3 Types of Arthritis That Cause Severe Foot & Ankle Pain

Each one of your feet contains over thirty joints that are susceptible to developing arthritis. Some kinds of arthritis are age-related, while others can be caused or exacerbated by a foot or ankle injury. Arthritic foot and ankle conditions can make it difficult and painful to bend your ankles and toes, which results in difficulty with basic walking. Fortunately, your foot doctor provides different therapies to reduce or eliminate the pain and stiffness of arthritis.

3 types of arthritis that often cause severe stiffness and pain in the feet and ankles include the following:

1. Osteoarthritis—All the pounding on the joints of the feet and ankles takes a toll as you age, with pain and stiffness developing as the protective cartilage in your joints starts to wear out.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis—This type of arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Meaning your immune system has mistakenly identified your joint cartilage as an intruder.
3. Injury-related arthritis—Previously injured foot and ankle joints are more susceptible to developing arthritic problems as you age, especially in the case of poorly treated ankle sprains.  

Some of the treatments for arthritis in the feet and ankles include the following:

• Wearing properly fitted shoes with orthotic inserts—Custom orthotic inserts used in conjunction with properly-fitted footwear will help transfer pressure away from the painful joints.
• Physical therapy exercises—  Using flexing and strengthening exercises to maintain and restore mobility in the damaged joints.
• Pain medications—Ibuprofen or acetaminophen, when taken as directed, will help decrease stiffness and pain.

If you are experiencing arthritic foot pain and stiffness, see your foot doctor for the proper care. The foot experts at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists, in the Tucson, Oro Valley, and Green Valley areas of Pima County, Arizona, have unparalleled experience in treating all aspects of foot and ankle care. Our team of doctors: Christopher M. Funk, D.P.M., FACFAS, Bradley A. Whitaker, D.P.M., FACFAS, and Peter C. Merrill, D.P.M., AACFAS, is dedicated to serving you with state-of-the-art, cutting edge medical technologies including the PinPointe FootLaser, custom-fitted orthotics, and Radial Pulse Therapy (RPT) for chronic foot, heel, or ankle pain. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please call (520) 575-0800.