Our feet, so to speak, are a kind of supports for the entire body - they take on almost the entire weight load. It is mainly thanks to the feet that complex movements are carried out when walking and running. Therefore, increased demands on strength and elasticity are placed on these anatomical structures - each of our feet consists of 30 large and small bones, which are interconnected through 28 joints or joints.
Arthritis of the foot joints can develop in any of these joints. The causes of this condition are varied. We can say with confidence that any pathological process occurring in our body can lead to inflammation of various joints, including the feet. After all, as you know, everything in our body is interconnected.
Depending on the reasons why inflammation in the joints develops, primary and secondary arthritis are distinguished. Primary arthritis is caused by damage to the joint itself. Secondary arthritis develops as a complication of other diseases.
Among the reasons why foot arthritis develops are:
It is noteworthy that certain causes lead to inflammation of certain joints. For example, ankle arthritis. This joint is the largest in this anatomical region and is formed by the tibia and fibula and the talus of the foot. The most common cause of ankle arthritis is injury. Therefore, this pathology is accompanied by quite severe functional disorders and requires the longest treatment.
The articulation of the big toe and metatarsus - the first metatarsophalangeal joint is most often inflamed with gout. And arthritis of the small joints of the foot is usually caused by rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis. Provoking factors for the emergence of new and exacerbation of existing arthritis are:
Arthritis of the foot, like any inflammation of the joint, is accompanied by quantitative and qualitative changes in the synovial fluid. Let us recall that the joint is surrounded by an articular capsule, which is lined from the inside with a synovial membrane that produces synovial fluid. This fluid acts as a lubricant, facilitating friction of the articular surfaces. In addition, synovial fluid delivers nutrients to the articular cartilage and removes metabolic products from it. After all, as you know, cartilage in a joint is devoid of blood vessels.
Due to the above reasons, the synovial membrane is first affected and synovitis develops. The inflamed synovial membrane secretes an excess amount of fluid, which causes swelling of the joint. With arthritis, synovial fluid, even in excess quantities, cannot perform the functions assigned to it, as a result of which not only articular cartilage suffers, but also bone tissue, ligaments, and connective tissue.
It should be noted that inflammation of the joints, although in many cases has similar features, is formed in different ways. For example, rheumatoid arthritis of the foot develops against the background of an autoimmune process. Microbial toxins combine with the body's antibodies in the so-called. immune complexes that attach to the connective tissue of the joint. The body's immune system, trying to destroy these complexes, destroys its own connective tissue.
In case of open intra-articular injuries, the infection penetrates into the articular cavity through the wound gate, and in reactive arthritis it is carried in by current from other organs. With gouty arthritis, uric acid salts (urates) accumulate in the joint cavity, and with diabetes mellitus, the entire foot suffers due to impaired blood circulation, including. and her joints.
Diagnosis of arthritis in most cases does not cause difficulties - the characteristic external signs are striking, and the patient’s complaints do not raise any doubts in this regard. It can be much more difficult to identify the cause of foot arthritis and the degree of movement disorders. The severity of inflammation can be indirectly judged by the number and changes in leukocytes in a routine general blood test. In this regard, rheumatic tests and blood tests for C-reactive protein are more informative.
The severity of movement disorders is indicated by specific functional tests. Among the instrumental methods, computer and magnetic resonance imaging are used. However, radiography of the foot in 3 projections is still effective. Diagnostics of internal organs (heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys) is mandatory.
Symptoms of foot arthritis include:
The first three signs are caused by the accumulation of fluid (exudate) in the joint cavity and secondary changes in soft tissues. The nature of the accumulated fluid can be different - serous in rheumatism, purulent in infectious and septic processes, hemorrhagic (bloody) as a result of injuries.
Depending on the affected joints, a distinction is made between monoarthritis of the foot, when any one joint is inflamed, and polyarthritis of the foot with damage to several joints. Most often, bilateral foot polyarthritis with inflammation of small joints occurs with rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis. These diseases are characterized by the volatility of lesions - inflammation, subsiding in some joints, flares up with renewed vigor in others.
The degree of motor impairment varies - from transient morning stiffness with rheumatoid arthritis to complete inability to move with traumatic inflammation of the ankle. In this regard, bilateral multiple arthritis of the toes with rheumatism is especially difficult for the patient to tolerate. After all, it is the fingers that bear a significant part of the load when walking.
