Osteoarthritis of the Foot and Ankle
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is the breakdown of the cartilages in joints. Cartilages allow free movement of the joint. This condition affects millions of people in the US. The condition affects various joints in the body, including the hands, feet, spine, hips and knees. In the foot, this condition happens frequently in the big toe joint. Less commonly, it happens in the midfoot and ankle.
Causes:
Osteoarthritis is a result of wear and tear of the joint from repetitive motions. As the cartilage wears down, the bones come in contact with each other, and cause pain.
Injuries can also lead to osteoarthritis, usually through direct injury to the cartilage, or changing the optimal alignment of the joint causing extra wear and tear. For example, severely stubbing the toe can cause cartilage injury, which might result in osteoarthritis.
Abnormal foot architecture can also increase the chance of developing osteoarthritis due to suboptimal movement of the joints. Both flatfoot and high arch foot are known to increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Symptoms:
Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the joint, swelling in or near the joint, or difficulty bending the joint. A common pathology associated with osteoarthritis is the development of bone spurs. These bone spurs are the body’s mechanism to limit movement at the joint, in order to reduce pain.
Diagnosis:
A thorough history and physician examination is important. Pain with movement of the joint can direct the physician to the diagnosis. X-ray of the foot can also allow physicians to assess the integrity of the cartilage, and bone.
Treatment:
Non surgical treatments involve symptom relief. It involves the following:
If symptom relief cannot be achieved through conservative treatments, surgeries can be considered. The goal of surgery is to decrease pain, and increase function.
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is the breakdown of the cartilages in joints. Cartilages allow free movement of the joint. This condition affects millions of people in the US. The condition affects various joints in the body, including the hands, feet, spine, hips and knees. In the foot, this condition happens frequently in the big toe joint. Less commonly, it happens in the midfoot and ankle.
Causes:
Osteoarthritis is a result of wear and tear of the joint from repetitive motions. As the cartilage wears down, the bones come in contact with each other, and cause pain.
Injuries can also lead to osteoarthritis, usually through direct injury to the cartilage, or changing the optimal alignment of the joint causing extra wear and tear. For example, severely stubbing the toe can cause cartilage injury, which might result in osteoarthritis.
Abnormal foot architecture can also increase the chance of developing osteoarthritis due to suboptimal movement of the joints. Both flatfoot and high arch foot are known to increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Symptoms:
Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the joint, swelling in or near the joint, or difficulty bending the joint. A common pathology associated with osteoarthritis is the development of bone spurs. These bone spurs are the body’s mechanism to limit movement at the joint, in order to reduce pain.
Diagnosis:
A thorough history and physician examination is important. Pain with movement of the joint can direct the physician to the diagnosis. X-ray of the foot can also allow physicians to assess the integrity of the cartilage, and bone.
Treatment:
Non surgical treatments involve symptom relief. It involves the following:
- Oral medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, are often helpful in reducing the inflammation and pain. Occasionally, a prescription for a steroid medication is needed to adequately reduce symptoms.
- Orthotic devices. Custom orthotic devices (shoe inserts) are often prescribed to provide support to improve the foot’s mechanics or cushioning to help minimize pain.
- Bracing. Bracing, which restricts motion and supports the joint, can reduce pain during walking and can help prevent further deformity.
- Immobilization. Protecting the foot from movement by wearing a cast or removable cast-boot may be necessary to allow the inflammation to resolve.
- Steroid injections. In some cases, steroid injections are applied to the affected joint to deliver anti-inflammatory medication.
- Physical therapy. Exercises to strengthen the muscles, especially when osteoarthritis occurs in the ankle, may give the patient greater stability and may help him or her avoid injury that might worsen the condition.
If symptom relief cannot be achieved through conservative treatments, surgeries can be considered. The goal of surgery is to decrease pain, and increase function.