For the vast amount of patients coping with arthritis, the joints in the feet are often affected by pain related to the disease.
“There are more than 100 forms of arthritis, many of which affect the foot and ankle. All types can make it difficult to walk and perform activities you enjoy,” says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Common types of arthritis that affect the feet include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, posttraumatic arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Symptoms vary in severity and location on the foot.
Symptoms of Arthritis in Foot
The pain associated with arthritis is due to inflammation in the joints which in turn, causes stiffness and may limit the range of motion in affected areas of the body, including the feet.
Common arthritis symptoms in the feet include:
- Swelling of the feet
- Aching feet
- Pain around the joints, which increases with activity
- Stiffness
- Difficulty walking
- Tenderness and redness around joints
- Joints are warm to the touch
Foot pain due to arthritis may be felt in different areas of the feet depending on what type of arthritis is present.
For example, “Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) that connects your big toe to your foot, although it’s also often found in the midfoot and ankle.” says CreakyJoints, contrasting it with rheumatoid arthritis which “usually appears in both feet and affects the same joints in each foot.”
Based on where you feel pain, your podiatrist can help diagnose what type of foot arthritis you may be suffering from.
Causes of Foot Arthritis
While some forms of arthritis are related to injury and wear and tear, the specific cause of other types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis remains unknown.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, risk factors for arthritis include:
- Obesity
- Infection
- Joint injuries
- Occupation
- Smoking
- Age
- Gender
- Genetics
While some of the above risk factors of arthritis are out of control of the patient, such as age and genetics, other factors, such as smoking, weight, and occupation are potentially modifiable through lifestyle changes that can decrease the risk of suffering from arthritis.
Treatments for Arthritis in the Feet
Since each patient is different and there is a wide range of types of arthritis that can affect the feet, there is not one uniform treatment for everyone.
Start by visiting your podiatrist for a foot exam and recommendations on what type of foot arthritis treatment may be right for you.
“Arthritis treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and improving joint function. You may need to try several different treatments, or combinations of treatments, before you determine what works best for you,” says Mayo Clinic.
Arthritis treatments for feet include:
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Low-impact exercises
- Heat and ice
- Orthotics (shoe inserts) and braces
- Weight loss
In some cases, where the above non-invasive treatment methods have not successfully provided relief from foot arthritis pain, surgical procedures, such as bone fusion may be the next step.
Fresno, CA Foot Doctor
Here at Canyon Oaks Foot & Ankle, we are fully prepared to help you professionally manage your foot arthritis. With conservative treatment methods and a compassionate approach, our goal is to help you enjoy your day without foot pain.
Contact us to set up a foot exam and get started on treatment for your foot arthritis.
