When your foot and ankle pain is due to chronic arthritis, your mobility and active lifestyle will be significantly impacted. The medical professionals at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ohio, in Mentor, Chardon, Westlake, Geneva and Cleveland, Ohio, are experienced in using a wide range of treatments to help alleviate this painful condition. For a consultation regarding your foot or ankle arthritis, call or book an appointment online today.
Arthritis is a common condition of the joint, which causes inflammation and pain. Over 100 types of arthritis comprise the leading cause of disability in the United States.
When you have arthritis in the foot or ankle, it alters the normal movement of the joint. This places exceptional stress and pressure on the ligaments, tendons, muscles, and soft tissue of the foot, causing damage and limiting mobility.
Symptoms or foot and ankle arthritis include:
Over 50,000 new cases of ankle arthritis are reported every year. Treatment is important to avoid progressive loss of mobility.
A number of conditions can contribute to the development of inflammation of the foot and ankle joints. These include:
The medical team at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ohio uses X-rays and laboratory tests to confirm the type and extent of your foot and ankle arthritis. If needed, other tests such as a bone scan, computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used as well.
Your medical team evaluates your underlying condition and degree of damage, to help determine the best course of treatment for you. Initial treatment can include immobilization, oral medications, and orthotics.
Other treatment options can include minimally invasive methods such as:
Joint injections – for medication, stem cells, or PRP – are assisted by fluoroscopic guidance, giving increased accuracy and greater potential for effective treatment.
Surgical options include joint replacement, or joint fusion. If your arthritis is in the joint of your big toe (the metatarsophalangeal joint [MTPJ]), your doctor can discuss with you whether replacement or fusion is the best option for you.
For a consultation regarding your foot and ankle arthritis, call or book an appointment online today.