An Arthritic foot can come in many different shapes and forms and can cause a great deal of pain. The condition can make it uncomfortable to do basic everyday activities such as walking or standing. Fortunately, there are ways to treat an Arthritic foot right in the comfort of your own home.
Leaving an Arthritic foot untreated can lead to more health problems down the line. Mostly because this condition immobilizes you, which prevents you from being active. Arthritis can vandalize the quality of your life, but it’s important to remember that there are ways to alleviate symptoms.
Heavenly Foot Care is a mobile podiatry service that can help treat your Arthritic foot directly in your home. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our foot care specialists.
What Causes An Arthritic Foot?
As we age, our joints take a beating. The older we get, the more at risk we are for developing a painful condition known as arthritis. Arthritis is damage to the joints causing inflammation and swelling. When the joints are swollen, they can be painful to touch which makes living with this condition extremely uncomfortable.
Arthritis can develop all over your foot, but it’s most commonly found in the ankle and big toe. Over time, the condition wears down your joints, making it more difficult to support our body weight. When the absence of these joints, the bones in your feet begin to collide. Numerous types of arthritis are painful, but there are steps you can take to reduce the pain caused by this unpleasant condition.
Different Types Of Arthritis
As mentioned above, arthritis comes in many different shapes and forms. Most types of arthritis are painful, but all can be treated. Here are the most common types of arthritis found in our patients:
Osteoarthritis – This type of Arthritis is most commonly found in middle-aged patients. This is the “wear and tear” condition that causes your joints to deteriorate. As the condition worsens, the cartilage between the bones becomes tough. This causes the bones to collide which can be exceedingly painful when walking. Osteoarthritis develops slowly and gradually gets worse over time.
Rheumatoid Arthritis – This type of arthritis is caused by an autoimmune disease. This is when your immune system attacks itself. Rheumatoid arthritis can develop all over the body but usually begins in the feet. The immune system attacks the soft tissue surrounding the joints, causing them to weaken. After the soft tissue is nearly non-existent, the immune system will go after the bones, which can cause deformities. The direct cause of this condition is unknown, but it’s believed some people are more vulnerable to the disease based on their genetics.
Posttraumatic Arthritis – This type of arthritis occurs after a serious injury to the foot. When a massive amount of pressure is applied to the joints, it can cause them to break which leads to similar symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Symptoms Of Arthritis
The severity of symptoms can vary depending on the affected area and age. The most common symptom of arthritis is inflammation in the joints. The symptoms of arthritis are typically subtle in the beginning, and gradually get worse over time. The most common symptoms include:
- Pain when moving or standing
- Painful swelling in the joints
- Painful sensation after sleeping or sitting
- Redness around the joints
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, you must contact your doctor to conduct a formal examination.
Easy Ways To Treat Foot & Ankle Arthritis
Arthritis is a painful condition and can be a nuisance in your everyday life. However, there are a few things you can do to alleviate the symptoms right away:
Change Your Shoes
A lot of the pain from arthritis can be blamed on the shoes we are. Shoes that aren’t designed for arthritic patients can apply unwanted pressure on our joints, making it painful to move around. Instead, pick up a pair of shoes that are specifically made for arthritis feet, and you’ll start to notice the pain disappearing with each step. Our foot care specialists can even recommend the right shoes for an Arthritic foot.
Make Stretching A Daily Habit
Stretching is a great way to increase flexibility in our joints. You won’t notice the benefits from stretching overnight, but if you incorporate it into your daily routine, you’ll start to see significant improvements over time.
See A Podiatrist
Nobody will be able to treat your feet better than a professional foot care specialist. They can alleviate pain through foot massages, shoe recommendations, and even topical medications.
Contact Our Friendly Staff Today
Is your arthritis slowing you down, and preventing you from enjoying life’s basic pleasures? Heavenly Foot Care is a leading Mobile Podiatrist that specializes in arthritic foot treatment in St Catharines. Contact us today by calling (905) 931-9965 or emailing sherri@heavenlyfootcare.ca to book an appointment.