Foot and Ankle Arthritis: Symptoms and Treatment Options
Arthritis in the foot and ankle can become debilitating. Pain keeps you from being as active as you would like. Foot pain treatment for arthritis is available to help you regain your mobility. Treatment includes non-surgical methods, but severe cases occasionally require surgery. Here is more on arthritis in the feet and ankles:
Symptoms of Foot and Ankle Arthritis
Arthritis of the foot and ankle can have several symptoms. One common symptom is dull pain around the joints of the feet and toes. You may notice pain after sleeping in bed all night or after periods of activity, such as going for a long walk. Both activity and inactivity can cause arthritis pain.
Swelling is also common with arthritis, especially around the affected joints. Patients often lose range of motion in the feet from the condition. Arthritis causes inflammation, which leads to joint tenderness. As the arthritis progresses, it breaks down the cartilage in the joints. This sometimes results in a clicking sound as you walk. Arthritis impacts your ability to walk and bear weight. To avoid further damage, seek care with Horizon Foot & Ankle Institute, where our doctors will create a personalized treatment plan to get you back the quality of life you deserve.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Our Horizon Foot & Ankle Institute team will perform a medical exam and determine if non-surgical foot pain treatment options will help achieve your healing goals. Physical therapy is one option that can alleviate foot and ankle arthritis pain and restore mobility. It does this by strengthening surrounding muscles and increasing the range of motion.
Our doctors may recommend pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medication to help alleviate pain and swelling. Sometimes, limiting activity temporarily provides relief as it allows the inflammation to go down. Wearing compression garments reduces swelling and is another treatment option.
If common pain medications don’t alleviate the pain, the doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections. These injections aren’t a permanent solution, but help to reduce your discomfort for a period of time. Our team will discuss the available options and provide a customized treatment plan. We will create a plan that is most likely to provide improvement and help you regain mobility.
Surgical Treatment
If non-surgical treatments aren’t effective, surgery may be necessary to relieve arthritis pain. Our doctors will discuss all available options and help you make informed decisions about how to proceed. Surgical treatments for arthritis in the foot and ankle include implants for worn-out cartilage, ankle fusion, and ankle joint replacement.
Many patients don’t need invasive treatments, but they are a viable option for those who require help beyond therapy and medication. Our surgeons are experienced in surgical treatments that help reverse foot and ankle damage. Our podiatrists will make recommendations based on the results of your medical exam and tests that indicate the severity of the arthritis.
Seek Foot Pain Treatment
If you suffer from arthritis or undiagnosed pain in your ankle or foot, schedule a consultation with a doctor at Horizon Foot & Ankle Institute. Our team will determine if you have arthritis and develop a treatment plan to help you get the relief you deserve. We will discuss the available non-surgical and surgical options and create a customized treatment plan. Contact us today to find out how our compassionate team can help you get back on your feet, one step at a time.