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Arthritis of the foot joints

30 Jun 18

Signs of Foot Arthritis

Arthritis of the foot is a disease that has very unpleasant symptoms. It is characterized by damage to the joint. The legs and feet in particular are the main guarantor of human mobility. Severe pain, inflammation, and joint deformation lead to limited mobility, sharply reduce ability to work, and significantly affect the ability to live a full life. Determining the right treatment is not easy. Depending on the nature of the damage to the joints of the feet, arthritis requires different schemes for both diagnosis and treatment.

Types of disease

The symptoms of different variants of the disease are very similar, but the nature of its occurrence is different. The following main types are distinguished:

  1. Rheumatoid arthritis of the foot joints is of an autoimmune nature, when the human body perceives cartilage cells as foreign.
  2. Gout. Associated with metabolic disorders in the accumulation of salts in the joints. Older men are most often susceptible to this type.
  3. Osteoarthritis is an inflammation that accompanies other. disease, for example, arthrosis. Occurs in older men and women.
  4. Reactive arthritis - occurs as a reaction to an infectious disease. The joints of the legs and feet are mainly affected. This type is most often found in men 20–40 years old.
  5. Each of these types has its own causes. Several general contributing factors can be identified. Because the disease affects the feet, arthritis is most often associated with overuse. Therefore, excess weight, work on the legs and other additional stress on the feet increase the risk of the disease. Another reason is injuries and bruises.

    The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is a violation of the body's immune responses. However, science does not know what exactly causes this disorder. But the causes of reactive arthritis are known; these are bacterial infections, for example, chlamydia or some intestinal diseases. Gouty arthritis of the foot can be caused by kidney problems or by taking certain medications that interfere with uric acid metabolism.

    Despite the variety of foot diseases, there are similar symptoms. The main ones are pain and impaired motor function of the feet. Arthritis is also accompanied by redness and swelling of the affected joint, and sometimes there is a local increase in body temperature in the area of ​​the inflamed joint.

    In addition, each species has its own characteristics. For example, rheumatoid is characterized by a chronic course, pain when walking, and stiffness. Symptoms of the rheumatoid variety of the disease may resemble the flu: general weakness, slight fever.

    But gout is characterized by an acute process, a paroxysmal course. The disease is accompanied by attacks that usually begin at night and last for several days. Movement or touching the affected area causes unbearable pain.

    Osteoarthritis is a disease accompanying arthrosis. It is characterized by the fact that inflammation of damaged joints of the feet is added to the degenerative processes. Arthritis of this type can be acute and accompanied by unbearable pain, or maybe moderate, appearing only after stress on the foot.

    Treatment depends on the specific diagnosis made, since the causes and course of the diseases vary significantly. Only a doctor can prescribe the correct treatment. Therefore, if you notice the first signs of illness, you should not postpone your visit to the hospital.

    For each type of disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, are prescribed for acute pain and inflammation. They are able to relieve unpleasant symptoms, alleviating the patient's condition. In particularly severe cases, the injection is made directly into the affected joint. Also, in certain situations, to prevent further destruction of the tissues and joints of the feet, arthritis can also be treated with chondroprotectors. Symptoms that occur on the skin are relieved with topical medications.

    It is also important to provide comfort to injured foot joints. Arthritis in the non-acute period can be treated with special exercises. However, you should be careful not to further injure the affected joints of the foot.

    In addition to general recommendations, there are also specific principles for the treatment of each type. In the case of an infectious nature of the disease, treatment involves, first of all, fighting a specific infection. For this, a course of antibiotics or immunomodulators is prescribed.

    The autoimmune nature of rheumatoid arthritis determines the use of hormonal drugs to relieve joint inflammation. And with gout, diet plays a big role. Foods high in purines should be avoided. Uric acid is synthesized from them: alcohol, liver, fish, smoked meats. Medicines used include drugs that act by neutralizing uric acid.

