Arthritis

What kinds of arthritis affect the feet and ankles?

Several kinds of arthritis can occur in your feet and ankle joints, including:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common kind of arthritis in the feet and ankles. It causes wear-and-tear damage within the joints. Osteoarthritis commonly affects the heel, mid-foot, big toe, and ankle joints. It’s usually unilateral, which means it happens on one side of your body.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can happen in any foot and ankle joint. It’s usually bilateral, which means it occurs simultaneously in both sides of your body.

Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs when you have an excess of uric acid in your body. The uric acid buildup leads to harmful crystallization that typically occurs in your big toe. Gout is usually unilateral.

Other types of arthritis can also affect your feet and ankles. Dr. Geoghan performs a comprehensive foot and ankle exam and discusses your symptoms with you to make a specific diagnosis and recommend the ideal treatment. 

What are the symptoms of arthritis in the feet and ankles?

Arthritis symptoms in your feet and ankles often include:

• Swelling
• Redness and warmth around the joint
• Pain when you move or touch the joint
• Joint stiffness
• Clicking sound when you move the affected joint
• Pain that increases at night 

Arthritis pain and other symptoms often appear gradually and slowly intensify. In some cases, as with a gout attack, symptoms can come on very suddenly. Regardless of how your symptoms start, Dr. Geoghan can offer fast relief. 

What does an arthritis treatment plan include?

Dr. Geoghan works with you to design a personalized symptom relief plan that usually involves both changes like losing extra weight and in-office treatments. Treatments often include:

• Joint strengthening exercises
• Custom orthotics
• Physical therapy
• Injection therapy
• Braces or other types of support devices

Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Therapy Laser is a very powerful noninvasive pain relief treatment for foot and ankle arthritis. The MLS has two lasers that create specific light wavelengths that pass through your skin to enter the tissue damaged by arthritis. 

The light triggers cellular recovery and reduces inflammation to significantly relieve pain in over 90% of patients. 

Learn more about the arthritis care innovations at Kelly L. Geoghan, DPM, by calling the office or scheduling an appointment online today.