Arthritis is the joint damage which causes swelling, pain, stiffness and physical changes in your joints. Arthritis is a general term involving more than a hundred condition. Several types of Arthritis can cause pain and inflammation around the foot and ankle joints and nearby soft tissues. The cartilage which cushions the joints starts to wear, and the bones will start rub against each other.
Causes
Osteoarthritis –
A condition where the cartilage in the joints wears away
Gout –
When you have uric acid buildup from your diet
Post-traumatic Arthritis –
After an injury to the foot and ankle joint
Rheumatoid Arthritis –
An autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks its tissue leading to severe joint damage
Psoriatic Arthritis –
An itchy painful skin condition which may cause pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints
Obesity
Symptoms
Diagnosis
A physical examination of the joint, X-rays, MRI or CT scans can help diagnose the Arthritis condition and its severity.
Treatment
Depending upon the type of Arthritis and underlying medical condition or diseases, your doctor will work out a treatment plan. Some of theconventional non-surgical treatment approaches are
If the Arthritis doesn’t get any better with non-surgical treatment approaches the doctor may consider surgery for foot and ankle arthritis, namely
Recovery
Recovery depends upon the severity of Arthritis. With proper lifestyle changes, exercise and adequate rest, you will be able to recover from mild to moderate arthritis condition. In severe cases, when you undergo surgery, your recovery may take several months and be completely pain-free.
Prevention