Arthritis of the Foot

Arthritis in your feet can be debilitating – But what is it, who does it affect and most importantly, what can we do for you to alleviate your pain?

Arthritis simply means inflammation of the joints and, unfortunately for everyone, it does not discriminate against its victim. Symptoms of Arthritis are generally pain and stiffness in the small joints in the foot and ankle and although there is no cure for it, there are treatment options available. 

There are over 100 types of Arthritis however we more commonly see these 3 types:

• Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is essentially the “wear and tear” type of arthritis which progresses in its severity as you age and eventuates to bone rubbing against bone within your joints and can be extremely painful. Symptoms include pain with vigorous exercise, tenders when pressure is applied, joint swelling and redness and increased main in the morning or after long periods of resting. 
• Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis occurs when the body's immune system begins to attack the cartilage. Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the joints and persistent aching usually after long periods of walking or standing. Rheumatoid Arthritis is more commonly a symmetric condition and will affect both sides of the feet at the same time. 
• Gout. Gout occurs when your body is unable to remove any excess uric acid. This usually results in pain and swelling, more commonly in the big toe. 

Thankfully, your feet will give you warning signs, so it is important to note any changes such as calluses on your big toe, shoes not fitting comfortably anymore, heel pain, hammertoes and swelling of your joints and toes. If you notice any of these symptoms on your own feet, book an appointment with us immediately. 

So how can we help alleviate your painful Arthritis symptoms? During your initial consultation, our Podiatrists will observe the way you walk and ask you a range of questions to determine the severity of your symptoms. As stated earlier, there is no cure for Arthritis, but a Podiatrist can offer a wide range of advice such as switching from high impact to low impact exercises, losing weight if necessary, physical therapy treatments such as shockwave therapy and or customised orthotics for your shoes. 
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So in light of Arthritis Awareness week, if you notice any questionable symptoms, please contact us today!