Do you struggle to walk or stand due to aching, stiff, swollen feet? Have you been diagnosed with arthritis that is causing pain in your foot or ankle joints? Foot arthritis pain can limit your mobility and keep you from enjoying your favorite activities. Fortunately, help is available.
The experienced El Paso podiatrists at The Foot Institute are here to provide a personalized treatment plan to help relieve your arthritis symptoms and get you back on your feet again. With access to modern diagnostic technology and innovative treatment methods, we are here to help you find relief.
Common Types of Arthritis That Affect the Feet
Arthritis is a broad term for a number of conditions that cause inflammation and chronic pain in the joints. Arthritis types that commonly affect the feet and ankles include:
- Osteoarthritis occurs due to wear and tear over time. As cartilage deteriorates, this causes friction and irritation between the bones in a joint.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing inflammation and damage.
- Gout results from a buildup of uric acid in the joints, especially the big toe joint. It can cause episodes of intense pain, redness, and swelling.
- Psoriatic arthritis leads to painful swelling and stiffness in the toes, ankles, and feet.
The type of arthritis you have will impact your treatment plan. When you visit The Foot Institute, your El Paso podiatrist will do a physical exam and review your medical history in order to diagnose your condition properly. They may also use imaging scans and lab tests.
Medication Options for Managing Arthritic Foot Pain
Medications are often one of the first arthritic foot treatment options that a foot doctor will recommend or prescribe for controlling arthritis pain and inflammation. The type of medication depends on the specific kind of arthritis you have. Common medications for arthritis pain relief include:
- Anti-inflammatory medicine. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen can ease mild pain and swelling. Stronger prescription medication may be recommended for more severe symptoms.
- Corticosteroids. Powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that can be taken orally or injected directly into a joint for fast relief are sometimes used for short periods of time.
- Antirheumatic Drugs. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may be prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis to help slow joint damage by suppressing an overactive immune system.
- Urate-lowering drugs. This type of medication is used to help prevent gout attacks from recurring by reducing uric acid levels in the body.
Your podiatrist will work with your primary doctor or rheumatologist to determine the right medication regimen to help you get your arthritis symptoms under control. Medications are often used in conjunction with other arthritic foot treatments for the best results.
Custom Orthotics for Arthritic Feet
Our El Paso podiatrists can prescribe custom orthotic shoe inserts specifically made for your unique foot shape and structure. Orthotics provide many benefits for arthritic feet, such as:
- Redistributing pressure. Orthotics distribute and balance your weight across your feet and away from inflamed, painful joints, helping reduce impact and overuse.
- Providing support. Custom inserts stabilize and support the joints in your feet and ankles, helping them move more efficiently and with less irritation.
- Correcting alignment. Arthritis can cause foot deformities like bunions or hammer toe to develop. Orthotics help realign the bones and joints to prevent awkward positioning.
- Absorbing shock. Quality orthotics are made of materials that absorb impact to cushion your joints with each step, especially on hard surfaces.
- Preventing rubbing. Prescription inserts are made to fit and protect joint deformities to avoid painful rubbing inside your shoes.
Getting fitted for custom orthotics by a podiatry practice is a simple process involving digital or plaster foot molds to capture your exact foot contours, mechanics, and problem areas. You can then insert the lightweight orthotic devices into your regular shoes each day for ongoing support and arthritis relief.
Emerging Arthritic Foot Treatments in El Paso
Our El Paso podiatric practice also offers innovative, cutting-edge treatments that can be helpful in the treatment of foot arthritis pain. Emerging treatments we offer include:
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. A sample of your own blood is processed to concentrate the platelets and growth factors, then injected into an arthritic joint to stimulate healing.
- Stem cell therapy. Stem cells from your bone marrow or fat tissue are injected into a damaged joint to regenerate healthy new cartilage and decrease inflammation.
- Nerve stimulation. Electrical currents are used to stimulate nerves and alter pain signals, providing drug-free pain relief.
Your foot and ankle specialist will discuss options that may be appropriate for your condition.
Lifestyle Adjustments That Help Arthritic Feet
In addition to medical arthritic foot treatments, there are some things you can do at home to ease arthritis pain and stiffness in your feet. Lifestyle modifications to consider include:
- Maintain a healthy weight. Extra pounds increase the load and stress on your joints. Losing even a modest amount of weight can significantly reduce arthritic foot pain.
- Choose supportive footwear. Opt for shoes with plenty of cushioning, sturdy arch support, and a wide, deep toe box. Rigid soles are best to minimize joint motion.
- Stay active. Regular physical activity is one of the best ways to combat joint pain and stiffness. Low-impact exercises like walking, cycling, and swimming are ideal.
- Apply heat or cold therapy. For a quick reduction in pain and swelling, apply a heating pad or ice pack to your feet and ankles for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times per day.
- Try a massage. Gently massaging arthritic feet and ankles in a circular pattern can temporarily boost circulation and alleviate aches and pains. Use oil or cream to reduce friction on your skin.
Your foot doctor can provide personalized lifestyle recommendations based on the severity of your arthritis and your overall health. Even small daily changes can add up to significant relief over time.
Surgical Options for Foot Arthritis Pain
If measures like the ones discussed above fail to relieve your arthritic foot and ankle pain adequately, surgery may be an option to consider. Our El Paso podiatric surgeons can perform several types of surgical procedures that can be helpful for patients with advanced cases of arthritis, such as:
- Fusion surgery. In this procedure, the bones of an arthritic joint are fused together into one solid bone to eliminate painful movement and rubbing. It is most often done in the ankles or big toe joints.
- Joint replacement surgery. Severely damaged ankle or toe joints can be removed and replaced with artificial prosthetic joints made of plastic or metal. After recovery, this allows a near-normal range of motion.
- Bone spur removal. Arthritis can cause bone spurs, which are bony overgrowths, to develop, leading to painful bumps and limited mobility. Removing bone spurs can help restore joint function.
- Synovectomy. The lining around an arthritic joint (synovium) can become inflamed and thickened, causing pain. Removing part or all of this lining can provide relief.
Surgery is typically a last resort and reserved for severe cases that don't respond to less invasive treatments. Recovery time varies but often involves a period of immobilization and physical therapy to restore foot and ankle function.