| Unfortunately, there are more than 100 different | | | | chronic and its apparent that it's not going away by |
| kinds of arthritis that can affect the human body. | | | | it's self, sit down and write everything you remember |
| The most common form, however, is known as | | | | about the pain: when did it start, how long does it |
| osteoarthritis. This form develops as we all get older | | | | hurt for, does it hurt during exercise or after, does it |
| and is known as the wear and tear style of arthritis. | | | | hurt at night when you sleep, does it get worse |
| What happens essentially is that the cartilage that | | | | when you walk or run and does it migrate to |
| covers the end of the bones wears out. | | | | different parts of the foot and ankle? |
| The result is some of the worst pain you can | | | | When you get to the doctors office, you can expect |
| experience, as well as swelling and inflammation in the | | | | to give the doctor your medical history and the |
| joint. The tough thing about arthritis, it can develop in | | | | contents of your pain diary. He or she will then give |
| a joint that was injured, even if the injury happened | | | | you a physical exam to try to detect the cause of |
| years, or even decades before. This is known as | | | | the pain you're feeling. |
| traumatic arthritis and has the same symptoms as | | | | The doctor may also do what is called a gait analysis. |
| osteoarthritis. | | | | This is a test so that the doctor can see how you |
| Since there are so many bones and joints in the | | | | walk and see how your leg and foot line up. If the |
| foot, it is a prime spot for the development of | | | | doctor isn't able to make a proper diagnosis based on |
| arthritis. If it does develop in the foot, it can alter the | | | | the information so far, he may request a series of |
| way you walk, therefore putting strain and pressure | | | | x-rays to be done to see if the bones have |
| on parts of the foot where there was none before | | | | degraded at all in the foot. Other tests, such as a CT |
| and that can bring on a whole host of other | | | | scan or an MRI might be used as well. |
| problems. | | | | Treating your arthritis is difficult. There is no cure and |
| The parts of the foot that are most commonly | | | | often the damage suffered isn't reversible. |
| affected by arthritis are the ankle joint, the heel, the | | | | Treatment is geared towards relieving pain more than |
| arch and the big toe. The big toe is also a prime spot | | | | anything. A doctor will usually prescribe the use of |
| for the development of painful bunions. | | | | over-the-counter pain killers, such as Tylenol or Advil |
| The symptoms of arthritis in the foot is pretty | | | | to kill pain. |
| straight forward. If you're experiencing stiffness, | | | | Supports in the shoes are another common |
| nagging, throbbing pain, tenderness, swelling and | | | | treatment that can cut down on pain. Using a brace |
| reduced motion, you might have arthritis. Also, not | | | | or a cane might be necessary as the arthritis gets |
| being able to walk for long distances is another sign | | | | worse. For severe cases, surgery is common. |
| of possible arthritic problems. | | | | Overall, arthritis isn't a fun process. It can be |
| Getting your arthritis diagnosed isn't a difficult | | | | debilitating and extremely painful. But if you take care |
| process, but you can help your doctor out a bunch | | | | of your feet over time, watch your weight and wear |
| by keeping a pain journal. Once the pain becomes | | | | properly fitted shoes, you should be able to avoid it. |