Many people take for granted the health and function of their feet, but if you’re suffering from arthritis, even the simplest actions can be difficult or impossible to perform. Arthritis occurs when there is inflammation of the joint, in this case of the ankle or toe joints, and typically presents as swelling, stiffness, deformity, and discomfort. Even mild cases of arthritis can become more significant and painful in a short period of time due to the fact that the body’s entire weight falls onto the feet and ankles and the most basic activities require substantial use of this area.
At Towson Orthopaedic Specialists, we focus on providing the highest level of care and treatment for foot and ankle arthritis, and we offer a number of non-surgical and surgical treatment options to help you regain mobility, comfort, and the highest quality of life possible.
If you have additional questions about arthritis of the feet and ankles, including which type of arthritis you may be experiencing, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced orthopaedic physicians, please contact us today.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Arthritis
The feet have more than 30 joints, so it’s important to take excellent care of this area so you can enjoy being active throughout life. We believe that utilizing all available conservative methods is the best approach to treating arthritis before attempting more invasive surgical procedures. Your unique anatomic indicators will help us determine which minimally invasive techniques may be able to alleviate your arthritis symptoms, and they may include physical therapy, stretching, losing weight, eating a healthy and nutritious diet, steroid injections, anti-inflammatory medications, orthotics, arch supports, braces, and custom-made shoes. If your doctor suggests weight loss, you may be concerned that typical exercises like running and sports may cause discomfort. Swimming, light aerobics, and short-distance walking may be more suitable for your condition. Our physicians will be happy to discuss a full range of options that suit your interests and needs.
Surgical Options for Foot and Ankle Arthritis
In the event non-invasive methods can’t alleviate discomfort and more advanced modalities are necessary to achieve your goals, our experienced orthopedic surgeons will customize a surgical treatment plan that offers you the best possible results with the shortest amount of recovery. If you decide to undergo surgery, such as joint replacement or fusion surgery, we are fully trained in minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques that are state-of-the-art, and we offer a unique rapid recovery program with advanced pain management methods. As a result, you typically will have a smaller scar and less downtime than you would after traditional open surgery.
