Arthritis Foot – Keep Your Feet Healthy!

Arthritis foot disease is a degenerative condition that often results in major damage to joints. This disease results in symptoms such as pain, inflammation, stiffness, and loss of range of motion. While most any joint and even the spine can be afflicted with arthritis, foot problems can be one of the more painful targets of the disease. Foot and ankle joints affected by arthritis can most definitely lead to debilitating pain and negatively impact your ability to lead an active lifestyle. For this reason, it is imperative that you visit your physician and begin treatment immediately after the onset of Arthritis Foot symptoms.

Since there are many different forms of arthritis, foot problems related to the disease can be attributable to one of several types of arthritis. The most common form is known as osteoarthritis, which is a gradual wearing away of the cartilage in the foot joints. In this disease, swelling and pain result in major difficulties standing or walking. Another common form of an Arthritis Foot disease that can affect the feet and ankles is rheumatoid arthritis. This is by far the most severe and crippling version of arthritis foot disease, and can often lead to such severe loss of cartilage that joints can no longer hold their shape and become deformed.

There is an arthritis foot condition that affects only the feet known as Gout. In this type of Arthritis Foot disease, foot problems are caused by a collection of excess uric acid crystals in the joints of the foot and ankles. Typically the big toe is the most severely painful, as it is the focal point of your body’s weight with each step. Gout can strike at any age and men are more likely to contract this form of arthritis foot disease than women. Gout can be caused by overindulgence in alcohol or a diet too high in red meats or internal organs.

The treatments for Arthritis Foot conditions involve standard care of the disease such as anti-inflammatories and pain medications, but there are also joint relief products to prevent and treat arthritis of the foot. One of the ways your doctor can help you treat your foot arthritis problems is with the use of orthotics. These are specially designed and custom fitted insoles which provide support and relief to achy and swollen feet. Your doctor may also recommend that you be fitted for custom shoes designed specifically for the needs of an Arthritis Foot condition. Whatever the form of arthritis, foot problems are manageable and should not be ignored.