Arthritis – Foot & Ankle
Description
There’s pain. There’s swelling. There’s stiffness. It hurts. It could be arthritis, the general name for more than 100 types. Learn more about how it affects the foot and ankle and what can be done to help.
Causes & Triggers
- Aging
- Cartilage wear-and-tear
- Environmental factors
- Fracture, injury or trauma
- Triggers such as infection
Signs & Symptoms
- Balance issues
- Decreased range of motion
- Difficulty walking, moving or bearing weight
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
Tips & Treatment
- There are 28 bones and more than 30 joints in the foot.
- There are three different types of arthritis affecting foot and ankle:
- Osteoarthritis: caused by degeneration of the cartilage covering the bones
- Post-Traumatic Arthritis: joints are seven times more likely to become arthritic after injury, fracture or trauma, even if properly treated
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: the body’s immune system attacks joints causing pain, swelling, stiffness and deformity
