Just about everyone relies on the strength and stability of their feet and ankles when it comes to completing the normal activities of daily life. From walking around the house to running errands, our feet enable us to complete these activities. When there is foot pain or ankle pain, any kind of movement that involves the use of our feet can be next to impossible, depending on the level of pain and discomfort.
When that severe pain is caused by foot and ankle arthritis, patients may be unable to go about their days indefinitely. Arthritis is a general term for over 1o0 diseases that all fall under the umbrella of arthritis term. The primary symptom of arthritis is joint inflammation which may cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. Internally, the areas in and around your affected joints are inflamed.
Inflammatory arthritis is a degenerative condition that causes deterioration of the cartilage (cushioning) found between the bones of a joint. When the cartilage breaks down over time, the bones rub against one another and become quite painful. Patients may experience severe pain, limited range of motion, joint function loss, and (in the worst cases) common deformity.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis because it is associated with aging. Arthritis foot pain can occur in various locations throughout the foot, including the top of the foot. If a patient is suffering pain in the mid-foot bone region, that may signify that they are developing arthritis in the inner mid-foot bone or the outer mid-foot bone.
They are tasked with carrying our body weight and providing us with the range of motion to walk and run. In our feet, there are 26 separate bones. Where these bones rub together are the locations where the bone joint cartilage wears down. The midfoot region can be compared to the joint area between the wrists and hands. The tarsal bones are long and tubular, and the joints for these bones need to accommodate all the types of surfaces that you may walk on.
There are a few common symptoms associated with arthritis in the top of the foot. These include:
No matter where the pain of the foot and ankle arthritis is located, it is important to determine the source that is causing pain and develop ways to relieve pain quickly.
Because the most common reason that the midfoot is affected by arthritis foot pain is due to general wear and tear over time, that means one of the top causes of midfoot arthritis is osteoarthritis. There are some other risk factors and causes as well. These include:
If you believe that you are enduring pain related to foot and ankle arthritis, seek out the professional medical assistance of our foot and ankle specialists at Rogers Foot and Ankle Institute in Saratoga Springs, UT.
Thankfully, arthritic joints in the midfoot and the pain they cause can usually be treated without resorting to invasive surgical procedures. At Rogers Foot and Ankle Institute, our specialists will likely recommend the following arthritis treatments to provide the pain relief that you need:
When the pain from foot arthritis affects the top of the foot, patients may develop bone spurs from the arthritis joint. Sometimes, the only treatment that will have a positive effect is surgery. This may include fusion surgery that fuses two or more bones into one larger bone. This foot surgery is designed to eliminate the arthritic joint.
Doctors may also consider joint replacement surgery and arthroscopic surgery to reduce swelling and pain. No matter which surgery is recommended and performed, patients will need to work with a physical therapist to work through pain from the surgery and regain full range of motion.
If you are experiencing pain, stiffness, and a lack of mobility in your foot or ankle region, you may have arthritis. When the pain is specifically coming from the midfoot or top of the foot area, you may have a bone spur from an arthritic joint. Any of these conditions can be very painful and difficult to live with. Rather than endure the discomfort, contact our ankle surgeons at Rogers Foot and Ankle Institute today.
Our podiatrists have the knowledge, skills, and training to make sure your foot and ankle arthritis symptoms are reduced or eliminated. We will examine your feet, determine the cause of your pain, and develop a customized treatment plan for your situation. to schedule a consultation. Contact us at 801-756-4200 to schedule a consultation today.
We look forward to getting you back on your feet.