How Arthritis Affects Your Feet

With more than 100 different types, arthritis is a threat to every joint in your body. All of these conditions are related since they cause inflammation in joints, creating stiffness, limited mobility, and pain. 

Your feet and ankles each have 33 joints, meaning 66 potential locations for arthritis activity. Fortunately, it’s unlikely you’ll deal with problems in all joints, but the effects of arthritis in one or two are often enough to put you on the sidelines. 

Anytime your feet and ankles create problems or pain, visit Errol Gindi D.P.M. Arthritis in your feet and ankles can be treated, reducing pain and restoring mobility. The first step is podiatric evaluation and diagnosis, so make your appointment at the first signs of trouble. 

Arthritis in the feet

Despite a large number of arthritis subtypes, only a few tend to cause issues in your feet and ankles:

• Osteoarthritis is the most common type in any part of the body, and your feet are similarly affected. A degenerative wear and tear condition, osteoarthritis sees the deterioration of cartilage, the protective covering over bones where they connect in joints. 
• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune system disease that often shows up first in the feet and ankles. Your immune system starts attacking the structures of a joint, causing inflammation and tissue damage. 
• Post-traumatic arthritis results from foot or ankle injuries, including dislocations, fractures, or sprains. Injured joints are seven times more likely to develop arthritis, even if treated promptly and properly at the time of injury. 
• Gouty arthritis attacks start due to uric acid crystals building up within joints. The most common spot for gout to occur is the largest joint of your big toe, but it can also settle in your ankle or indeed any joint in the body. Typically, gout responds well to medication. 
• Psoriatic arthritis is most common in the ankle and the ends of your toes and it affects about 30% of psoriasis patients. It’s similar to rheumatoid arthritis as an autoimmune system disorder. 

Symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis

Pain is often the first symptom of any form of arthritis that affects your feet. The pain may be accompanied by swelling, redness, warmth, or tenderness when you touch the skin surrounding the joint. 

You may not have normal mobility of the joint. Your toes may not bend or your ankle might not rotate freely, for instance. You might find that foot pain gets worse overnight, or when you’re sitting or lying down for periods of time. 

Arthritis pain may prevent you from bearing any weight on your feet, making unassisted walking difficult. This can be problematic with rheumatoid arthritis, which usually affects both feet simultaneously. 

Tackling foot arthritis in its early stages gives you the best chance to minimize pain, inconvenience, and long-term damage. Contact either of Dr. Gindi’s offices at the first sign of foot pain. Call the nearest office directly or use the appointment request tool online. There are plenty of treatments to reduce your symptoms and keep you on your feet, so book your examination today.