Arthritis Specialist

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is the umbrella term for a range of conditions that cause inflammation in one or more of your joints. Arthritis can occur in your ankle, foot, or toes, making walking difficult.

There is no cure for arthritis, but treatment of the symptoms allows you to lead an active and healthy life. Speak with Dr. D’Ortone about how to treat your arthritis.

What are the different kinds of arthritis?

There are three main types of arthritis that can affect your ankles, feet, and toes:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Post-traumatic arthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs from the excessive wear and tear on your joints over time. The cartilage wears away, causing the protective space to shrink. Without the protective space, the bones of the joint rub together and cause pain and inflammation.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where your body attacks the cartilage in your body. It can cause chronic pain in the joints of your ankles, feet, and toes. The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, but it’s believed there is a genetic component that could mean you’re at an increased risk if you have family members with rheumatoid arthritis.

Post-traumatic arthritis occurs when an injury damages the cartilage in the surface of your joint. An injury such as a dislocation or fracture leads to the breaking down of the cartilage protecting the joints in the area.

What are the symptoms of arthritis in the foot or ankle?

Arthritis can have a number of signs and symptoms, but the most common symptom is pain while moving. Pain can also become worse with energetic activity. You may notice swelling, warmth, or redness in the joint affected by arthritis. You might also have difficulty walking due to the pain in your feet caused by arthritis.

An exam at the Center for Foot and Ankle Excellence helps Dr. D’Ortone put a treatment plan in place after discussing your condition with you.

How is arthritis treated?

Arthritis can be treated with or without surgery. Treatments that Dr. D’Ortone recommends before resorting to surgery include lessening activities that aggravate the pain, losing weight, and physical therapy. Dr. D’Ortone may also suggest using a cane or wearing a brace to ease the pressure on the affected joints.

If you and Dr. D’Ortone decide surgery is the best option, he may recommend removal of loose cartilage in the affected joint as well as removal of inflamed tissue in a procedure called arthroscopic debridement. Another surgical option is the fusion of the bones at the joint. This limits your range of motion though and is not recommended unless other options have failed.

Arthritis can stop you from enjoying life, so if you’re worried the pain from arthritis is making you miss out on the activities you love, call the Center for Foot and Ankle Excellence or schedule an appointment online today for a consultation with Dr. D’Ortone.