ARTHRITIS

You may have arthritis if you regularly experience foot or ankle pain, and it doesn’t improve with rest, ice, or elevation. Fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon, David Larson, DPM, uses minimally invasive treatments to relieve arthritis pain and improve mobility. To make an appointment, call the office in Mesa or Phoenix, Arizona, or request an appointment online today.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis refers to a group of more than 100 diseases that causes joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. There’s no cure for arthritis, but healthy lifestyle changes, prescription medication, and activity modification can reduce swelling, increase your mobility, and improve your quality of life.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

If you have foot and ankle arthritis, you may notice:

• Pain
• Tenderness
• Reduced ability to move or walk
• Joint stiffness
• Joint swelling

As the disease progresses, you might also have to change the way you walk or use a mobility device, like a cane or a walker.

What are the different types of arthritis that affect the feet and ankles?

Different types of arthritis affect the feet and ankles, including:

• Osteoarthritis
• Gout
• Arthritis of the big toe (hallux rigidus)
• Restriction of the big toe joint (hallux limitus)
• Ankle arthritis
• Hindfoot arthritis
• Midfoot arthritis

Dr. Larson also treats rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes the lining of your joints (synovium) to break down and deteriorate.

How is arthritis diagnosed?

To diagnose foot and ankle arthritis, Dr. Larson reviews your health records and asks about your symptoms, including where the pain occurs, if it extends into your leg, and if it’s worse during certain activities, like work or exercise.

Next, Dr. Larson completes a physical exam. He checks your foot and ankle for redness, swelling, or bruising and presses on your skin to pinpoint sensitive areas. Dr. Larson also conducts a test called a gait analysis, which measures your stride and the way you walk. 

In addition, he might order X-rays, CT scan, or MRI to get a better look at your bones and joints and assess the extent of the damage.

How are foot and ankle arthritis treated?

In most cases, Dr. Larson uses conservative or minimally invasive approaches to relieve the symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis. He might recommend:

• Losing weight
• Wearing prescription shoes or custom orthotics
• Shoe inserts that support your foot or ankle
• Physical therapy
• Bracing 
• Pain relievers
• Corticosteroid injections
• Assistive devices, like crutches or a walker

If your symptoms continue or affect your quality of life, Dr. Larson might recommend surgery. As an experienced foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Larson performs both traditional open and minimally invasive surgery, including ankle replacement. 

To learn more about the treatment options for arthritis, call the practice of David Larson, DPM, or request an appointment online today.