Arthritis Specialist

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a group of more than 100 diseases that affect your joints. Almost one-fourth of Americans have some form of arthritis today. Although arthritis can occur at any age, you're most prone to its development in middle age and beyond.

Arthritis is common in the feet and ankles because your feet have a high concentration of joints in a small area. Your foot and ankle joints have to constantly bear the weight of your entire body, which means that arthritic joints can worsen quickly. 

Without treatment for foot and ankle arthritis, you could lose your mobility and independence. With help from the West Suburban Podiatry doctors, you can live with foot and ankle arthritis and enjoy life without serious restrictions.

How does arthritis affect the feet and ankles?

Each form of arthritis affects your feet and ankles differently, but symptoms can include joint swelling, pain, warmth, and stiffness. Common types of foot and ankle arthritis include: 

Osteoarthritis

In osteoarthritis, the most prevalent kind of arthritis in the feet and ankles, your cartilage erodes over time. You most often feel the effects in the joint at the base of your big toe, a joint in your midfoot, or your ankle. It causes soreness, pain, and stiffness. 

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a severe form of arthritis that usually affects both halves of your body evenly. Rheumatoid arthritis can occur in any of the joints in your feet. It commonly causes joint swelling, pain, and deformity. 

Gout 

Gout usually affects your big toe but can also strike other joints. It causes pain, swelling, and hot-feeling joints. 

Arthritis symptoms can develop gradually, which is typical of osteoarthritis, or suddenly, which is usually the case with gout. As soon as you have pain, stiffness, swelling, joint warmth, or other possible arthritis symptoms, call West Suburban Podiatry for help. 

How do you treat foot and ankle arthritis? 

Foot and ankle arthritis treatment at West Suburban Podiatry emphasizes your particular needs. Your podiatrist explains how your arthritis affects your feet and ankles and then discusses all the treatment options. 

Your care may include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Steroid injections
• Physical therapy
• Custom orthotics
• MLS cold laser therapy

Your West Suburban Podiatry doctor can help you control inflammation and restore your range-of-motion with non-invasive treatments in most cases. For severe joint damage or deformity, you might need joint fusion or replacement. 

If you have arthritis symptoms, seek help from the foot and ankle arthritis experts at West Suburban Podiatry. Book your appointment online or call the office today.