Inflammation of the joints, or arthritis, in the Foot is pretty common. The joints that are frequently affected are the calcaneocuboid, the talonavicular, the subtalar, and the tarsometatarsal joints.
As with ankle arthritis, there can be a number of underlying causes of inflammation in these foot joints. It could be a result of an autoimmune process such as rheumatoid arthritis, or it could be a direct result of a fracture, foot deformity or even gout.
The classic presentation in these patients is pain and swelling over the affected joint. The pain could become chronic if not treated early.
How do We Manage Arthritis in the Foot?
Since arthritis can make it painful to walk and bear weight on the Foot, orthotics or braces are recommended. These make walking more comfortable but are only used to alleviate the symptoms.
Along with anti-inflammatory medications, surgical reconstruction of the Foot might be a good option to consider. With minimally-invasive techniques now in the works, it’s possible to recover swiftly with little post-op care.