Treatment of foot arthritis is aimed at eliminating inflammation, eliminating symptoms and restoring lost motor function. For this purpose use:
Medicines for arthritis include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), chondroprotectors, and antibiotics. NSAIDs (Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, salicylates) inhibit inflammation, and with it fever, pain and swelling. Although, if there is a large accumulation of fluid and the presence of pus, it is impossible to do without puncture of the joints. After performing a puncture under sterile conditions and evacuating the contents, steroid hormones (Kenalog, Dexamethasone) and antibiotics are injected into the joint cavity. The latter are used not only topically, but also in the form of injections and tablets. During the recovery period, chondroprotectors (Chondroxide, Chondroitin Complex) are indicated, thanks to which the affected intra-articular cartilage regenerates.
Physical procedures (magnet, diadynamic, amplipulse, paraffin treatment) are carried out in conjunction with physical therapy classes. These measures are carried out only in the remission (quiescence) phase of arthritis. Initially, the load on the foot is minimal and is carried out only in a lying position. Then the complexity of the exercises increases, and the patient is asked to walk with characteristic foot rolls from heel to toe and back.
In acute, violent arthritis, walking is not advisable at all. Sometimes they even resort to complete immobilization (immobilization) of the foot with a plaster cast or plaster splint. In the future, when walking, it is advisable to use a cane or crutches. Foot arthritis places increased demands on footwear. The latter should be loose, especially in the toe area, with a rigid or even convex sole. Other orthopedic devices are also shown - special shoe linings, instep supports.
Unfortunately, not all of the above treatment methods lead to the desired result. Sometimes the inflammation can be severe and lead to structural changes in the joint. In the ankle and 1st metatarsophalangeal joint, ankylosis can develop - fusion of the articular surfaces with irreversible loss of movement. In such cases, they resort to joint replacement.
Arthritis of the foot joints is their inflammation, caused by a number of reasons and leading to their destruction. The pathological process may involve bone joints located in the area of the tarsus, metatarsus, or toes. If earlier arthritis of the feet was considered a disease of older people, now people aged 35 and older are increasingly turning to the doctor with a similar problem. The joint disease affects both men and women.
The number of people suffering from arthritis of the feet is increasing every year. The number of sick people may vary depending on the country. So, in European countries and the USA, people more often turn to a doctor with a similar problem. This disease, if left untreated, can result in a person eventually being unable to move independently.
The foot joints most often suffer from the following types of arthritis:
Osteoarthritis affects both the joint itself and the bones adjacent to it. The disease destroys the joints of the legs, growths appear and subsequently deformation of the feet occurs. Left untreated, the toes may become twisted and resemble walrus flippers.
Rheumatoid arthritis. Even young people are susceptible to the disease. As a result of the pathology, the joints of the foot harden, become painful and eventually become deformed. Sometimes the disease progresses rapidly and a person can become disabled within two years.
Reactive arthritis, that is, those that arise as a result of illness. The cause may be tuberculosis, syphilis, intestinal infections and other diseases.
Gouty arthritis. Inflammation begins in the joint of the big toe, subsequently moving to other joints or disappearing without a trace. Formation of nodules is often observed, which occurs due to the accumulation of uric acid.
Symptoms of the disease may vary depending on the cause that triggered the inflammatory process in the joint.
But some symptoms are the same for each type of arthritis, these include:
Pain localized in the affected joint of the foot. At the beginning of the development of the disease (except for gouty arthritis), it is not severe. But as it progresses, the discomfort increases to the point that a person becomes unable to tolerate it without taking a painkiller. It intensifies during active movement. For example, when a person quickly walks, runs or performs other active actions. Pain is the first sign that something is wrong with the foot joints. It should not be ignored; it is important to consult a doctor in time and find out its causes. The intensity of pain for different types of arthritis may vary, but it will always be present.
Redness of the skin and swelling at the site of inflammation of the foot joint. Most often, this symptom is accompanied by pain. Sometimes, some time after the onset of the disease, these two symptoms can self-destruct, even if the person has not taken any medications. However, this does not mean that the disease has passed, just that the arthritis of the foot has gone into remission. Therefore, we should expect that after a certain period of time the disease will manifest itself with renewed vigor. If you feel the inflamed joint and the reddened skin around it, you can feel an increase in temperature in this area.
