Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. It can cause pain and stiffness in any joint in the body but is common in the small joints of the foot and ankle. There are more than 100 forms of arthritis, many of which affect the foot and ankle and there is no cure for arthritis. However, there are many treatment options available to slow the progress of the disease and relieve symptoms.
Types of Arthritis:
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is known as degenerative or “wear-and-tear” arthritis. This type of arthritis is a common problem for many people after they reach middle age, but it may occur in younger people, too. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the joint gradually wears away. As the cartilage wears away, it becomes frayed and rough, and the protective space between the bones decreases. This can result in bone rubbing on bone and produce painful osteophytes (bone spurs).
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that can affect multiple joints throughout the body and often starts in the foot and ankle. It is symmetrical, meaning that it usually affects the same joint on both sides of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means that the immune system attacks its own tissues. In rheumatoid arthritis, immune cells attack the synovium covering the joint, causing it to swell. Over time, the synovium invades and damages the bone and cartilage, as well as ligaments and tendons, and may cause serious joint deformity and disability.
Post-traumatic arthritis can develop after an injury to the foot or ankle. Dislocations and fractures—particularly those that damage the joint surface—are the most common injuries that lead to posttraumatic arthritis. Like osteoarthritis, posttraumatic arthritis causes the cartilage between the joints to wear away. It can develop many years after the initial injury. An injured joint is about seven times more likely than an uninjured joint to become arthritic, even if the injury is properly treated.
Symptoms
The symptoms of arthritis vary depending on which joint is affected. In many cases, an arthritic joint will be painful and inflamed. Generally, the pain develops gradually over time, although sudden onset is also possible. There can be other symptoms, as well, including:
It’s important to note that if you feel that you may have arthritis that you contact your doctor to schedule and appointment and go over treatment options.
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