Osteoarthritis
Common arthritis symptoms of pain and stiffness are usually caused by degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis). Osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage in one or more joints. Cartilage cushions the bones during movement. Osteoarthritis appears at various joints throughout the body, including the hands, feet, spine, hips, and knees. In the foot, the disease most frequently occurs in the big toe, although it is also often found in the midfoot and ankle.
There are more than 100 types of arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis and gout. As the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis affects millions of people. A diagnosis is necessary in order to develop a treatment plan.
Causes
In many kinds of arthritis progressive joint deterioration occurs and the smooth “cushioning” cartilage in joints is gradually lost. As a result, the bones rub and wear against each other. Soft tissues in the joints also may begin to wear down. Arthritis can be painful and eventually result in limited motion, loss of joint function, and deformities in the joints affected.
As you age your chance of developing osteoarthritis, caused by wear and tear, increases. The joint damage associated with osteoarthritis causes swelling, pain, and deformity.
An injury may also lead to osteoarthritis, although it may take months or years after the injury for the condition to develop.
Ankle Joint Injury
An ankle joint injury may be due to the soft tissues of a ligament or tendon stretching beyond their capacity, better known as an ankle sprain or strain.
Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle
The pain and stiffness you feel in your feet and ankles as you age could be arthritis. If left untreated, this nagging pain can get worse over time, eventually making it difficult to walk even short distances.
Great Big Toe Joint Disorder
Hallux rigidus is a disorder of the joint located at the base of the great big toe. It causes pain and stiffness in the joint.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition where the immune system attacks the joint lining tissue, causing painful inflammation and stiffness.
Structural Bone Deformity
A structural bone deformity usually occurs when some of the bones move out of place or a joint is stressed over a period of time.
Symptoms
Contact a doctor if you notice one or more of the following:
- Pain and stiffness in the joint
- Swelling in or near the joint
- Difficulty walking or bending the joint
- You may also develop a bone spur at the affected joint. Shoe pressure may cause pain at the site of a bone spur, and in some cases, blisters or calluses may form over its surface. Bone spurs can also limit the movement of the joint.
Potential Treatments
In diagnosing osteoarthritis, your doctor will examine the foot thoroughly, looking for swelling in the joint, limited mobility and pain with movement. X-rays may be performed to evaluate the extent of the disease. More than one kind of surgery may be required to treat your foot and ankle.
Ankle Arthroplasty (Total Ankle Replacement)
Ankle Arthroplasty, also called Total Ankle Replacement, is a replacement surgery of a damaged ankle joint using an artificial implant.
Arthrodesis (Ankle Fusion)
Ankle Fusion (Arthrodesis) is a type of surgery to fuse the bones of the ankle joint into one piece, eliminating the joint itself.
Big Toe Joint Replacement
A first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint replacement treats arthritis of the big toe. The joint is removed and replaced with metal, plastic or both.
Midfoot Fusion
A Midfoot Fusion is a procedure where one or more of the metatarsal cuneiform joints or intercuneiform joints are fused.
Regenerative Medicine Treatments
Regenerative medicine involves the delivery of growth factors to injured joints and tissues to promote the healing process.