Always with arthritis of the joints of the foot, stiffness of the joints and their stiffness are observed. A characteristic feature of arthritis in the early stages is that limited mobility is observed after a limb has been at rest for a long time - after a night's sleep, in the morning. Waking up and trying to get to your feet, a person may experience the feeling that his feet are shod in very tight boots. This state lasts only a few minutes and disappears with the start of active walking. Sometimes, even at the initial stage of the disease, stiffness in the feet can last up to 30 minutes, but this happens extremely rarely. However, this particular symptom is the most striking sign of the onset of the disease and should not be ignored. As arthritis progresses, stiffness in the joints will bother the person longer and longer, not letting go even after performing active actions.
The shape of the joint is disrupted with any type of arthritis of the foot. However, this indicates that the disease has gone quite far. Deformation of the joints of the feet occurs according to the following type: a growth or lump appears on the sore spot, the toes turn out. The most common symptom, familiar to almost every person, is the growth of a bone on the big toe. With gout, it occurs due to the accumulation of uric acid salts, which are not excreted from the body, but are concentrated in this particular place. More deformities can be expressed in hammer-shaped or claw-shaped fingers, in anaklyosis and subluxation of the joints, and sometimes valgus deformity of the foot is observed (when they flatten and become as if turned inward).
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The reasons that contribute to the development of the disease are usually identified as follows:
Infections that lead to the formation of reactive arthritis. That is, one or another microorganism, virus or bacterium gets inside a person. Their microparticles settle on the joints, thereby causing inflammation.
Genetic predisposition to arthritis of the foot joints. That is, when close relatives suffered from a similar disease, there is a high risk that their descendants will also be susceptible to developing arthritis.
Metabolic disorders, that is, the development of autoimmune diseases. It is believed that the risk of developing arthritis in this case is associated with frequent hypothermia, infectious diseases and stress.
Various types of injuries: severe bruises, fractures, dislocations. All this will definitely affect the future condition of the joints. Typically, it is the joints of the feet that often suffer, since a large load is placed on them.
Body weight exceeding normal. Since the legs bear the entire weight of a person, excess weight cannot but affect the condition of the joints.
Age is one of the reasons for the development of arthritis. The older a person is, the more often he suffers from this disease. However, the pathology often affects even children and people of childbearing age.
Poor quality nutrition, lack of minerals and vitamins in the body. All this leads to the fact that the joints of the feet do not receive enough nutrition; the proper amount of necessary substances does not reach them with the blood. This leads to the cartilage tissue becoming thinner and inflammation occurring in the joint.
Low mobility, or, conversely, excessive stress on the joints. This may be related to professional activities. For example, football players or teachers often suffer from arthritis in the joints of the feet.
Incorrect, too narrow or tight shoes with high heels.
Alcohol addiction and smoking.
Some diseases, such as diabetes.
The sooner treatment is started, the more effective it will be. Therefore, it is necessary to seek help from an orthopedist or rheumatologist when the first symptoms of arthritis appear. But, no therapeutic regimen will be effective without an accurate diagnosis of the degree of development of the disease and the establishment of the causes that caused it. Therefore, after a standard examination and listening to the patient’s complaints, he will be sent for an X-ray examination, which is the main determination of the disease.
Once an accurate diagnosis is made, treatment can begin. It, depending on the nature of the disease, can be:
Aimed at reducing pain symptoms. For this purpose, the patient must take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They not only reduce discomfort, but also relieve inflammation in the joint.
Sometimes antibiotics are required. They are prescribed by a doctor if a person suffers from arthritis of the foot caused by a bacterial infection.
Chondroprotective drugs will help ensure that cartilage tissue stops deteriorating and begins to recover.
However, it will not be possible to manage with standard methods alone in the form of taking medications.
Treatment should be supplemented with auxiliary methods:
Undergoing physiotherapeutic procedures.
Spa treatment in sanatoriums and dispensaries.
Wearing specialized shoes with orthopedic inserts. Using crutches or canes.
