Each of your feet contains 33 joints, which means there’s ample opportunity for arthritis to strike. And when it does, you need an experienced team of podiatrists like those at South County Foot & Ankle to help you maintain your active lifestyle. The team has several convenient locations in Warwick, Wakefield, Westerly, Providence, Scituate, and Lincoln, Rhode Island. Each of the locations is staffed by board-certified podiatrists who understand the effect that arthritis can have on your feet. To get the right arthritis team in your corner, call or use the online booking tool.
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, which is a catch-all term for any condition that leads to pain and inflammation within a joint. Arthritis can strike any joint in your body, but when it develops in your feet or ankles, it can have a profound effect on your mobility. Between the limitations in your movement and the pain, arthritis is a most unwelcome development.
The most common forms of arthritis that affect your feet and ankles include:
This type of degenerative arthritis is the most common and occurs when the cartilage inside your joints begins to break down. This leaves your bones to rub together unprotected, causing pain and inflammation.
This is an autoimmune disorder in which your body mistakenly attacks the lining in your joints. This form of arthritis typically starts in the small joints in your feet.
Gout is a result of a buildup of uric acid in your body, which can form sharp, crystal-like shards in your joints — typically a joint in your big toe.
If you’ve injured your foot or ankle in the past, unfortunately, you may be more prone to developing arthritis at the site of the old injury.
There are many other forms of arthritis, but these represent the most common complaints when it comes to feet and ankles.
Since arthritis describes pain and inflammation in your joints, these are the first warning signs that arthritis may be developing.
Outside of pain and inflammation, you may also experience:
The bottom line is that any time your feet or ankles are in pain, it’s a good idea to see the podiatry team at South County Foot & Ankle for an evaluation.
There’s no cure for arthritis, but there are a lot of steps the podiatry team at South County Foot & Ankle can take to help you better manage the condition and even slow its progression. Once they confirm your arthritis diagnosis, your podiatrist may recommend:
If your ankle joints have been ravaged by arthritis, your podiatrist may recommend joint replacement surgery to help you regain mobility.
To learn more about the comprehensive arthritis care at South County Foot & Ankle, call or use the online scheduler.
