Arthritis
Foot and ankle arthritis treatment in The Fan, VCU, Richmond, VA
Arthritis in the feet and ankles can make every step painful. At Richmond Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates in Richmond, Virginia, foot and ankle surgeons Weston Angermeier, DPM, and Rachel Hensley, DPM, diagnose the type of arthritis you have and offer treatment from orthotics and injections to joint surgery. Call our office today.
Quick facts about arthritis
The foot and ankle have more than 30 joints, and arthritis can affect any of them.
Common types include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and arthritis after an injury.
Many people manage arthritis with shoes, orthotics and injections; surgery is an option when these no longer help.
Arthritis questions and answers
What are the symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis?
Symptoms often build slowly and can include:
- Pain in a joint, especially when walking
- Stiffness, often worse in the morning
- Swelling around the joint
- Less motion in the ankle or toes
- Bony bumps on the top of the foot or big toe
What causes arthritis in the foot?
Arthritis can come from:
- Wear and tear over time (osteoarthritis)
- An earlier injury, such as an ankle fracture or sprain (post-traumatic arthritis)
- Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout, which causes sudden painful flares, often in the big toe
- Foot shape problems such as flat feet or bunions
How is arthritis treated without surgery?
Many patients find relief with conservative care, such as:
- Supportive shoes and custom orthotics
- Braces
- Anti-inflammatory medicine
- Corticosteroid injections
- Physical therapy
When is surgery an option?
When pain keeps you from daily activities and conservative care no longer helps, surgery may be considered. Options include removing bone spurs, cleaning out the joint, fusing a joint to stop painful motion, and in some cases ankle joint replacement. Your foot and ankle surgeon will go over which options fit your situation. Call our office today to learn more.
Other conditions we treat
Ready to get back on your feet?
Call to book. Free parking in the Retreat Hospital garage.