    There are no universal ways to prevent this disease of the foot joints. However, you can reduce the risk of disease by adhering to certain rules. It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle, do not abuse alcohol and eat right. In addition to the fact that diet is of great importance in preventing the gouty variety, proper nutrition allows you to avoid obesity, which, in turn, is one of the factors in the occurrence of various diseases of the legs and feet.

    Arthritis can occur as a result of prolonged and excessive stress on the legs. It is important to control the load on the joints of the feet. The disease can manifest itself after injuries, even minor ones, including those associated with improper footwear. Therefore, it is advisable to choose orthopedic shoes that properly support the foot and provide sufficient softness when walking.

    All of the above does not guarantee complete protection against the occurrence of arthrosis, but significantly reduces the risks. But prevention is always more beneficial than treatment. In addition, all of the above methods for preventing arthritis are also true for many other diseases.

    Discomfort and pain due to arthritis of the joints of the feet significantly limit a person’s mobility, and the symptoms of the disease negatively affect the quality of life.

    If you seek medical help in a timely manner, some types of the disease can be cured or, at least, their development can be stopped. You just have to remember that arthritis is a serious disease that must be treated by a doctor.

    Features of foot arthritis and methods of treating the disease

    Arthritis of the foot joints is truly a misfortune for modern people. In the age of fast movement, when you need to get to many places during the day, the inability to wear any shoes other than orthopedic ones - all this becomes a serious test for the physical and spiritual strength of the patient. Hammer toes, hallux valgus and rheumatoid nodules do not at all bring freedom of movement to a person, which means there is no full quality of life.

    For reference: the metatarsus includes five tubular bones of the foot, which are located between the tarsal bones and the phalanges of the fingers. The tarsus is a set of small bones enclosed between the bones of the lower leg and the bones of the metatarsus.

    How can you recognize the disease?

    Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by joint damage

    Arthritis in the feet cannot always be recognized immediately; the causes of foot disease can be due to many factors. Arthritis of the foot with gout progresses from alcohol abuse, but, in most cases, it affects the small joints and the first toe. Psoriatic arthritis extends to the distal interphalangeal joints and is accompanied by severe inflammation and swelling (sausage symptoms) with a purplish-bluish discoloration of the skin. With ankylosing spondylitis, a person experiences symptoms of spinal damage.

    If treatment is not carried out in a timely manner, the joints of the foot become deformed and bring even greater discomfort to the patient. It is almost impossible to cure arthritis at this stage; the foot will never regain its former lightness and shape. The spread of inflammation deep into the joint contributes to the occurrence of arthrosis-arthritis of the foot, and the damage affects not only the joint, but also the articular cartilage.

    The most common patient complaints with foot arthritis are as follows:

  6. stiffness in the morning, especially in small joints;
  7. pain when walking, wearing usual shoes and fatigue;
  8. characteristic redness of the skin and thickening over the joints of the foot due to swelling;
  9. lesions occur symmetrically;
  10. a person feels unwell for a long time, the symptoms are very similar to those of the flu, sometimes accompanied by a slight fever.
  11. During examination, leukocytosis and increased ESR are observed in a peripheral blood smear. If the patient has an autoimmune process, then C-reactive protein is detected.

    Main treatment of the disease

    Treatment of a disease always comes down primarily to identifying the cause of its occurrence. The doctor should tell the patient how to treat foot arthritis; self-therapy does not ultimately bring the desired results.

