Arthritis is a complex condition that can display itself through many complex symptoms. It often affects the extremities, including the feet. But can foot pain mean arthritis?
Of course, foot pain can have many different origins in terms of the exact cause that causes it to arise. Determining whether the pain is arthritic in origin can oftentimes take an inspection from your local podiatrist.
Can Foot Pain Mean Arthritis?
If you’re suffering from foot pain and are worried that it might be arthritic in origin, take a look at this guide that describes the relationship between these phenomena. The primary types of arthritis that can cause foot pain are described.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common varieties of arthritis, and one that can be challenging to treat due to its origin as an autoimmune condition. This type of arthritis has its origin in the small joints of the wrists, hands and feet. Over time, it can begin to impact the ankles, knees and elbows.
Rheumatoid arthritis will oftentimes impact the feet over time, making it one of the prime culprits in terms of the types of arthritis that can ultimately affect the feet. Treating RA can be somewhat difficult, with common treatments including medication, rest, and icing one’s joints. Consistent treatment habits like these can curb the discomfort and pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the overall most common form of arthritis and one of the leading causes of disability overall in the world. Also, osteoarthritis has the potential to impact any of the joints of the body but can quite commonly affect the feet and ankles.
Arthritic pain in the feet can impact many other parts of the body over time, and many types of arthritic pain actually have their origin in the feet. This is due to the fact that arthritic foot pain can travel up the body and affect other areas of the physique.
The most dependable treatments for Osteoarthritis are regular exercise and weight loss, should the patient be overweight. Beyond these preliminary measures, physical therapy and shoe insoles can also be of aid.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is an additional form of autoimmune arthritis. In this condition, the skin and joints are impacted by arthritis, which causes inflammation throughout the body. Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness are all common symptoms of this condition. In addition, there are some foot and ankle specific conditions that come about due to this condition.
- Achilles tendonitis: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon where it attaches to the bone.
- Nail psoriasis: A thickening and pitting of the toenails that can cause them to separate from the nail bed.
- Plantar fasciitis: Inflammation of the connective bands of connective tissues on the bottom of the feet.
- Dactylitis: A painful swelling of the tendons that run along the fingers or toes.
There are certain steps that you can take to curb the discomfort and pain that is produced from this type of arthritis. Some of these steps include regular exercise, rolling your feet on a tennis ball or other firm object, and selecting shoes that have a wide toe box and ankle support.
Lupus
Lupus is a type of arthritis that has a tendency to impact African Americans most commonly, especially women. This type of arthritis can cause a variety of symptoms, including rash, joint pain, fatigue, and in more serious cases, kidney disease.
Most individuals who suffer from lupus will find that it ultimately impacts the health of their feet, and that it causes them pain in this area of the body. Ultimately, lupus has the potential to impact the nervous system in a serious way, including in the feet.
Gout
Gout is a condition that arises when the body makes too much of a natural substance known as uric acid. The excess of this substance is deposited in the joints of the body, which has the potential to cause intense pain and swelling in the feet.
The development of gout can be prevented in general by choosing a healthy lifestyle and avoiding certain foods. Foods that are high in high-fructose corn syrup and similar substances can trigger episodes of gout, or cause the emergence of the disease in general.
The Top Foot Doctor in California
Heel Pain Institute of California is one of the top resources available for patients in California who are looking to have various ailments of the feet resolved. If you’re suffering from arthritic foot pain and are looking to resolve this issue with ankle arthritis treatment, don’t hesitate to reach out and set up an appointment.