Common Signs of Foot and Ankle Arthritis

Arthritis is a collection of more than 100 conditions. Its name derives from the Greek meaning “joint inflammation,” and all the conditions involve inflammation in and around the body’s joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling. The condition may be acute or chronic.

In most forms of arthritis, the joints deteriorate progressively as you gradually lose the smooth cushioning cartilage that protects the bones from grating against each other. Soft tissues in the joints may also be affected.

At Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists, our team of expert foot and ankle specialists focuses on diagnosing and treating arthritis of the feet and ankles. While there’s no cure for arthritis, we can help you manage your symptoms and return to your daily routine. Here are some common signs of the condition you should know so you can get proper treatment.

More about arthritis and the feet 

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA), which is generally associated with the wear and tear of aging. Other risk factors include acute joint injury, obesity, genetics, and anatomic factors that include joint shape and alignment.

Other common forms are rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune condition; psoriatic arthritis (PsA), another autoimmune condition; and gout, in which uric acid crystals deposit in the joint space, especially in the big toe.

Each of your feet has 28 bones and over 30 joints, though the most common ones affected by arthritis are:

• The section where the ankle and shinbone meet
• The three foot joints that involve the heel bone, the inner mid-foot bone, and the outer mid-foot bone
• The joint where the big toe and foot bone come together

Common signs of foot and ankle arthritis vary from person to person and depend on which joints are affected, but inflammation and pain are common in all. With OA, development takes years of routine movements, so the pain develops gradually over time; that said, a sudden onset is also possible.

There can be other symptoms, as well, including:

• Pain with minimal motion
• Pain that flares with vigorous activity
• Tenderness when you apply pressure
• Joint swelling, warmth, and redness
• Increased pain and swelling in the morning or after sitting or resting

Difficulty walking, stiffness, and inactivity typically result.

Treating foot and ankle arthritis

There’s no cure for arthritis, but there are many ways to manage the symptoms. Here are some steps you can take:

Avoid activities that aggravate the condition. It won't hurt as much if you’re not constantly taxing the joint.

Switch from high-impact activities (like jogging, basketball, or tennis) to lower-impact activities (like swimming or bicycling); it lessens the stress on your foot and ankle.

Lose extra weight. By reducing the stress you place on the joints, you’ll experience less pain and increased function.

Physical therapy (PT) is a great option regardless of the type of arthritis you have, including foot and ankle arthritis. Type-specific exercises increase your range of motion and flexibility and help strengthen the muscles in your foot and ankle.

Assistive devices are also a good option. A brace — such as an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) — may improve mobility by stabilizing the foot. In addition, wearing shoe inserts, custom-made orthotics, or shoes with stiff soles and rocker bottoms can minimize pressure on the foot and decrease pain.

Medications are often helpful, too. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, help reduce inflammation and swelling and relieve pain.

In addition, cortisone (a corticosteroid) is an effective anti-inflammatory agent that can be injected into an arthritic joint to relieve pain. However, the results don’t last more than a couple of months, and you can’t use the drug too frequently, or it may damage your bones.

If you have any symptoms of ankle arthritis, visit Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists for a diagnosis and treatment. Call us at any of our locations (Bradenton, Sarasota, University Park, and Ellenton, Florida) or book online today.