What is Arthritis?
It is likely you have heard about arthritis before. But you may not be aware of what causes this condition. Arthritis is caused by inflammation in your joints. This is something that can affect your feet since there are 33 joints in each one. Any person can be affected by arthritis.
Are there Different Types of Arthritis?
Not many people are aware that there are several types of arthritis that can affect the foot. Knowing the difference between them can mean that you are more informed when you are receiving treatment.
Osteoarthritis
The most common is going to be osteoarthritis. This results through wear and tear and it can happen over time, starting when you are a young adult. The pain and discomfort you are feeling is caused by the breakdown of joint cartilage and the development of bone spurs.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is also referred to as an autoimmune disease. This means that your feet can be affected, as joints are damaged by immune cells. You can feel a lot of pain because of rheumatoid arthritis and you can suffer from attacks, which are bad spells of discomfort and weakness.
Gout
You may not be aware that gout is a type of arthritis. This is a result of a build-up of uric acid. In particular, this can happen and affect the joints in the feet. Therefore, symptoms will include inflammation and discomfort.
Post-traumatic Arthritis
If you have had an injury in your foot, this can leave you at risk from arthritis. For example, a fracture can mean that you can start to feel pain and stiffness from the joint you affected with the accident.`
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Fewer patients will be diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis or Bechterew disease. But this is also a type of arthritis that can reduce your mobility, as well as cause pain. Indeed, it can happen in the feet or other parts of the body.
What are the Symptoms of Arthritis?
When you have arthritis of the foot, the first complaint you will have is that you are in some kind of discomfort. Your foot can be painful or you can experience stiffness. In particular, you will find this to be true after a lot of exercise or a busy day, as well as first thing in the morning. You may also notice that your foot is warm to touch and there can be red skin and swelling present
What Treatment is Available for Arthritis?
If you think that you have arthritis of the foot, it is best to visit your chiropodist. They are going to be able to confirm whether this is the problem you are experiencing and think about the best treatment for you. It is important to remember that there is no cure for arthritis. But here are lots of options that can help relieve your pain and improve your mobility.
There may be some simple recommendations made to you. For example, special insoles and splints can help to cushion and realign the foot to relieve discomfort. This can also help you to move around easier. Footwear is also going to be important for arthritis. You will want to opt for something that is comfortable so that you can reduce any pain from arthritis in the foot.
For more severe cases of arthritis, there are also some other treatments that can be recommended. This includes steroid injections, heat treatment and acupuncture. Strengthening exercises can be advised too.