Our bodies naturally change as we grow older. With over 30 joints in your feet and ankles, it’s no wonder that people often complain of foot pain as they age – there are so many moving parts! One major cause of foot pain in our elderly patients is a painful condition called osteoarthritis.
To help understand osteoarthritis, it’s important to know about how your joints work along with cartilage. A joint is where two or more of your bones intersect. Cartilage helps your joints work smoothly by providing a slick surface, allowing you to bend your joints with ease. Cartilage is mainly there to make sure your bones don’t rub together as you move. Unfortunately, joint cartilage naturally wears down as you age, causing your bones to run together, causing pain.
Osteoarthritis in your feet and ankles is typically centered around the big toe, the heel, and the top of the ankle. You may experience the following symptoms:
- Achey, stiff joints – especially right when you wake up
- Perpetual joint pain, weakness, or tenderness
- Pain or difficulty walking
- Limited movement in your joint
- Swelling in your joint
- A cracking noise each time you try to move your joint
What if I have osteoarthritis?
Arthritis is a progressive disease, which means it can worsen over time. That’s why it’s important to recognize all of the signs so it can be treated as early as possible. Our podiatrists offer many treatment methods to reduce pain and slow osteoarthritis’ progression. After a consultation, they will likely recommend a combination of these treatment methods:
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Custom orthotics
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Solving other foot ailments that might be contributing to arthritis pain
- Surgery
If you are dealing with pain stemming from any of your joints in your foot or ankle, we are here to help! At Foot and Ankle Specialists of Central Ohio, our team of experienced podiatrists provide a wide range of treatments for our patients. Whether you have a chronic condition like arthritis or diabetes, or need treatment for an acute injury, we are here to provide the highest quality podiatric care. Contact any of our offices in Gahanna, Columbus, and Newark, OH to schedule an appointment today!
