Foot and ankle arthritis can keep you from your favorite activities, but professional podiatry care can improve the pain and get you back on your feet. At Blue Sky Foot & Ankle in Boulder, Colorado, board-certified podiatrist Meghan Morgan, DPM, provides complete care for foot and ankle arthritis. After a thorough podiatric exam, she makes personalized recommendations to relieve pain and promote mobility. Call Blue Sky Foot & Ankle today to schedule a visit, or book your appointment online.
Foot and ankle arthritis causes joint pain and inflammation. There are many etiologies that can cause arthritis. Here is more information on the two most common to affect your foot and ankle:
Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage –– a soft tissue in your body that cushions the joints –– breaks down because of wear-and-tear. Without cartilage, the bones in your foot rub against each other at the arthritic joint, resulting in stiffness and pain.
Gout is a type of arthritis that commonly affects the big toe joint. Through this metabolic condition, excess uric acid will form as crystals inside joints (or other areas of the foot and ankle), causing intense pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
Foot and ankle arthritis symptoms include:
Arthritis often affects only a few joints at first, but as the condition worsens, it may affect more joints as well. Without professional intervention, managing symptoms can become increasingly difficult.
Dr. Morgan reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when the pain began, where it’s located, and if certain activities, like walking or exercising, tend to worsen it.
Next, she examines your foot and ankle. Dr. Morgan looks for signs of inflammation, and will assess your range of motion and quality of joint mobility. She watches you walk (a screening called a gait analysis) and orders X-rays to check the severity of the bone and joint damage.
At Blue Sky Foot & Ankle, Dr. Morgan will typically start arthritis treatment with a conservative and integrative approach. She could suggest:
Most people with foot and ankle arthritis benefit from several treatments. Dr. Morgan monitors your symptoms at regular appointments and adjusts your care as needed.
If your arthritis doesn’t improve with conservative care, Dr. Morgan might recommend surgery. She offers several types, including minimally invasive and traditional open surgery.
Call Blue Sky Foot & Ankle today to schedule an appointment, or book your appointment online.