Arthritis

Arthritis can develop in joints in many places around the body. Painful inflammation accompanies the condition, which characterises an arthritic joint. When the joint is weight bearing, then it has an additional impact on your quality of life. It affects your daily mobility.

Causes

The cause of arthritis is not fully known.

It is thought that some people are genetically predisposed and develop the disease after they are exposed to environmental triggers. Other forms of arthritis may be caused by problems with the immune system or metabolic conditions such as gout.

Osteoarthritis is a common chronic joint disease, causing large amounts of disability and pain. There are several risk factors for osteoarthritis ranging from: excess weight or obesity, chronic joint injury, repetitive strain through excessive kneeling, squatting, heavy lifting, overuse and acute trauma.

 Arthritis often settles in the ankle joint where the bottom of the tibia meets the top of the foot and the subtalar, talonavicular and the calcaneocuboid joints, and in the metatarsal joints and the big toe. Our podiatrist is able to diagnose and explain your situation and after a conversation about your goals and needs, will be able to recommend suitable treatment options.

Treatments

• Manual Therapy, Massage

• Prescribed home exercises

• Dry Needling

• Weight control

• Prolotherapy

• Custom shoes to correctly support feet

• Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs that ease pain associated with arthritis. Some of these are available over the counter Your podiatrist may recommend these.

• Use of x-rays of the foot to view changes in the bone, which indicate arthritic changes. Blood tests may also follow.

• The ongoing use of high-strength natural practitioner brand supplements. These can be used long term and provide much welcome relief.

• In very severe cases, a referral to GP for temporary dispensing of oral/injectable corticosteroids to manage the pain and inflammation.

• Possible referral for Stem Cell Therapy or Protein rich Plasma Injections.

Treatment Decision

• Arthritic joints often appear bloated, swollen and take on a reddish tinge from ongoing irritation. These effects are irritated by protracted periods of rest or additional pain from moving. But all typify ankle, knee or foot arthritis. Stabbing acute pain in bunions is similar to gout.

• Pain may flare during physical exertion as activity causes joints to become tender and inflamed. Inflammation is the root cause of arthritic symptoms. Whilst incurable, arthritis can be managed and supported.

• Lengthy walking may cause pain to increase and spread through the leg hampering movement, making it difficult or impossible.

• Unfortunately though, the act of nursing the area and remaining still, will only worsen the condition.

• Talk to your podiatrist for the growing range of treatment options that we have available and those we can show you have to continue to do at home.

Take the first step!