    Basic treatments for arthritis in the feet:

  12. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) – reduce pain intensity and eliminate inflammation;
  13. Almost all patients need painkillers, since arthritis of any etiology is accompanied by painful sensations, but of varying intensity;
  14. the use of antibiotics is necessary for arthritis of an infectious nature;
  15. chondroprotectors are designed to prevent the rapid destruction of articular cartilage and promote its restoration during the initial stage of the disease.
  16. Adjuvant therapies

    Drug treatment of the disease must be combined with auxiliary means, which include:

  17. a course of exercise therapy and mud therapy;
  18. massage and physiotherapy;
  19. Spa treatment;
  20. a diet rich in vitamins (E, C, gr. B);
  21. special shoes, orthopedic inserts, canes and crutches.
  22. A set of therapeutic exercises can prevent the development of diseases of the musculoskeletal system

    Arthritis of the foot, especially in the acute period, requires an integrated approach to treatment. The most effective value in auxiliary therapy is physical therapy, this is what helps to expand the range of motion of the foot and maintains muscle tension. It is good to combine physical activity and anti-inflammatory drugs, but keep in mind that vigorous physical activity is prescribed only during remission (when there is no acute inflammation). Conservative treatment methods can be especially effective if the shoes are orthopedic, or if arch supports are placed in comfortable shoes.

    Therapy for specific types of disease

    Often in the photo you can see what rheumatoid and gouty arthritis of the feet look like. Their treatment is subject to only narrow specialists, therefore, when such a pathology is detected, the patient is prescribed special tests that help determine the level of uric acid or identify a special protein. Based on the results, the doctor prescribes the necessary course of therapy. Hormones in combination with NSAIDs help relieve autoimmune inflammation in the foot area.

    An acute attack of gout can be relieved by medications that neutralize and remove excess uric acid from the body. For any inflammatory diseases of the foot, it is important not to overload the diseased joints and follow a physical activity regimen.

    In order to quickly get rid of gout, diet is important. It is designed to remove as much as possible products containing purines (from which uric acid is synthesized). The patient should not have on the table:

  23. meat by-products, fish (salted), legumes, smoked meats, lard, alcohol.
  24. It is good if the patient chooses as food:

  25. greens (except rhubarb and sorrel), vegetables, whole grain cereals and fruits.
  26. Millet porridge cooked in water is very useful. It removes excess salts from the human body. It is important to drink green tea and plenty of water throughout the day.

    Herbs will help get rid of the disease

    Of course, it will not be possible to completely cure arthritis with folk remedies; various herbs are used as auxiliary therapy for basic treatment. All recipes that are available for home use, especially in the chronic form of the disease, help relieve pain and inflammation. For chronic arthritis, it is good to use foot baths with a strong solution of iodized salt. Warming compresses at night or warming the feet in hot sand will relieve discomfort and allow a person to move without much difficulty. But, it should be remembered that in acute forms of inflammation, and especially in purulent

    Before using decoctions and infusions, consult a specialist

    during the process, any thermal procedures are strictly contraindicated.

    Decoctions of linden flowers, chamomile or St. John's wort (1 tsp per glass of boiling water) can be drunk instead of the usual tea. These herbs have a general anti-inflammatory effect. It is good to combine tea and a mixture of carrot and cabbage juices. They drink a glass a day. Herbal medicine courses cannot be short-term; herbal treatment continues throughout the year.

    The following folk remedies help get rid of problems in the foot area, but it is advisable to coordinate their use with your doctor.

    Peeled potatoes are grated. The mass is placed in a pan of water and heated to body temperature (slightly above 38 degrees). Transfer it into a fabric bag corresponding to the size of the diseased joint, having previously laid out a film. The thickness of the layer of mashed potato mass should be 1.5 cm. The compress must be secured with an elastic bandage so that nothing leaks out, and you can go to bed with your leg raised slightly to the level of the pillow.

  27. Warming compress with a slice of lemon
  28. Apply lemon to the sore spot and lie down for a while; if the pain intensifies, remove the compress immediately.

    Nettle decoction should be taken at least twice a week. In the absence of contraindications - long-term. Nettle normalizes blood composition, cleanses the blood of toxins and supports the vital activity of all cells. Good for any type of arthritis. But a patient with “thick blood” should not take nettle infusions; it promotes rapid blood clotting.

    Thanks to their warming effect, they eliminate pain and reduce inflammation. They are applied to the foot in the evening before bed.

