Arthritis in the Foot & Ankle

Risk Factors for Foot & Ankle Arthritis

Arthritis can be caused by aging, obesity, traumatic injury to the joint and certain autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Additional risk factors for foot and ankle arthritis include a history of ankle instability and previous trauma to the foot such as sprains or ligament injuries.

As arthritis in the foot and ankle progresses, it can cause pain, stiffness, and increasing difficulty walking, climbing stairs or sitting and rising.

Foot & Ankle Arthritis Diagnosis

Your doctor will take a complete medical and lifestyle history and conduct a physical exam of your foot and ankle. If your symptoms suggest arthritis, imaging exams may be done to confirm the diagnosis, including:

• MRI
• CT scans
• Weight-bearing CT scan

Foot and Ankle Arthritis Treatment Options

In most cases, conservative treatment and lifestyle changes are recommended for foot and ankle arthritis. These treatments are designed to reduce pain and swelling, and improve function and mobility.

Recommendations may include:

• Avoiding high-impact activities like running and jumping.
• Participating in low-impact exercises like swimming and yoga.
• Ankle bracing and/or compression to stabilize the joint.
• Cortisone injections to reduce pain and swelling.
• Pain and anti-inflammatory medications.
• Physical therapy.
• Weight loss.
• Custom shoe inserts (orthotics).

If conservative treatment doesn’t provide enough relief, surgical treatments range from minimally invasive procedures to ankle fusion and total ankle replacement. Your foot and ankle specialist will recommend the surgical procedure most likely to relieve your symptoms, restore mobility and meet your lifestyle goals.