What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a blanket term used to describe a group of more than 100 diseases that cause swelling and tenderness in the joints. Each of your feet contains 28 bones and more than 30 joints, making them especially susceptible to arthritis.
Although there’s no cure for arthritis, with arthritic foot care, it’s possible to ease your symptoms and live a healthy, active lifestyle.
Does foot and ankle arthritis present any obvious symptoms?
The symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis vary from person to person and depend on the affected joint. Usually, arthritic joints become swollen and inflamed. Other telltale signs of foot and ankle arthritis include:
- Pain with motion
- Pain that flares up during activity
- Joint tenderness
- Increased pain and swelling after periods of rest
As your foot and ankle arthritis gets worse, you might also experience a limp or trouble placing weight on your affected foot or ankle.
Am I a candidate for arthritic foot care?
If you’ve been diagnosed with foot or ankle arthritis of any type, you’re a good candidate for arthritic foot care. Arthritis is a chronic condition, meaning there’s no way to cure it entirely. However, by working with the trained professionals at the Foot and Ankle Institute of Colorado you can better manage your symptoms and participate in activities you love.
Are there different types of arthritic foot care?
At Foot and Ankle Institute of Colorado, the providers offer several arthritic foot care treatments, including:
Lifestyle changes
Oftentimes, healthy lifestyle changes are enough to ease the uncomfortable symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis. Your podiatrist might recommend losing weight, exercising more regularly, or eating a healthy, more balanced diet.
Medications and other treatments
If lifestyle changes don’t ease the pain caused by foot and ankle arthritis, you might benefit from prescription medications or corticosteroid injections. The team also offers custom orthotics and splints, or they might refer you for physical therapy.
Fusion surgeries
For severe cases of foot and ankle arthritis, surgical intervention may be necessary. At Foot and Ankle Institute of Colorado, the board-certified foot and ankle surgeons regularly perform fusion surgeries to decrease pain and improve mobility.
Request your arthritic foot care appointment at Foot and Ankle Institute of Colorado today by calling the office nearest you or by clicking the online booking tool.
