TCO NEWS
Foot Arthritis Kennewick
Foot Arthritis Kennewick
Foot pain and swelling in the joints could be signs of foot arthritis. If left untreated, this foot pain can grow worse as time passes, inevitably becoming so excruciating that you can no longer walk even short distances may be overly painful. Advanced arthritis can hinder your mobility and put limits on your quality of life, but with proper treatment, the development of foot arthritis can be slowed leading to a more productive life.
Osteoarthritis of the foot
The most common type of foot arthritis is osteoarthritis, the results are from “wear and tear” to joint cartilage (the soft tissue between joint bones) that comes with age. The result is inflammation, redness, swelling and pain in the joint.
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the foot
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease where cells of the immune system malfunction and attack healthy joints causing inflammation in the lining (synovium) of joints. The joints on the hands and feet are mostly effected. Pain, swelling, redness, and a feeling of warmth around affected joints are signs of inflammation. Chronic inflammation can result in damage to the cartilage and bones in the joint. Serious damage can lead to joint destruction, deformity, and disability.
When joints become inflamed due to RA, the synovium thickens and produces an excess of joint fluid. This overabundance of fluid, along with inflammatory chemicals released by the immune system, causes swelling and damage to the joint’s cartilage and bones.
Symptoms Affecting the Foot
The most common signs and symptoms of RA-related foot problems are appearance of deformities , swelling, pain, joint stiffness, and difficulty walking.
Deformities and conditions associated with RA may include:
- Dislocated toe joints
- Rheumatoid nodules (lumps), which cause pain when they rub against shoes or, if they appear on the bottom of the foot, pain when walking
- Hammertoes
- Bunions
- Achilles tendon pain
- Flatfoot
- Heel pain
- Ankle pain
Posttraumatic Foot Arthritis
Posttraumatic arthritis can develop after an injury or trauma to the foot. Fractures and or dislocations—particularly those that damage the surface of the joint—are the most common injuries that lead to post traumatic arthritis. Like osteoarthritis, posttraumatic arthritis causes the cartilage between the joints to wear away. It can develop many years after the initial injury. An injured joint is almost seven times more likely than an uninjured joint to become arthritic, even if the injury was properly treated.
FAUSTIN R. STEVENS, MD
Board Certified & Fellowship Trained Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon
Tri-Cities – Richland, Kennewick and Pasco Washington