Arthritis of the foot joints is a disease with painful symptoms. The pathology significantly worsens the quality of life, the feet hurt, the joints become curved, the cartilage weakens, and the mobility of the area that bears daily stress decreases.
Joint inflammation affects people of any age. Often the impetus for the development of arthritis is infectious diseases, injuries, and age-related changes in cartilage. What is foot arthritis? Symptoms and methods of treating common pathologies will help patients recognize changes in the joints and consult a doctor in time.
The etiology of the disease is often associated with inflammatory processes in the body. Experts believe that foot arthritis is a consequence of negative processes. Without identifying the cause, it is impossible to relieve pain and prevent joint destruction.
Negative changes in the cartilage tissue of the foot develop in the following cases:
The manifestations of arthritis are similar, regardless of the form of the disease:
Depending on the negative factors that provoked the development of the disease, the following types of arthritis are distinguished:
Arthritis of the toes worsens the condition of the first toe; inattention to the course of the pathological process provokes damage to neighboring areas. In advanced cases, the toes hurt even without load, small joints “twist” at rest.
How to treat polyarthritis of the fingers? Check out a selection of effective methods.
Read about the symptoms and treatment of gout during an exacerbation at this address.
Arthritis of the foot joints has several stages:
Arthritis of the small joints of the foot at any stage requires identifying the cause of the inflammatory process, establishing the stage, and the nature of the pathology. If the underlying disease has become chronic, it is more difficult to treat joint problems and requires potent medications.
If there is swelling that increases in the evening, redness, or increased temperature over one or more fingers, consult a therapist. The doctor will prescribe a CT and MRI, rheumatic tests, a biochemical blood test, and an x-ray of painful areas.
Therapy will produce results with the assistance of several doctors.
In large clinics, a nutritionist sees you. Be sure to visit this doctor: for successful treatment, the patient must follow a diet. Without special knowledge, it is difficult to create the right diet, enriched with dishes and products to restore cartilage tissue, sparing the load on sore joints.
How to treat arthritis of the foot joints? Therapy is aimed at eliminating the causes of pathological changes in the joints and stopping the inflammatory process. The doctor’s task is to alleviate the suffering of a patient experiencing pain due to joint pain.
After the acute manifestations are relieved, the doctor will offer supportive therapy, recommend physiotherapy and traditional recipes for arthritis. At an early stage of the disease, the use of arch supports and orthopedic shoes has a good effect.
As part of complex therapy for the treatment of arthritis of the feet, certain groups of drugs are used:
The doctor will prescribe procedures with a noticeable therapeutic effect only after the pain has been relieved and the active inflammatory process has been eliminated. In the acute stage, the main emphasis is on NSAIDs and analgesics.
Popular physiotherapy methods:
Hundreds of thousands of patients suffer from arthritis. Many people tried a dozen methods until they found an effective remedy for pain relief. Consult with your doctor, find out which homemade formulations are effective for a certain form of damage to cartilage tissue, choose the appropriate recipe for treating foot arthritis at home.
Remember: making foot baths, heating, applying warm compresses or dry heat is prohibited during an exacerbation.
Popular recipes for treating arthritis with folk remedies:
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Severe pain from arthritis of the foot will decrease if you perform simple procedures:
If you have severe pain, be sure to visit your doctor. The doctor will prescribe painkillers, dietary supplements, analgesic injections, ointments and creams. Medicines that remove excess uric acid help relieve severe gout pain. The drug Allopurinol is effective. While taking the pills, monthly monitoring of uric acid levels in the blood is required.
They provoke attacks and worsen the condition of joints:
To prevent inflammation of the joints, take care of your feet from a young age, eat right, do not lift excessive weights, and treat infectious diseases promptly (and completely). Limit walking in high heels and protect your feet from injury.
Video - expert advice on the symptoms and treatment of foot arthritis:
Arthritis of the foot joints is characterized by the presence of inflammatory reactions in the synovium of the joint. It practically never occurs in adolescence. Most often diagnosed in people over 50 years of age.
Joint diseases occupy a leading position among pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Arthritis of the toes is no exception in this matter. In most cases, this disease is registered in patients of the older age category. One or more joints are involved in the inflammatory process. Before treating arthritis of the foot joints, it is necessary to understand what triggered its appearance .
