Arthritis becomes more common as you become older, and this condition results in joint deterioration that can cause swelling, pain, and physical changes in your feet and ankles. If you have arthritis in your foot or ankle, doctors will frequently recommend a mix of treatments to alleviate pain and prevent future joint deterioration. Modifying activities that impose stress on the problematic joints, utilizing orthotic inserts and braces, taking medication, or obtaining corticosteroid injections can help with long-term pain reduction. In addition to some of the therapy listed below, people with rheumatoid arthritis may require drugs to manage the body’s immunological response. Here are some of the best treatment options for ankle arthritis.
Table of Contents
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a term used for a group of over 100 disorders. Inflammation and swelling can occur in and around your joints, as well as adjacent soft tissue. Many types of arthritis cause your joints to deteriorate over time. The smooth “cushioning” cartilage inside them gradually wears away. As a result, your bones rub against each other and wear down. Soft tissues in your joints may also begin to deteriorate. After some time, the joint might not work or move the way it should. Several forms of arthritis can cause foot and ankle pain.
Symptoms
- When you touch the joint, you will feel tenderness.
- It hurts when you move it.
- It isn’t easy to move, walk, or put weight on it.
- Stiffness, warmth, or swelling of the joints
- More swelling and pain after resting, such as sitting or sleeping
Best Treatment Options for Ankle Arthritis
Changes in Lifestyle
Limiting the amount of stress applied to the foot and ankle in the early stages of arthritis may alleviate pain. Such as, low-impact activities like swimming and yoga can provide cardiovascular benefits without strain on the foot or ankle.
Furthermore, decreasing weight may reduce joint pressure. When you stand or move, the foot and ankle support the entire body, and being overweight increases this pressure and may cause arthritis to progress more quickly.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Doctors frequently prescribe these drugs to reduce swelling and relieve discomfort in the arthritis-affected foot and ankle joints. NSAIDs are used orally, and many, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are available without a prescription. If these over-the-counter treatments do not relieve your arthritis-related pain, your doctor may prescribe a prescription medication.
Whether your doctor advises prescription or over-the-counter NSAIDs, they can advise you on the appropriate dosage for you, as well as how long you should maintain treatment. NSAIDs can induce nausea, diarrhea, and headaches, and a doctor should supervise long-term usage.
Braces and Orthotic Inserts
Wearing an orthotic insert, which goes into the shoe, or a foot or ankle brace can help relieve arthritis symptoms for some people. An insert or brace may ease pain and stiffness by reducing movement of the foot or ankle joint, making walking more comfortable.
Orthotic inserts come in a variety of sizes and stiffness levels. They can be inserted in the shoe to support various foot regions, depending on where your arthritis discomfort is. Orthotic inserts relieve pain by transferring the body’s weight to different portions of the foot, reducing the amount of stress placed on arthritic areas of the foot.
Braces are also available in a variety of sizes and amounts of support. Some are flexible and worn in addition to conventional shoes, while others look like a cast and cover a portion of the foot and ankle. A simple brace may be all you need if you plan to spend the day in a setting that demands minimal walking. If your employment needs you to be on your feet all day, a more supportive brace may be a better option.
Inserts and braces available at pharmacies can be effective in some cases. If the doctor suggests that a brace or orthotic insert tailored to the shape of your foot would be more beneficial. In that case, specialists can personalize a brace or orthotic insert to ensure it offers the support you require.
Injections of Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that, when injected directly into arthritic joints, can reduce swelling and pain for up to six months.
A needle is used to inject steroid medication into the joint space by doctors, and a little dose of anesthetic is usually included in the steroid solution. For improved precision, surgeons may employ live X-ray or ultrasound guidance during the treatment if arthritis affects tiny joints, such as those in the front of the foot.
Corticosteroid injections are an outpatient method, which means you can leave immediately. The anesthetic administered numbs the foot or ankle for 30 to 60 minutes, after which pain may return. After two to three days, the corticosteroids begin to relieve discomfort.
Steroids can cause side effects such as nausea and discoloration at the injection site. Most doctors prescribe no more than two steroid shots every year.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and think you might have arthritis, you should consult an orthopedic. You can visit Marham if you want to get expert advice from the best specialist. You can book an appointment through Marham with the Best Orthopedic in Lahore.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is walking beneficial for ankle arthritis?
That is undoubtedly true for persons who have arthritis; many of them avoid exercising when a hip, knee, ankle, or other joint hurts. Although that technique appears to make logic, it may end up causing more harm than good. Walking on most days of the week can help relieve arthritis pain and improve other symptoms.
2. What is end-stage ankle arthritis?
It is a crippling disorder characterized by pain and swelling in the ankle joint, exacerbated by standing and ambulation. Ankle arthritis is frequently caused by a history of trauma or a series of recurring ankle injuries.
3. Is it possible to remove arthritis from the ankle?
If pain, stiffness, and swelling caused by ankle arthritis do not respond to medical treatment. In that case, orthopedic surgeons may recommend surgery to clean out the arthritic joint, fuse and stabilize a painful joint, or replace the arthritic joint with a prosthetic one.
