
CONNECTING THE DOTS
Podiatric Care
for Arthritis
Simply stated, arthritis is inflammation of the joints. If you have trouble getting around because you feel joint pain, stiffness, and swelling anywhere in your feet or ankles, then you could be suffering from arthritis.
Please let Bay Area Foot & Laser Podiatry Group help you get relief and get moving again. During your visit, Dr. Jonathan Huey evaluates your condition, listens to how it impacts your life, and gives you a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Gout / Gouty Arthritis
If you feel intense pain coming on in your joint followed by warmth, swelling and redness, then you might be experiencing a gout attack. This happens when too much uric acid crystallizes in the joint. Gout commonly occurs in the big toe joint and can also affect the ankle, knee, elbow and wrist joints.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis is a gradual wearing down of the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones. It can damage any joint. Inflammation and stiffness in the joint where your big toe meets your foot is a form of osteoarthritis. If you can’t bend your stiff big toe fully because of it, then you have a condition called Hallux Limitus. If you can’t bend your stiff big toe at all, then you have what’s called Hallux Rigidus.
Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
If you have joint pain, stiffness, or swelling of your toes and they look like sausages (a.k.a. sausage toes), then you might have Psoriatic Arthritis. It can affect the bottom of your feet and heels, too.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
If you have inflammation in the same joint of both feet or ankles, then it’s an indication of Rheumatoid Arthritis. This autoimmune form of arthritis inflames the joint lining causing pain and swelling. Also, it can affect other joints in your body.
Post-traumatic Arthritis
If you’ve ever dislocated a joint or fractured a bone, then you could develop Post-traumatic Arthritis. Often, people don’t notice the problem until years later. It’s important to tell Dr. Huey if you ever had an injury where you’re currently experiencing pain, stiffness, or swelling.
If you feel joint pain, stiffness, or swelling in your feet or ankles for any reason, we can help. Please come and see us for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
For in-depth information about arthritis, we think the Arthritis Foundation is a great resource.