Arthritis of the toe joints is most often diagnosed in patients of the older age group
Arthritis of the foot joints is a polyetiological disease. Inflammatory reactions can develop primarily (on their own) or against the background of concomitant autoimmune, parasitic, infectious or metabolic diseases. The main causes of arthritis in the legs:
There are a number of provoking factors that contribute to the emergence of new and exacerbation of existing arthritis:
An inactive lifestyle and excessive weight can cause the development of arthritis of the joints
Arthritis of the foot joints is accompanied by quantitative and qualitative changes in the synovium. Let us recall that the joints are surrounded by a bursa, which is lined from the inside with a synovial membrane that synthesizes synovial fluid. Synovia is a lubricating component that facilitates friction of articular surfaces.
Important! Due to the development of inflammatory reactions, the synovial membrane begins to produce an excessive amount of synovium, which ultimately leads to the development of joint swelling, and the structure of cartilage and bone tissue is disrupted.
It should be noted that although all arthritis have similar features, their pathogenesis is different . For example, with gouty arthritis of the big toe, urates accumulate in the joint cavity, causing degenerative processes in the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis manifests itself against the background of autoimmune pathology. Microbial toxins (allergens) combine with the body's antibodies, forming immune complexes that are fixed on the connective tissue of the articular surface. The immune system tries to inactivate the formed complexes, and at the same time it destroys its own connective tissue.
Any arthritis of the foot joints has a general clinic:
Unbearable pain in the joints is the main symptom of the development of foot arthritis
This is a chronic pathology that causes foot deformity. Often the presented illness becomes a cause of disability . Main signs of the disease:
Important! The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis of the foot joints is established based on the results of a hematological analysis.
Excessive production of synovial fluid in arthritis provokes the development of leg swelling
The disease is usually observed a month after suffering a genitourinary, intestinal or respiratory infection . It also causes joint swelling and pain. As a rule, not one, but several joints are involved in the inflammatory process, which contributes to the development of polyarthritis.
Only an experienced doctor can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.
The first attacks of gouty arthritis of the foot joints are almost always short-term. The frequency of attacks can vary from 1 time per week or month to 1-2 times per year . The pathology clinic is quite typical:
Deposition of urates in the joint cavity in gouty arthritis of the foot
Symptoms and treatment of foot arthritis depend on the etiology of the underlying disease. The course of treatment is prescribed by the doctor individually .
Basic treatments for foot arthritis include:
Orthopedic insoles will help cope with the problem of arthritis of the toes
In order to overcome the disease, medications alone are not enough. Ancillary treatments for foot arthritis include:
Massage is an effective physiotherapeutic remedy for the diagnosis of “inflammation of the joints of the foot”
Before starting treatment for arthritis of the toes, you need to consult with specialists - a therapist, orthopedist, neurologist or rheumatologist.
Important! It is impossible to cure arthritis using traditional medicine.
To alleviate the patient's condition, traditional healers recommend using various means: herbs, clay, paraffin, iodine, honey. Let's look at some recipes for treating arthritis of the toes.
Oral prescriptions are especially suitable for treating arthritis of the small joints of the foot . In this case, eating certain foods plays an important role: potato juice, turmeric, garlic, honey, cinnamon.
To prepare a healing potion, pour a teaspoon of dry raw material into a glass of water and bring to a boil. The broth is filtered and taken one tablespoon 3 times a day.
Ten grams of raw materials are poured with a glass of boiling water and left for 3-4 hours. Next, the infusion is filtered and consumed one tbsp. spoon three times a day.
Foot baths are an effective remedy that acts directly on the pathological area
Most often, treatment for arthritis of the big toe occurs using compresses . For this purpose, you can use a cabbage leaf heated over a fire (dry): grease with honey and apply to the affected area, wrap in polyethylene and a warm cloth. Keep it on all night. Mustard plasters with honey are used as a warming compress.
Arthritis of the big toe is treated with baths prepared from decoctions and infusions. Sea salt has a good therapeutic effect. You can use decoctions of wormwood, celandine or cyclamen. Rubbing also helps. Extracts are prepared on the basis of ethanol and medicinal plants (coltsfoot, acacia, nettle, Kalanchoe, lilac flowers, burdock root, celery, propolis, horse chestnut flowers).
