Arthritis is a prevalent condition that can affect any joint in the body, including those in the feet. This common disease can significantly impact your comfort and mobility, making day-to-day activities challenging.
At the Foot & Ankle Institute of New England, we understand these challenges and are committed to helping you find relief. We acknowledge that every individual is unique, and so is their experience with arthritis. Therefore, our treatment modalities are patient-centric and customized to meet the specific needs and lifestyle goals of each patient.
Let’s talk about arthritis in feet and the various strategies we offer at our foot clinic to find lasting relief.
Types of Arthritis in the Feet
There are several types of arthritis that can affect your feet. The most common are:
- Osteoarthritis: This is the most common form of arthritis, caused by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. The resulting bone-on-bone friction can lead to pain, stiffness, and swelling in the affected joint.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints, including those in the feet. It can result in joint deformities and difficulty walking.
- Post-Traumatic Arthritis: This form of arthritis develops following an injury to the foot, such as a fracture or sprain. The trauma caused by such injuries can lead to long-term cartilage damage, eventually evolving into arthritis.
Symptoms of Arthritis in the Feet
Arthritis in the feet can manifest through various symptoms, such as:
- Pain and stiffness in the affected joint
- Swelling and redness
- Limited range of motion
- Difficulty walking or standing for extended periods
- Joint deformities
Our Approach to Managing Arthritis in the Feet
At the Foot & Ankle Institute of New England, we follow a comprehensive approach to managing arthritis in the feet:
Comprehensive Evaluation
This is the first step in the treatment process. At our foot clinic, our foot doctors with years of experience conduct an in-depth evaluation of the patient’s condition.
This might include a physical examination where the foot doctor checks for signs of swelling, redness, or warmth and assesses the range of motion in the feet. Imaging tests such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans may be used to get a detailed view of the joints and detect any abnormalities.
Laboratory tests like blood tests or joint fluid analysis can help rule out other conditions or confirm a diagnosis of arthritis.
Customized Treatment Plan
Based on the findings from the comprehensive evaluation, foot doctors at our foot clinic devise a treatment plan tailored to the patient’s specific needs and goals. This means that the treatment is not a one-size-fits-all approach but is personalized to provide the best possible outcome for each individual patient.
The plan could involve a combination of conservative treatments, which are non-surgical methods aimed at relieving symptoms, and in some cases, surgical intervention might be considered.
Conservative Treatments
These treatments aim to manage the symptoms of foot arthritis without surgery. They include:
Medications: Foot specialists at our foot clinic may prescribe NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce pain and inflammation. Corticosteroids, either oral or injected directly into the joint, may also be used for their potent anti-inflammatory effects.
Physical Therapy:Our foot specialist may recommend you see a physical therapist. Physical therapists can create a program of exercises and stretches designed to improve the mobility of the joints in the feet and strengthen the muscles around them, which can help support and stabilize the affected joints.
Orthotics:These custom-made shoe inserts provide support and cushioning for the feet, helping distribute weight evenly and relieve pressure on the painful joints.
Assistive Devices: Canes, braces, or walkers may be recommended to help reduce the stress on the feet, provide stability, and improve mobility.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Procedures like joint injections, where medications like corticosteroids and biologics like platelet-rich plasma are injected directly into the affected joints, are also offered at our foot clinic.Arthroscopy, a surgical procedure that uses a small camera to view and treat problems inside the joint, can also be recommended to relieve pain and improve joint function.
Surgical Intervention
If your foot arthritis is severe and conservative treatments haven’t provided enough relief, surgery might be an option.
The foot and ankle doctors at our foot clinic can perform procedures like joint replacement, where the damaged joint is replaced with an artificial one, or fusion, where the bones in the joint are fused together. Both procedures aim to reduce pain and improve mobility.
Foot Clinic in Fall River, MA
At the Foot & Ankle Institute of New England, we are dedicated to helping you manage arthritis in your feet and regain comfort and mobility. Our comprehensive approach, personalized treatment plans, and experienced team of foot doctors and surgeons ensure you receive the highest quality care.
For more information or to set up a consultation with one of our providers, call our Fall River clinic today at (508) 679-3700 or use our secure online appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
