What You Need to Know About Foot and Ankle Arthritis

Arthritis in the ankle and foot is common in people over 60. In fact, almost half of people in their 60s and 70s have arthritis of the foot or ankle that may not cause symptoms.

There are more than thirty joints in your foot, and tough bands of tissues hold these joints together. When you develop arthritis in the joints in the foot, you may develop pain, and difficulty walking.

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms you might experience if you are suffering from ankle arthritis may be:

• Pain or tenderness in your feet
• Difficulty walking, moving, or supporting weight on your feet
• Stiffness or swelling in your foot or feet

Diagnosis

If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms or think you might have ankle arthritis, you should seek medical attention. In order to diagnose ankle or foot arthritis, your orthopedic specialist may recommend the following:

• A review of your medical history
• A gait analysis to measure your stride
• Bone scans
• X-rays
• An MRI

Treatment

While there are non-surgical options that can be recommended to help early stages of ankle arthritis, in some cases, surgery may be necessary.

• Arthroscopic Surgery – Arthroscopic surgery is usually used to help those with the early stages of ankle arthritis. During this surgery, an arthroscope is inserted into the joint allowing the surgeon to see. The surgeon will then use small forceps, knives, and shavers to remove any growths and foreign tissue causing the discomfort and pain. 

• Fusion Surgery – Fusion surgery, as the name suggests, involves fusing bones together with rods, pins, screws or plates. Once the bone heals, it will be fused together permanently. 

• Joint Replacement Surgery – In joint replacement surgery, the ankle joint is replaced by an artificial implant.

The right surgery for you will depend widely upon the type of arthritis that you have, and how advanced it is. Your doctor or orthopedic specialist will be able to recommend the surgery that’s best for you.

If you or your loved one has ankle or foot arthritis, contact Blackstone Orthopedics today for a consultation. We provide arthroscopic surgery as well as joint replacement surgery for Rhode Island and Massachusetts.