Arthritis means that one or more of your joints are inflamed. This condition is common, especially in your foot and ankle’s small joints. Arthritis can make it difficult to do simple activities, like walking or running. There’s no cure for arthritis, but there are many ways to treat it and relieve the pain.
Foot and ankle experts at Summit Orthopedics provide the highest level of care for diagnosing and treating arthritis. We focus on slowing down the disease so you can go about your daily activities without pain and discomfort.
Types of Arthritis in the Foot and Ankle
There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis. Two of the most common types that affect the feet and ankles are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative or wear-and-tear arthritis, is the most common form. It happens when the cartilage covering the bones gradually wears away. This can cause the bones to rub directly against each other, which is very painful. Osteoarthritis can also cause you to develop painful bony bumps called bone spurs.
Hallux rigidus is one type of osteoarthritis. This condition causes your big toe to stiffen, which can cause pain and swelling that make it hard to walk.
Arthritis in the feet and ankles can be caused by many different things, including flat feet and previous injuries, like ankle sprains. People who are obese and those with other family members with arthritis may have a higher chance of getting the condition.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack healthy tissues and joints. Immune cells attack the joint lining, called the synovium, causing it to swell. This inflammation damages the cartilage, bone, ligaments and tendons, which can lead to severe joint deformity in the toes.
Symptoms of Foot and Ankle Arthritis
The signs of arthritis can differ depending on which joint is affected, but arthritis generally causes pain and inflammation.
Arthritis can cause:
- A grinding feeling or noise
- Ankle pain when you put weight on the joint or when you move it
- Difficulty walking
- Increased pain and stiffness in the morning or after you have been sitting for a while
- Pain that develops slowly over time
- Stiffness
- Swelling, warmth or redness around the joint
Diagnosing Foot and Ankle Arthritis
To diagnose your condition, your doctor will ask detailed questions about your pain (including when, where and how it feels) and any past injuries. They’ll check your foot for swelling and tenderness. Your doctor will also look at the way you walk to see how stiffness affects how you move.
Your doctor will also order X-rays. These imaging tests show signs of arthritis, including bone spurs and areas where bones are getting closer together. Your doctor may order other tests, such as a CT scan, MRI or blood work, to confirm the diagnosis or determine the type of arthritis you have.
Nonsurgical Treatment Approaches for Foot and Ankle Arthritis
Doctors usually start with nonsurgical treatments, like lifestyle changes, medication, injections and physical therapy.
- Lifestyle changes: Your doctor may recommend losing weight, as extra weight can worsen arthritis symptoms. If you have osteoarthritis in your foot and ankle, your doctor may encourage you to walk, which can improve joint pain and stiffness.
- Medication and injections: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help reduce swelling and pain.
- Physical therapy: In some cases, foot and ankle arthritis can benefit from exercises that strengthen muscles and increase flexibility.
- Orthotics: Custom shoe inserts (also called orthotics) can reduce pressure on and cushion your foot. They also help improve the way your foot moves.
- Supportive shoes: Wearing shoes with rigid soles can help protect the foot and ankle from too much pressure.
Treating Arthritis in the Foot and Ankle With Surgery
When conservative treatments don’t relieve your symptoms, surgery may be able to reverse damage caused by arthritis. Different types of surgeries treat arthritis in the foot and ankle: arthroscopy, fusion surgery and ankle replacement surgery.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy, or arthroscopic surgery, is a minimally invasive procedure that allows your orthopaedic surgeon to view and repair issues inside your joint. First, your surgeon creates small cuts around your foot and ankle. Through this opening, they insert an instrument called an arthroscope—a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light—that allows them to see the joint.
During arthroscopy, the surgeon can remove inflamed tissue, smooth rough cartilage, clean out the joint and repair damaged tendons and ligaments.
Fusion Surgery
Fusion surgery is a procedure that permanently joins two or more bones in the foot or ankle. This prevents movement in the affected joint, helps reduce pain and restores stability (in cases of severe arthritis).
Ankle Replacement Surgery
Your surgeon removes the worn-out parts of your ankle joint and puts in a new artificial joint in their place. This new joint is usually made from metal and plastic. The main goals of this surgery are to reduce the arthritis pain you feel and help your ankle move better.
Care for Arthritis in the Foot and Ankle at Summit Orthopedics
Our approach to managing arthritis in the foot and ankle is both precise and tailored to your needs. We begin with an accurate and thorough diagnosis of your condition and then create a personalized treatment plan that delivers the best results for your specific needs.
Summit Orthopedics surgeons are available at nearly 30 convenient locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic centers offer same-day appointments from a team of experts who offer the full scope of orthopedic care.
Find your Summit Orthopedics foot and ankle expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
