Arthritis Foot Pain
Three types of arthritis are most commonly responsible for inflammation and pain in your foot. Osteoarthritis is a generative condition where the cartilage around your joints becomes worn. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which your immune system destroys the cartilage. Post-traumatic arthritis is a condition that can develop years after a severe sprain, fracture or injury to one of your ligaments.
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Symptoms
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Depending upon the joint or joints that are affected, symptoms of arthritis in your foot can vary. You may experience stiffness and limited movement of your foot as well as pain, swelling and tenderness. The affected joint may be red and warm to the touch. You may have difficulty walking or engaging in other weight-bearing activities. Physical activities or standing for long periods may also make your condition worse.
Diagnosis
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Your medical history, a physical examination, description of your symptoms and additional tests will aid your doctor in making a diagnosis. You may be given a gait analysis, which indicates how your leg and foot bones are lining up when you walk, the measurement of your stride and the strength of your feet and ankles. She may also order X-rays to check the shapes of your bones and the spacing between them. Other tests may include a CT scan or an MRI.
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Treatment
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Treatment can include anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, prescription medications, steroid injections, weight control and physical therapy, which includes hot or cold therapy and joint-specific exercises to increase your range of motion. At times, the use of a cane may be necessary. Surgery may also be recommended. Arthroscopic debridement is a surgical procedure to remove foreign tissue, bone growths and inflamed tissue. Arthrodesis is a fusion of the bones of the joint. In severe cases, joint replacement may be considered.
Prevention
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Prevention of foot pain from arthritis involves wearing the proper footwear. Shoes that have a high, wide toebox (the toe area of your shoes) are helpful because they reduce pressure on the front of your foot. You can also get rocker soles for your shoes. These are modifications to the soles of your shoes to increase mobility by taking pressure off of the ball of your foot, which will reduce pain and stress on that area. Orthotics--custom-made insoles that can be inserted into your shoes--can help as well.
Considerations
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Arthritis of your foot can also result in other foot problems. A bunion is a bump on the side of the base of your big toe which becomes inflamed and painful. Hammer toes are a condition where your toes point downward into the shape of a claw. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, arthritis is the most common reason for disability in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that in 2005, 30.6 percent of adults between the ages of 18 and 64 that were diagnosed with arthritis reported work limitations as a result of their condition.
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