    Surgical intervention for the disease

    The indication for complex surgical intervention is the lack of positive dynamics with conservative treatment. For rheumatoid arthritis of the foot, endoprosthetics of the entire ankle joint is most often performed. But it should be remembered that various complications are possible, the cause of which is that during surgical correction of skeletal components, soft tissues (nerves and blood vessels) are affected. The recovery course for arthritis of the feet can be delayed, especially in old age, when regeneration is reduced.

    Do not delay treatment for arthritis - the consequences can lead to disability

    In some cases, such problems can be avoided by performing an operation with a complete blockade of the blood supply in the intervention area. Modern medical technology allows making minimal incisions, which improves and speeds up postoperative rehabilitation of patients.

    Arthritis in the foot area, and especially the toes, is called “ballerina’s disease,” since it is representatives of this profession who suffer from arthritis almost one hundred percent. But ordinary people, especially fashionable women, can also feel all the “delights” of the disease, since their adherence to narrow noses and high heels ultimately leads to inflammation of the small joints of the feet.

    Joint diseases are not a rare phenomenon. They affect not only older people with poor health, but also quite young people, and even children. Arthritis of the foot can bring a lot of unpleasant sensations, because it is not just a pain syndrome, but also deformation of the joint tissue. And this already limits physical activity, difficulties in choosing shoes and a sharp decrease in the quality of life.

    What is arthritis and its types

    The feet perform important tasks in the body. They help a person maintain balance, perform pushing movements when walking and absorb road unevenness. Inflammatory processes in articular tissues inevitably lead to deformation of cartilage, it loses its ability to function fully and the load falls on other joints - the knee and hip. Not designed for such functions, they also begin to cause problems over time. Thus, arthritis of the foot joints is only the beginning of the destruction of the musculoskeletal system.

    Arthritis of the foot is an inflammation of the bones, their joints, cartilage and connective tissue that make up this part of the body.

    There are several types of the disease:

  29. Rheumatoid. Disease of small joints of the legs. It occurs against the background of autoimmune pathologies and is typical for the young part of the population under 45 years of age. At the same time, women are susceptible to the disease three times more often than men.
  30. Gout. The result of pathology in the functioning of the kidneys associated with impaired uric acid metabolism. It is characterized by the appearance of a “bump” on the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe. In this case, there is a high risk of damage to adjacent, interphalangeal and ankle joints. It is more common in the male half of the population over 55 years of age.
  31. Osteoarthritis. Symptoms of the disease appear as a consequence of arthrosis with the destruction of the cartilage tissue of the joint. Elderly people suffer from this disease more often than other categories of citizens.
  32. Reactive arthritis. Autoimmune pathology, disease of the young. Typical for the male population aged 20 to 40 years. The result of acute infectious diseases (intestinal, venereological, colds, viral).
  33. Other forms of the disease. It can occur as a result of congenital flat feet, improper footwear, or injuries.
  34. Causes of joint diseases of the legs

    Timely treatment of other diseases can protect you from such troubles as foot arthritis. After all, quite often it is a consequence of advanced pathological processes in the body. The main causes of arthritis in the legs are:

