of the foot or toes. That may sound obvious, but these changes won’t happen over night, and if they are not accompanied by pain, some people may assume that they aren’t a problem. You can be sure that if left unaddressed, pain and potentially a more severe deformity can follow.
If you spot any of these early warning signs of arthritis, it would be in your best interest to connect with a foot and ankle specialist like Dr. Silverman. He’ll be able to conduct an foot exam, provide a diagnosis and set you up with a treatment plan for your individual needs. Arthritis can’t really be reversed, but progression can be slowed or even stopped, so don’t ignore subtle signs of an issue. Talk to a foot specialist and put an end to your foot discomfort. For more information, give Dr. Silverman and his team a call today at (952) 224-8500.