Paraffin therapy will improve overall well-being and speed up the patient’s recovery
Monitor your health; if you notice the first signs of pathology, seek qualified help at a clinic. With timely diagnosis and proper treatment, the prognosis is favorable.
Co-author of the material: Dmitry Ulyanov is an orthopedist-rheumatologist with 22 years of experience, a doctor of the first category. Engaged in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all diseases of the joints and connective tissue. He has a diploma in Rheumatology and studied at the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia.
A pathology such as arthritis of the joints of the foot is very common among the population and represents a whole group of pathological conditions that are united by inflammatory lesions of the joints of the tarsus, metatarsus and phalanges of the toes.
This disease causes great discomfort due to pain and inflammation in the joints of the foot. It is not easy to fight it, since patients often turn to a doctor when the disease no longer allows them to live in peace, that is, when it has already acquired a chronic form.
Therefore, every person, especially people over 35 years of age, should know the causes of this disease, the symptoms of its manifestation, and also have information about whether it is possible to reduce pain at home when arthritis of the toes has made itself felt.
Why does foot arthritis occur and what is it? Arthritis of the foot is a disease that causes changes in the synovial fluid and inflammatory processes in the joints. As a result of arthritis, the amount of synovial fluid increases several times, so tumors can form. As for the inflammatory process, it can be caused either by external infection in case of injury or by internal influence.
The development of the inflammatory process can be provoked by many reasons, however, most often this pathology affects the joints due to the following factors:
Depending on the cause and severity of symptoms of foot arthritis, a treatment regimen is determined.
As a rule, arthritis of the foot, regardless of the cause, has similar symptoms, but in each case it is possible to additionally identify some features that are inherent in a particular type of disease.
In this regard, a full diagnosis of arthritis should be carried out by a rheumatologist, since this requires a large list of additional diagnostic methods. Well, the patient at home has enough general signs to suspect a problem and seek medical help.
Therefore, here are the common symptoms of foot arthritis:
Early signs of foot arthritis are associated with the accumulation of fluid in the joint cavity, resulting in damage to the surrounding soft tissue. At first, the fluid will be serous; if infection or trauma occurs, there may be accumulations of pus or blood.
We offer detailed photos for viewing of what arthritis of the toes looks like.
If foot arthritis develops, treatment is simply necessary and is aimed primarily at reducing symptoms, eliminating inflammatory processes and restoring damaged areas. That is why it is complex and consists of several components.
First of all, this is drug treatment, which includes the following drugs:
Supportive treatments include:
The end result of a set of therapeutic measures is always the restoration of the function of the sore leg. Treatment for foot arthritis includes:
Medicines for arthritis include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), chondroprotectors, and antibiotics. NSAIDs (Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, salicylates) inhibit inflammation, and with it fever, pain and swelling.
For various forms of foot arthritis, the administration of oral, parenteral and local forms of NSAIDs, which have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, is indicated. If the infectious nature of foot arthritis is established, antibiotics are prescribed.
As a supplement, you can recommend some folk remedies, but we must remember that this is not a panacea and the use of these remedies alone, of course, will not cause harm, but can only trigger the disease.
A diet for arthritis is most often needed by patients with gout. They need food that does not contain purines. These are porridges made from whole grains (millet is especially good), vegetables (with the exception of sorrel and rhubarb), fruits, and herbs. Offal, herring, smoked meats, lard, sharp and aged cheeses, and alcohol are strictly prohibited (it can provoke new attacks of gout). A diet for arthritis involves drinking plenty of good quality water and green tea.
Treatment of arthritis of the toes is not complete without exercise therapy. You can do the following exercises at home:
For foot arthritis, prevention consists of the following simple rules:
At the same time, patients are recommended to regularly perform therapeutic exercises, reduce the load on the joints of the foot, make nutritional corrections, and, with the permission of the attending physician, use certain methods of traditional medicine.
For the treatment of foot arthritis, the prognosis depends on the degree of neglect of the disease, as well as the correctness of the chosen course of treatment. If it was possible to start treatment in a timely manner, the prognosis is generally favorable. If the joints are severely inflamed and a serious deformity of the feet has developed, then the treatment will be very painful and may not lead to the desired effect - there is a risk of lameness, gait disturbance and even disability.
