Arthritis

Living with arthritis is frustrating; even the simplest movements hurt. Detection can be tricky because arthritis symptoms vary widely. The disease may start slowly or pain may appear out of the blue. You may have several days without discomfort, and then your pain erupts again. If you suspect you have arthritis in your foot, you need timely treatment. Dr. Velimir Petkov and the staff at the podiatry clinic in Clifton, New Jersey provide the best possible pain relief for foot arthritis in northern New Jersey, just a half-hour from NYC. Call today for an appointment.

Arthritis is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States. At least 54 million Americans — including 300,000 babies and children — have been medically diagnosed with some form of arthritis. By 2040, this number is expected to grow to more than 78 million.

Your best bet to control arthritis in your foot or ankle is early detection. A highly trained arthritis doctor like foot specialist Dr. Velimir Petkov, DPM treats ankle and foot arthritis effectively, since he has access to the latest treatment options. He and the rest of the team at Premier Podiatry in Clifton, NJ provide you with all the relevant information so you can make an informed decision about treating your arthritis.

Causes of Arthritis

Although there are 100 different types of arthritis, only a few frequently plague the feet. The most common types of arthritis in the foot are:

• Osteoarthritis. Common among older adults, osteoarthritis is the result of wear and tear. The condition develops when the cartilage in your joints wears away. Your bones then rub directly against each other, causing pain and inflammation.
• Rheumatoid arthritis. This chronic condition occurs when your immune system attacks the lining of the joint. Over time, the damage becomes so severe that the cartilage and bone within the joint disintegrate. Untreated rheumatoid arthritis foot pain can result in disability.
• Posttraumatic arthritis. Ankle and foot injuries or fractures often lead to arthritis in the foot.
• Gout. Once known as the “disease of kings” due to its association with a rich diet, gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis. It develops from high levels of uric acid in the blood, which causes inflammation and throbbing pain.
• Midfoot arthritis. Usually the result of an injury, midfoot arthritis is characterized by a bony growth on the top of your foot.

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Risk Factors for Arthritis in the Foot

While foot arthritis can happen to anyone, certain factors lead to an increase in the odds that it will appear. Some of the most common risk factors include:

• Genetics. Certain types of arthritis tend to run in families.
• Age. The occurrence of most types of arthritis increases with age.
• Weight. Obesity puts excess stress on your feet, which has a high correlation with arthritis.
• Gender. Women suffer more often from rheumatoid arthritis, while gout appears more frequently in men.
• Trauma. Foot injuries often precede the appearance of arthritis. Sprained ankles, impact the ball of your foot,  while Achilles tendon conditions eventually require foot and ankle arthritis treatment.

Arthritis Symptoms

Arthritis in the foot can be difficult to diagnose since not every ache or pain is a result of arthritis. At the same time, ankle or foot arthritis often mimics the consequences of too much exercise. But common symptoms of the disease include:

• Pain in your ankle joint and feet
• Muscle atrophy
• Stiffness and swelling
• Redness and warmth around your ankle or feet
• Painful and limited movement
• Inability to move the joint without assistance
• Increased foot pain and swelling after sitting or resting
• Pressure on the joint that causes pain

The subtleties of foot arthritis symptoms can make an accurate diagnosis difficult. During your first visit to our best-rated podiatry doctor at Premier Podiatry, your trained arthritis doctor reviews your medical history and performs a complete examination to check the flexibility and tenderness of your foot joints. To determine the correct foot and ankle arthritis treatment, he may order imaging tests, such as a digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, a CT scan or an MRI.

Foot and Ankle Arthritis Treatment

Once Dr. Petkov discovers the source of your discomfort, he can design a customized treatment plan to deliver arthritis foot pain relief. The best podiatrists begin treatment with non-invasive treatments, such as over-the-counter pain medications. You also may get home-care instructions, like using orthotics in your shoes, losing weight, doing low-impact exercises and alternating cold and heat treatments.

If your condition is severe enough, you may need prescription-strength pain-relieving drugs. But Dr. Petkov has many other treatments available if conservative methods don’t provide pain relief for foot arthritis. For extreme cases, surgical options are available. One of the most effective procedures is cheilectomy, during which your podiatrist removes the bony mass from the top of your foot.

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