How Does Arthritis Affect Your Feet?

Arthritis happens when one or more joints become swollen, resulting in pain, stiffness and a decrease in movement and motion. Because your foot contains over 30 joints, this part of your body can be severely impacted by arthritis. This condition can affect the way you walk and limit your ability to move and function normally. 

Gary M. Kazmer, DPM has offices in Elgin and Barrington, Illinois to help people like you get relief from the pain of arthritis and regain function in your affected joints. Our caring staff at Kazmer Foot & Ankle Centers deals with every kind of foot ailment, and we understand how debilitating arthritis can be, especially in your feet and toes. 

Our treatment goals are simple -- reduce or eliminate pain and restore your range of motion as best we can. Here’s what you should know about how arthritis affects your feet and what you can do about it.

Arthritis in your feet

There are many types of arthritis (over 100 actually), but the two main ones are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. 

Both conditions damage the joints and cause similar symptoms and results, but osteoarthritis happens due to wear and tear of the cartilage in your joints, whereas rheumatoid arthritis happens when your own immune system destroys the lining of your joints. 

If you’re feeling pain, stiffness, swelling, and redness on your foot and toe joints, or your range of motion feels limited, come in to see Dr. Kazmer right away. With arthritis, damage to the ankle, heel, or toes can make walking unbearable and eliminate your ability to function normally.

There are many things that may be contributing to your condition, and Dr. Kazmer will give you a full examination, which includes asking about your family history. Age and weight are major risk factors, as are prior joint injuries. People may be surprised to know that ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability can lead to arthritis. 

Unfortunately, arthritis is often the culprit for other foot issues that must not be ignored. Bursitis, claw and hammer toes, bunions, corns, and issues with circulation in your feet and toes can change the way you walk, or even making walking impossible. 

As with most cases, there are lifestyle changes and things you’ll need to do at home as a supplement to the treatments we offer in our offices. We’ll work as a team to get you back on your feet.

Treatment for foot arthritis

At home, you can follow the RICE protocol, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. You can also soak your feet and using anti-inflammatory and arthritis medication as needed and prescribed. 

Here at Kazmer Foot & Ankle Centers, we offer a variety of treatments for foot arthritis including: injections, creating custom insoles or orthotics, putting your foot in a boot or brace, if needed. Alternative therapies like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) are also an option. Surgery is the last resort, but it may be needed if nothing else is working.

Arthritis can affect your feet in the worst way, causing joint pain and inflammation that makes each and every step painful. Let us help you get the foot and toe relief you need, along with regaining your mobility. Call us or use our handy Book Online tool to make an appointment with us today.