Treatments for Painful Foot and Ankle Arthritis
What is arthritis?
Well, imagine your foot is like a complex machine with many small parts that work together to help you walk, run, and move around. Not only can you imagine it, but believe it! Unfortunately, the many small parts that make up the feet and ankles – the joints – can start to wear out, just like an engine may experience mechanical problems.
A worn-out machine will sputter and stop. A worn-out joint will feel stiff, swollen, and painful – making you want to stop moving. That’s because the protective cartilage within the joint has become thin or has disappeared altogether. Without this protective layer of cushioning, your bones rub against each other with every move – and that’s the pain we call “arthritis.”
What causes arthritis?
Arthritis happens for several reasons: First, there’s plain old aging. The joints are subject to wear and tear as the years go by. Second, a joint injury can promote arthritis. Finally, arthritis can flare up due to an underlying disease such as psoriasis, lupus, or gout.
You don’t have to endure pain and stiffness in your feet and ankles. Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm of Clifton Foot & Ankle Center can help relieve your pain and slow the progression of your arthritis.
Effective treatments include:
- Prescription medications in pill or topical cream form to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Custom orthotics to provide cushioning and support exactly where you need them.
- Physical therapy to reduce stiffness and improve joint flexibility.
- Footwear changes for maximum comfort and support.
- Injections that administer pain-relieving medication directly into the injured joint
- PRP/Prolotherapy to boost the body’s healing process.
- Braces or splints that help keep your feet and ankles in a comfortable position.
In combination, one or more of these treatments will often provide arthritis relief for months or even years. But if your arthritis worsens and nothing seems to help surgery may be an option. With surgery, Dr. Wilhelm can repair or replace worn-out parts so your joints can once again work smoothly.
You have many options to treat painful foot and ankle arthritis. Discuss them with Dr. Wilhelm at our Centreville (Fairfax County) podiatry office. Call (703) 996-3000 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
