Arthritis Specialist

Why do I have arthritis?

An umbrella term for more than 100 different types of conditions, arthritis leads to chronic inflammation of one or more of your joints. Arthritis is sometimes an inherited ailment that runs in families. But you can also develop arthritis at any point in life due to:

• Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis 
• Old injury or trauma, a condition known as posttraumatic arthritis
• Wear-and-tear, or osteoarthritis, which is common among seniors
• Obesity, poor kidney function, or poor diet, which is gouty arthritis

It’s also possible to suffer from an arthritic condition if you develop a severe infection. This is known as septic arthritis. 

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

No matter what causes your arthritis, you’re likely going to feel joint pain as a primary symptom. Depending on the severity of your arthritic condition and which joints are affected, you may also notice any of the following symptoms in or around your joints:

• Inflammation
• Tenderness
• Stiffness 
• Swelling
• Redness 

As arthritis progresses, it can limit your range of motion and even make it uncomfortable for you to walk. If any of these symptoms affect you, the compassionate team at Foot & Ankle Specialty Center encourages you to come in as soon as possible for an arthritis evaluation. 

Which arthritis treatment do I need?

Your arthritis treatment plan from Foot & Ankle Specialty Center is going to include solutions to relieve pain and inflammation while improving joint mobility. While no cure exists for arthritis, your podiatrist provides treatment to target symptoms and delay or prevent the progression of the condition. 

Treating arthritis can include any of the following therapies:

• Cortisone injections 
• Activity modifications 
• Custom-molded orthotic inserts
• Physical therapy and daily exercises 
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Assistive devices, such as a walking cane or ankle-foot orthosis (AFO)

Foot & Ankle Specialty Center is home to a team of highly skilled board-certified podiatrists who can also perform minimally invasive procedures — often arthroscopically — to remove damaged tissues, realign joints, and make any other necessary repairs. 

Schedule your arthritis evaluation at Foot & Ankle Specialty Center through the website. You can also call the office directly to book your appointment.