Various diseases of the musculoskeletal system are very difficult to tolerate. Arthritis of the foot joints is no exception. It provokes severe pain and stiffness during movement. This disease is characterized by severe inflammation of the connective tissues in the foot area. As a result, the joints cannot fully perform their basic functions.
Arthritis of the feet does not occur on its own. This disease is provoked by certain reasons. You can see them in the table.
In addition to the obvious causes leading to arthritis, it is also worth highlighting factors that increase the risk of developing the disease. Among them are poor-quality nutrition, vitamin deficiency, genetic predisposition to diseases of the musculoskeletal system, regular excessive physical activity or its complete absence, hypothermia, helminth infection, and frequent stress. In addition, with age, connective tissue loses its elasticity, which can also lead to arthritis.
The symptoms of foot arthritis are quite recognizable. As a rule, this disease is characterized by acute pain in the joint area. With prolonged stress it can intensify. In the initial stages of the disease, pain appears in the morning, after waking up. Over time it will become more regular.
Signs of arthritis also include swelling of the soft tissues. Redness of the skin may appear around the affected joint. With deforming arthritis, a change in the usual shape of the foot is observed. Because of this, problems arise with the selection of shoes. Arthritis of the foot, the symptom of which is some stiffness of the joints, negatively affects the functioning of the musculoskeletal system. In many cases, the disease also affects the knees.
In addition to specific symptoms, arthritis is characterized by the presence of general signs of the inflammatory process, for example:
When the first warning symptoms appear, you should definitely consult a specialist. In the initial stages, it is much easier to cure the disease.
In general, diagnosing arthritis of the small joints of the foot is not very difficult, especially at the stage of active inflammatory process. First of all, the doctor collects an anamnesis of the disease. It is very important at this stage to determine the causes of the disease in order to avoid its complications. Symptoms and treatment are closely related, and it is based on the diagnostic results that medications and other agents are prescribed.
The most common tests used for arthritis include:
With a timely and correct diagnosis, subsequent treatment can be greatly facilitated.
Traditional treatment for foot arthritis is a set of measures to eliminate the cause of inflammation and pain. In some cases, even surgery may be necessary.
Treatment should begin with resting the sore leg. For this purpose, plaster overlays are used. The patient is recommended to move with the help of crutches so that the load on the leg is minimal.
Then drugs with anesthetic properties are prescribed. This is necessary to alleviate the general condition of a person and reduce the manifestation of pain. Among the most popular means of this action are:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve inflammation in the joint. These remedies do not cure arthritis, but they are more than successful in coping with its symptoms. Nonsteroidal drugs have some contraindications, so only a doctor should prescribe them. The most effective anti-inflammatory drugs are:
In cases where arthritis was caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotic therapy is required. Depending on the extent of the disease, medications may be prescribed in the form of tablets or injections. In the absence of individual contraindications, antibiotics of the penicillin group are used.
Before treating foot arthritis with traditional methods, in any case it is necessary to consult a doctor. Alternative medicine is usually considered as an adjunct to primary therapy. Among the most common remedies used to treat foot arthritis at home, the following should be noted:
Treating foot arthritis at home involves following a special diet. Violation of the acid-base balance in the body leads to the progression of the disease, therefore the following foods should be excluded from the diet:
It is useful for arthritis to eat fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. These products have a beneficial effect on alkalization of the body and regulate acid balance. Sugar can be replaced with honey if necessary.
Arthritis of the foot, the treatment of which has already been completed, requires recovery. The best option for this is physiotherapy. Doctors recommend using the following methods:
Such physiotherapeutic procedures should be completed in courses. They promote a speedy recovery, prevent recurrence of the disease and reduce pain.
In addition, due attention should be paid to physical exercise during the recovery period. They will help restore muscles to their previous tone and develop joints. You can also perform self-massage of your feet. Spiked balls, special mats, and small smooth stones are used for it. After recovery, doctors recommend wearing only orthopedic shoes that provide good support to the foot. It should have a solid back and arch support.
Arthritis of the feet is a disease that requires mandatory medical supervision and precise treatment. Timely detection of the disease can significantly speed up recovery. In the initial stages, radical measures are not required in the treatment of arthritis. Therefore, you should contact a specialist immediately after warning signs appear.