Foot and Ankle Arthritis - What You Need to Know
The risk of arthritis increases as we age, and a few of the most common locations where it occurs are foot and ankle. Arthritis is known to cause joint damage and that results in pain & swelling in the affected area. Severe cases of this condition may require surgical intervention using Orthopaedic Implants & instruments.
This post will be completely focused on discussing foot & ankle arthritis along with the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Before we move ahead, let us have a look at different types of arthritic conditions that could affect the foot & ankle.
Types of Arthritis Affecting Foot and Ankle
Osteoarthritis
This is one of the most common types of arthritis affecting the joints. It is also known as age-related arthritis. This condition is common in foot and ankle joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is one of the serious forms of arthritis that are noticed in the joints. It is a type of autoimmune disease in which the immune system of the body starts attacking the joints.
Psoriatic Arthritis
This is an inflammatory form of arthritis that may cause swelling in the toe (dactylitis). This condition could arise in one or more joints, and that may include ankles and toe ends.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
As the name suggests, this condition occurs after an injury, especially a dislocation or fracture in the bone.
What Are the Symptoms Associated with Foot and Ankle Arthritis?
The most common symptoms that may be seen in the case of foot and ankle arthritis include:
- Tenderness in the joint
- Painful movements
- Inability to walk or put weight on the affected joint
- Joint stiffness
- Swelling
Diagnosis of Foot and Ankle Arthritis
Checking the medical history of the patient is important in ensuring correct diagnosis, and this will be the first step taken by the doctor. Here, the doctor will ask questions about when and where the pain started along with the movements that increase it.
After this, the doctor performs gait analysis where the walking pattern or style of the patient is monitored. To confirm the condition, an x-ray will also be ordered.
What Are the Treatment Procedures for Foot and Ankle Arthritis?
Depending upon the diagnosis, foot and ankle arthritis can be treated in many ways. Some non-surgical ways of treatment may include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Use of medical custom-made shoes or orthotics
- Shoe inserts to support foot and ankle
- Use of a brace
- Physical therapy
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling
- Analgesics
- Steroid injections into joints
Surgical ways to treat foot and ankle arthritis:
Arthroscopic Surgery
If the arthritis is in the early stages, arthroscopic surgery could be a great option. During this procedure, an arthroscope is inserted into the joint by making a small incision and the joint area is cleaned using special knives, forceps, and other instruments.
Fusion Surgery
During this procedure, the bones are fused together using orthopedic implants like metal rods, pins, plates, or screws.
Joint Replacement Surgery
This type of surgical procedure is performed in rare cases. It involves the complete replacement of the ankle joint with artificial metal implants.
Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd. is one of the reliable orthopedic implants manufacturers in India with a huge global client base. The company is also known as one of the trustworthy Orthopedic Equipment Suppliers in Romania.