Dealing with arthritis? There's a chance that its effects will reach your feet. Osteoarthritis, the most common type, affects the feet of one in six people older than 50. In rheumatoid arthritis, more than 90% of patients develop symptoms in the foot and ankle. Culver City foot doctor Dr. J. Leonard Knudson, DPM offers treatments for foot and ankle pain due to arthritis at his practice, the Associated Foot Care Clinic.
Treatment Plan for Foot and Ankle Pain Due To Arthritis
In osteoarthritis, patients will commonly feel pain in the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) connecting the big toe to the foot, though it can also affect the midfoot and ankle.
In rheumatoid arthritis, both feet tend to be affected at the same joints unlike in OA that usually affects just one particular joint.
Gout often affects only the feet, especially the big toe.
Psoriatic arthritis can affect the toes, resulting in sausage-like swelling called dactylitis. This often comes with inflammation of the parts where tendons and ligaments connect to the bone - presenting as plantar fasciitis.
The treatment plan for foot pain due to arthritis include easing the pain, stiffness and swelling through methods such as:
Pain medication
OTC and prescription medications such as NSAIDs like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can address the pain, swelling and redness of the arthritis particularly in the feet. Steroids such as cortisone can also be injected to address acute inflammation.
Proper footwear and inserts
Aside from finding comfortable shoes, custom-made orthotics can be prescribed to soothe arthritic foot pain.
Ice or heat
Cold therapy constricts blood vessels in the surrounding tissues to reduce swelling and inflammation of the joints. Heat therapy loosens muscles and decreases spasms, reducing joint stiffness.
Weight loss and proper movement
Higher body weight results in more stress on the joints, resulting in more discomfort. Reducing the load will improve the symptoms. Likewise, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle by engaging in moderate exercise will maintain joint function and reduce pain as well as fatigue and stiffness.
Surgical options
When foot arthritis reaches a point that conservative treatments are no longer sufficient, surgical intervention may be necessary. This can include fusing the big toe joint, which will eliminate pain by limiting the joint's range of motion.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. J. Leonard Knudson - a Culver City Foot Doctor for treatment.
Dr. J. Leonard Knudson is a Foot and Ankle Surgeon located in Culver City and near West Los Angeles. We also tend to patients from nearby - UCLA, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica and the West Los Angeles area.
Associated Foot Care Clinic, Inc.
A Podiatrist Group. Since 1982. Foot and Ankle Specialists.
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm