If you are experiencing pain in your toe joints and the joints in your feet and ankles, you could be developing arthritis in your feet and ankles. Your podiatrist can help. Dr. David Levitsky at Clinton Foot & Ankle Clinic offers comprehensive podiatry services, including diagnosis and treatment of arthritis in your feet and ankles. He has three convenient office locations in Clinton, Jonesville, and Saline, MI.
What You Need to Know about Arthritis and Your Feet
Arthritis is inflammation of your joints. There are three primary types of arthritis which may develop in your feet and ankles:
- Osteoarthritis, which is caused by cumulative wear–and-tear
- Rheumatoid arthritis, which is caused by autoimmune issues and has a genetic component
- Post-Traumatic arthritis, which develops after an injury to your feet or ankles
If you let arthritis go untreated, it can lead to:
- Joint pain and degenerative changes
- Loss of flexibility and range-of-motion
- Loss of mobility and decreased quality of life
If you think you might be developing arthritis, make an appointment with your podiatrist as soon as you can. Early treatment of arthritis can lead to less pain and a better outcome.
Your podiatrist may begin treatment with non-surgical options like these:
- Physical therapy to maintain flexibility and range of motion
- Exercises to strengthen the muscles of your feet and ankles
- Medications to limit swelling and reduce pain
- Joint injections to relieve pain and reduce swelling
- Custom-made ankle or foot braces, and orthotics
More severe cases of arthritis may need surgery. Common surgical treatment options include:
- Arthroscopic debridement, which cleans out loose cartilage, inflamed tissue, and bone spurs from your joints
- Arthrodesis, which fuses the bones in a joint to eliminate motion and pain
- Joint replacement, which replaces a damaged joint with a prosthetic joint
Want to Know More?
To learn more about how treatment for arthritis in your feet and ankles, call Dr. David Levitsky at Clinton Foot & Ankle Clinic. You can reach him in any of his locations in Clinton, Jonesville, or Saline, MI, by calling (517) 456-4114. Call today.