When people talk about arthritis, the most common area they think about are the knees, elbows, shoulders, and hips. Many patients fail to consider that the feet can also suffer from this disease, which means that they fail to address their conditions.
The thing with foot and ankle arthritis is that it can affect your quality of life if you neglect it. As with any medical condition, the best thing to do is to consult a doctor and get help. Want to know more about this type of arthritis? Keep reading.
What Exactly is Arthritis?
Arthritis refers to a collection of over 100 diseases related to joint inflammation that results from the deterioration of the cartilage in joints, causing bones to get in contact with each other.
It is characterized by pain, swelling, and stiffness, limiting the mobility of patients. It can also cause lost functions and deformities.
How to Know if You Have Foot and Ankle Arthritis
A lot of people fail to consider that their feet are made up of many bones and joints, which means that this part of their body can suffer from arthritis. If you are suffering from foot pain combined with inflammation, you should consider getting checked for foot and ankle arthritis.
So, what are things you should watch out for if you are looking for signs of foot and ankle arthritis? Of course, the first thing you need to observe is pain. You may feel some discomfort when you stand or walk. The same kind of pain may occur when you move your foot.
Say, you sit down and rest your feet. Touching joints in your feet can lead to tenderness and pain. You may also notice some warmth, swelling, and general stiffness that makes it difficult to move. When you rest for a while, you may feel more pain even without moving or putting weight on your feet. If you feel any of these symptoms, you might have foot and ankle arthritis.
What To Do If You Think You Have Foot and Ankle Arthritis
The thing about foot pain is you cannot be sure what it is unless you have it checked by a medical professional. These doctors will perform diagnostic tests that can help identify the source of pain.
A physical exam may be used to determine whether your foot pain is arthritis, or not. Your physician may also order x-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to properly identify the source.
After diagnosing your foot arthritis, your doctor may implement a treatment plan suitable to your condition. This can include steroids, anti-inflammatory medication, pain relievers, foot devices, therapy, and custom shoes. Keep in mind that treatments can vary from one case to another.
Final Thoughts
If you are one of the people who have been experiencing foot pains, you should have it checked for foot and ankle arthritis by a certified podiatrist. This way, you can get the help you need to maintain your quality of life and prevent the condition from worsening.
