We put a lot of strain on our feet every day, and all that stress adds up over the years. If you’re one of the millions of people dealing with pain, discomfort, swelling, stiffness and soreness in your feet and ankles, there’s a decent chance that you’re dealing with the progression of foot arthritis.
Arthritis can affect any joint in our body, but given the number of joints in the feet and the amount of stress they handle each and every day, this is a common location for arthritic degeneration to take place. When cartilage and protective surfaces wear down after years of stress, bone on bone contact can occur, leading to all sorts of uncomfortable symptoms. Fortunately, you don’t just have to accept this discomfort as the new normal. In today’s blog, we explore how you can work to overcome and prevent achy feet caused by arthritic degeneration.
Understanding Foot Arthritis
As we mentioned above, the foot is a common location for arthritis to develop. With 26 bones and more than 30 joints in each foot, osteoarthritis can develop in a number of different areas, but the most common locations for it to set in include:
- The big toe joint
- The midfoot (top of the arch)
- The ankle joint
Arthritis develops when the protective cartilage that cushions your bones breaks down, leading to less fluid motion in the joint. This arthritic degeneration can occur for a number of reasons, only some of which are preventable. Some of the causes and contributing factors to arthritic degeneration in our feet include:
- Natural aging
- Obesity
- Repetitive strain
- Acute injury
- Underlying health conditions (immune disorders can cause the body to mistakenly attack healthy cartilage).
- Genetics that contribute to certain foot shapes (high arches, flat feet, etc.)
Preventing And Managing Foot Arthritis
You’ll follow many of the same steps if you’re looking to manage arthritis, prevent its onset or slow its progression. Some of the best ways to combat arthritis in your feet and ankles include:
Regular Exercise – Although we mentioned that repetitive strain can contribute to arthritis onset, that doesn’t mean that you should live a sedentary life if you’re hoping to keep your feet functioning optimally. Regular exercise can put healthy stress on your feet and ensure they remain strong and functional for years to come. Be careful not to overdo it, but be sure to regularly test your feet with controlled exercise a few times a week.
Weight Management – Shedding a few pounds can take a lot of strain off your feet, which can be really protective of the joints in your feet. The more you weigh, the more stress your feet are under when you move, so working to get towards a healthier weight can help ward off destructive joint degeneration.
Physical Therapy – PT can do wonders for patients looking to prevent or manage foot arthritis. Physical therapy will work to strengthen key structures to ensure they can handle the stress they are under, and it will help to promote optimal movement and function.
Footwear – Getting your feet in a supportive shoe can also help with arthritis related issues. A comfortable and supportive shoe, coupled with an orthotic insert, can help shift how stress is dispersed across your foot, which can protect certain areas of your foot from overstress.
Of course, if you really want to get a handle on your arthritis issue, connect with a foot and ankle specialist in your area. They’ll be able to give you individualized recommendations based on your needs and your goals. For more information about foot and ankle arthritis, or to connect with Dr. Silverman about a foot issue you’re dealing with, connect with him here!