Osteoarthritis refers to a type of degenerative disorder that involves the breakdown of cartilage, the tissue cushioning the end of your bones that form many of the joints in your body that allow you to move freely.
Osteoarthritis, which typically develops as a function of aging, creates joint inflammation anywhere in the body – including the joints in your feet and ankles. The resulting symptoms typically include pain, swelling, and reduced mobility. Fortunately, podiatrists have the skills and experience to help manage this condition, which may impact your quality of your life if left untreated.
How Osteoarthritis Can Affect Your Feet and Ankles
Osteoarthritis that impacts your ankles and feet can limit your capacity to participate in sports or other physical activities and cause enough ongoing pain to generate overwhelming emotional stress and anxiety. Pain and stiffness in your feet and ankles can make walking challenging. Individuals with osteoarthritis may develop an altered gait or favor certain joints to minimize discomfort.
Pain and Discomfort
Pain is considered the most common osteoarthritis symptom. An individual who experiences osteoarthritis in their feet and ankles is likely to experience discomfort when simply standing, walking, or doing other activities that require affected joints to bear weight.
Joint Degeneration
- As the cartilage erodes, the bones that form the joint may rub against each other, which can cause stiffness, swelling, and pain.
- The condition may cause the development of osteophytes – a.k.a. bone spurs that can alter the bone shape, potentially causing joint deformities.
- In more serious or advanced cases, osteoarthritis can cause instability in the affected joint – which may lead to balance issues and increase one's risk of falling.
Joint Tenderness and Swelling
- Joints affected by osteoarthritis often become tender when pressure is applied to the area.
- Inflammation is also common and swelling in the ankles and feet can make it difficult and uncomfortable to wear shoes.
Stiffness and Limited Range of Motion
- Joint stiffness in the ankles and feet is common, particularly when you have been inactive or sitting for extended periods.
- As osteoarthritis progresses, one's range of motion becomes reduced, ultimately impacting mobility and the ability to complete simple daily tasks.
As your feet and ankles undergo changes – i.e., swelling and joint deformities, it becomes challenging to find footwear that is both supportive and comfortable. Some people may need to adjust their shoe size to find the comfort they seek.
Podiatrists Can Play a Valuable Role in Managing Arthritis in the Feet and Ankle
Podiatrists play an integral role in managing the symptoms of osteoarthritis with the objective of improving your overall foot health. They can recommend various treatment options - oral medications, topical creams, or injections to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. In addition, podiatrists can help better manage osteoarthritis symptoms as follows -
- The use of custom orthotic devices can be prescribed to improve your foot's biomechanics (and add support), thereby reducing joint stress caused by the condition.
- Therapeutic exercises can be prescribed to help with the affected joint's flexibility and the strengthening of surrounding muscles.
- Lifestyle modifications and strategic guidance can help reduce the condition's impact on your daily activities. These may include -
- Choosing shoes that fit properly and provide supportive cushioning.
- Weight management strategies to reduce stress on your affected joints.
- Stretching and warming up.
- Gentle yoga or low-impact exercise. Adding regular low-impact activities, which may sound counterproductive to pain, is actually supported by scientific research that reveals this type of movement maintains muscle strength and flexibility.
In some cases, surgery may be considered if conservative measures fail to provide the required relief.
If you have ankle or foot pain or suspect you have osteoarthritis in your feet and ankles, it's advisable to contact a podiatrist who can evaluate your condition and tailor a plan to manage the osteoarthritis symptoms.