Arthritis

ARTHRITIS MANAGEMENT TO IMPROVE YOUR LIFESTYLE

Arthritis is a disorder that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. This condition can occur anywhere in the body and affects people of every age, though most sufferers are generally older adults. For some people, arthritis can be an extremely debilitating condition, especially when it affects the feet and ankles. There is still no cure for it, but it can be successfully controlled with focused treatment and good lifestyle habits. The most common types of arthritis that affect the feet and ankles are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis. 


Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, which means that the pain and inflammation in the joints are caused by attacks from the body’s own immune cells. Osteoarthritis, also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, is a degenerative disorder that usually develops after the cartilage in the affected joint has worn away from years of overuse and activity. Post-traumatic arthritis occurs as a result of a previous injury. Even if the injury has healed properly, it can still develop many years after the fact. 


You may have arthritis if you experience the following symptoms:


  • Pain as you move or engage in intense physical activity
  • Tenderness that can be felt when pressure is applied on the affected joint
  • Swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected joint
  • Increased pain after periods of rest (in the morning after you get up, or after sitting)
  • Difficulties with walking due to pain and feelings of stiffness
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What causes arthritis in my feet and ankles?

    The identified cause(s) depends on the type of arthritis you are diagnosed with. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s own immune cells attack its joints, but it’s unclear as to what causes the immune cells to behave this way. It’s not considered a genetic disease, though some people may be more genetically predisposed to develop it under certain conditions. Environmental factors can act as “triggers” for manifesting this condition, which can include chronic exposure to tobacco smoke, hormonal levels, and stress. 


    Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in the joint is gradually worn away from years of regular use and intense physical activity. It is a slow-developing degenerative disease that causes worsening pain and stiffness over time. 


    Post-traumatic arthritis is also characterized by the progressive degeneration of cartilage in the joints. Unlike osteoarthritis, however, this type of arthritis is specifically caused by a previous injury such as a bone fracture or dislocated joint. 

  • Is it possible to prevent arthritis?

    It is possible to prevent or drastically reduce your chances of developing osteoarthritis and post-traumatic arthritis, but the same cannot be said for rheumatoid arthritis since its exact causes remain unidentified and unclear. To effectively lower your risk of developing arthritis in the feet, you can: 


     • Do exercises that are easier on your joints such as swimming and cycling


     • Maintain a healthy weight to avoid excessive stress on your joints during daily movement


     • Eat a healthy diet with all the essential nutrients


     • Keep a good posture and move around to avoid being in one position for too long


     • Give your body enough time to rest and recover after an intense workout


     • Follow general safety rules to prevent accidents (wear proper shoes and protective equipment, only exercise on even surfaces, pay attention to your surroundings, etc). 

  • Can I treat my arthritis at home?

    There are some good home remedies that can help relieve your arthritis symptoms. Many arthritis sufferers have benefited from trying the following therapies:


     • Heat treatments (warm showers or baths, heating pads, topical pepper cream, etc)


     • Cold treatments (ice packs, cooling pads, etc)


     • Mediation and stress management


     • Anti-inflammatory diets with fermented foods, probiotic supplements, and nutritional supplements (turmeric, fish oil, glucosamine, Vitamin D, etc)


     • Cannabidiol therapy (oral tinctures, topical creams/oils, capsules, etc)


     • Self-massage


     • OTC Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (topical or oral—aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve, Tylenol, etc)


     • Orthotic shoes or shoe inserts


     • Relaxing exercises such as yoga and tai chi 

  • When should I see a doctor for my arthritis?

    While joint pain is usually not a health emergency, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible if: 


     • Your pain and swelling haven’t improved or have worsened after a few days of home treatment


     • The pain is intense enough to interfere with your daily responsibilities


     • Your joint pain occurs immediately after injury


     • Your foot has a deformed appearance


     • You experience sudden severe symptoms like swelling and redness


     • You are unable to move the affected joint or foot


    You should see your doctor even if your arthritis is mild, so you can be guided on what you need to do to keep your condition at a controllable and manageable level. Even initially benign cases of arthritis can quickly spiral out of control if corrective measures are not taken in a timely manner.  

  • Can my arthritis heal on its own without treatment?

    There is currently no cure for arthritis, but it can be successfully managed with treatment and a balanced lifestyle. Even mild cases of arthritis require some form of intervention to prevent the rapid deterioration and intensification of symptoms.  

  • Are there complications for untreated arthritis in the feet?

    There are a lot of serious health complications that can occur if arthritis is allowed to ravage the feet without treatment, such as:


     • Hallux rigidus (the cartilage in the big toe joint is worn out so the toe is stiff and painful)


     • Bunions (bony deformity on the side of the big toe)


     • Lateral drift (the toes drift outwards to the pinky toe)


     • Contracture (permanent shrinkage of muscles and tendons of the toes) such as hammertoe


     • Flat feet 


     • Heel pain


     • Permanently limited movement


     • Osteonecrosis (bone death)


     • Stress fractures


     • Infection or bleeding in the joints


     • Degeneration of surrounding ligaments and tendons 

  • What medical treatments are available for the arthritis in my feet and ankles?

    The treatment you receive will depend on the following factors: the form of arthritis you are diagnosed with, the type and severity of your symptoms, and your family history. Possible medical therapies include:


     • Anti-inflammatory medications (both steroidal and non-steroidal, oral or injectable)


     • Prescription orthotic footwear or shoe inserts


     • Canes or braces for support during movement


     • Physical therapy


     • Therapeutic massage


     • Acupuncture 


     • Surgery 


    While arthritis isn’t curable at the moment, it is a very treatable condition. You don’t have to accept chronic foot and ankle pain as an unchangeable fact of life. By getting appropriate treatment and making restorative lifestyle choices, you can be confident in keeping your feet healthy and pain-free for years to come.