Arthritis Specialist

How does arthritis affect the feet and ankles?

Arthritic foot care is one of the services available at Tussey Mountain Foot & Ankle Specialists. Arthritis may affect any joint in the body, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness. When you have arthritis in your feet, you may find standing and walking are too painful. 

The podiatrists at Tussey Mountain Foot & Ankle Specialists offer arthritic foot care to manage this common condition, improve foot health, and prevent disability. 

There are over 100 types of arthritis. Some of the types that affect the feet and ankles include:

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis is degenerative arthritis that develops from the gradual wearing away of the cartilage separating the bones that make up a joint. OA may affect the joints in your heel, foot, toes, or ankles. 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which is when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body. RA may first appear in the feet and ankles.

Post-traumatic arthritis

You may develop post-traumatic arthritis following an injury to the foot or ankle.

When should I seek foot care for arthritis?

You should seek arthritic foot care if you have foot or ankle pain that affects your daily routine. Arthritis is progressive and, without proper treatment, may lead to permanent joint damage and disability.

Tussey Mountain Foot & Ankle Specialists takes a patient-centered approach to care. The experts conduct thorough exams to fully understand the extent of your arthritic condition so they can provide the most effective care.

Your provider examines your feet and ankles and runs diagnostic tests to confirm or rule out a specific cause of your joint pain and inflammation. Testing may include blood work, X-rays, or an MRI.

How is arthritis treated?

Your provider at Tussey Mountain Foot & Ankle Specialists customizes your arthritic foot care based on the arthritis type, the severity of symptoms, and your medical history. Their goal is to reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and preserve joint health and function.

Arthritic foot care at Tussey Mountain Foot & Ankle Specialists may include:

• Activity modification
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Change in footwear
• Custom orthotics
• Physical therapy
• Joint injections

When medical interventions fail to provide relief from your foot or ankle arthritis, the podiatric experts at Tussey Mountain Foot & Ankle Specialists may consider surgery. The surgeons specialize in foot and ankle fusion procedures and joint replacement.

For expert arthritic foot care, call Tussey Mountain Foot & Ankle Specialists or book an appointment online today.