What causes foot and ankle arthritis?
Arthritis is a chronic condition that leads to painful inflammation throughout your joints. It can affect just one joint, or it can affect several at a time. While it isn’t always known why some men and women develop arthritis while others don’t, medical experts do find that the following issues could increase your risk:
- A family history of arthritis
- Autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis)
- Foot or ankle injury, including a fracture or dislocation
- A poor diet that includes high intakes of saturated fats, simple carbohydrates, and alcohol
In some cases, you might also have a higher chance of developing arthritis if you’re overweight or obese.
How do I know if I have arthritis?
Undiagnosed joint pain and stiffness are the leading reasons men and women come into Hoosier Foot & Ankle for an arthritis evaluation. You can also usually tell that you have arthritis if you experience:
- Limited range of motion
- Pain that worsens with vigorous activity
- Tenderness over a joint
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Warmth or redness near your joint
In many cases, arthritis pain is worse right after waking up, or after long periods of sitting. Or if you have gout, which is caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals, you may notice intense joint pain and severe inflammation that gets worse at night.
Is there a cure for arthritis?
No. Arthritis is degenerative and continues to worsen. But with early intervention from the team at Hoosier Foot & Ankle, you can decrease arthritis pain and even slow the progression of future issues. Some of the best arthritis treatments and solutions include:
- Avoiding foods that cause inflammation
- Custom orthotic inserts or braces
- Anti-inflammatory medications or cortisone injections
- Physical therapy and range-of-motion exercises
If you still haven’t had improvement after trying these conservative measures, your dedicated podiatrist at Hoosier Foot & Ankle is likely going to talk with you about surgery. Foot and ankle arthritis surgery involves any of the following:
- Removing scar tissue
- Repairing soft tissues or cartilage
- Fusing bones together
- Performing a total joint replacement
Most arthritis surgeries are minimally invasive and performed arthroscopically with only a few incisions. Your surgical team at Hoosier Foot & Ankle cares for you every step of the way and offers extensive postoperative care.
Schedule your arthritis evaluation at Hoosier Foot & Ankle by clicking on the online scheduling feature, or by calling any of the offices.
