What is arthritic foot care?
Arthritic foot care involves specialized services that focus on the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis conditions that affect your feet.
At New Age Foot & Ankle Surgery, the podiatry team focuses on preserving the function and range of motion you have in the joints of your feet using a wide variety of nonsurgical therapies and minimally invasive surgery.
What are common arthritic foot conditions?
Arthritis is a chronic disease that affects your joints in different ways. There are many different types of arthritis that can affect the joints of your feet, including:
Gout
Gout is an arthritic foot condition that affects the joints of your big toe. This disease causes needle-like crystals to form, which irritates the joint and triggers inflammation and pain.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a wear-and-tear disease that develops when the protective cartilage that lines the ends of the bones in your joints breaks down and wears away. The unprotected bones can then rub together with your movements, creating friction that leads to inflammation and pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes persistent inflammation in and around the joints of the feet.
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis affects people with psoriasis. This autoimmune condition causes red patches and silvery scales to form on the skin because of an abnormal immune response. In the feet, psoriatic arthritis causes sausage-like swelling in the toes.
Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that causes inflammation in your spine. Over time, this type of arthritis can increase your risk for developing foot and Achilles tendon pain due to plantar fasciitis, the inflammation of the thick band of tissues that connect your heel bone to your toes.
What's involved in arthritic foot care?
While there's no cure for arthritis, you can learn how to manage your symptoms and prevent the worsening of your condition with the help of the team at New Age Foot & Ankle Surgery.
If you're already experiencing arthritis pain, the podiatrists can customize a treatment plan to increase your comfort. This plan may involve over-the-counter or prescription pain medications and anti-inflammatories, heat or ice therapy, and physical therapy.
The providers can help you address lifestyle factors that contribute to arthritis pain, such as recommending weight-loss programs to take pressure off the joints of your feet and changing the style of shoe you wear. They also provide general foot care resources to keep your feet healthy.
If you have advanced arthritis that's causing deformities in the joints of your feet, you may be a candidate for surgery. The podiatry team can discuss your options for joint surgery during your consultation.
Learn more about the benefits of the customized arthritic foot care services available at New Age Foot & Ankle Surgery by calling the office today or by requesting an appointment online.