  35. Infections. In the absence or untimely treatment, microparticles of bacteria, viruses or other pathogens enter the joints, take root and begin to actively multiply, causing inflammation.
  36. Disruption of metabolic processes in the body, that is, autoimmune pathologies. The body, which often suffers from hypothermia of the legs, stress, acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, and influenza, is at great risk.
  37. Genetics. The disease is not directly inherited, but if there have been cases of treatment for arthritis of the legs in the family, then the likelihood of direct descendants getting sick is quite high.
  38. Injuries. Leg fractures, dislocations, bruises, especially of the metatarsophalangeal joint, do not go away without leaving a trace in the future. Because the feet are under a lot of stress, they suffer more often than other joints.
  39. Obesity. By nature, human joints are designed for a certain body weight, and excess weight puts a strong additional load on them, which cannot but affect the condition of the bones and connective tissue of the legs.
  40. Age. Over the years, the human body weakens and cannot cope with the suppression of inflammatory processes. This is not the case for rheumatoid arthritis, which also occurs in very young people.
  41. Poor nutrition. A lack of minerals and vitamins causes thinning of joint tissue and provokes inflammation.
  42. Low or too high activity. Often associated with professional activities. Foot arthritis often affects teachers or football players.
  43. Incorrectly selected shoes. Lovers of stiletto heels and narrow pumps are the main candidates for developing the disease.
  44. Diseases. Diabetes mellitus and immunodeficiency conditions are frequent companions to arthritis of the leg joints.
  45. Lifestyle. Alcohol, nicotine addiction, systematic stressful situations.
  46. Symptoms characterizing the disease

    It is absolutely impossible to diagnose arthritis on your own at home. You need to start sounding the alarm and contact specialists if:

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    • The joint hurts. When moving and standing for a long time, the pain becomes more intense and more pronounced.
    • The appearance of the joint has changed and become deformed.
    • The soft tissues adjacent to the diseased organ are swollen, red and hot when palpated.
    • Movement is difficult, especially after getting up in the morning.
    • The mobility of the foot is limited, the toes move with difficulty, and the joints may make a crunching noise.
    • In addition, there may be symptoms characteristic of many diseases accompanied by inflammation:

    • temperature increase;
    • weakness, chills;
    • loss of appetite.
    • Diagnosis of foot arthritis

      To treat joint inflammation, it is necessary to make a correct diagnosis. If you have symptoms of arthritis, you should consult a rheumatologist, therapist, or orthopedist. If there have been previous injuries, then you need to consult a traumatologist.

      Diagnosing arthritis in the foot joints is not difficult. For this purpose they prescribe: MRI, ultrasound, x-ray examination, computed tomography. To find out the causes of the disease, blood tests are taken for sugar and biochemistry. Sometimes puncture of small joints is required to collect synovial fluid.

      Drug therapy for the treatment of foot arthritis

      Joint diseases require immediate action. This is the only way to prevent bone deformation, which can cause a person to lose motor functions. The treatment complex includes:

    • Taking non-steroidal drugs for pain relief and swelling.
    • Glucocorticoids into the joint to eliminate pain symptoms.
    • A course of antibiotics if the arthritis is caused by an infection (for example, rheumatoid arthritis).
    • Formation of chondroprotectors to stop the destructive process in cartilage and the restoration process in tissues.
    • Plaster splint. In acute illness, to immobilize the foot.
    • Diet.

In addition, physiotherapy is carried out: mud wraps, therapeutic exercises, massage, magnetic therapy sessions, etc.

In particularly advanced conditions, prosthetics of the metatarsophalangeal joints or resection may be required. Only a doctor can decide how to treat foot arthritis. Do not try to get rid of signs of illness at home. Folk remedies can only be auxiliary and used for treatment only with the approval of a doctor.

Traditional medicine to help with arthritis

At home, in addition to drug treatment, you can use folk recipes to relieve pain symptoms and reduce swelling. Only with a doctor's permission! Many specialists themselves give some advice from lay medicine in addition to basic therapy.

  • Compress with lemon juice to warm and relieve pain.
  • A decoction of black currant fruits to reduce joint swelling and pain.
  • An ointment based on turpentine ointment, apple cider vinegar and yolk to eliminate the inflammatory process and prevent the progression of the disease.
  • Magnesium salt stones to reduce pain.
  • Sea salt compress to warm up and reduce pain.
  • You can also perform therapeutic exercises at home. For people at risk, such physical exercise can be done to prevent and prevent the onset of signs of arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis at a young age. And always pay due attention to the choice of shoes and the treatment of colds, infections and traumatic conditions.

    A disease is easier to prevent than to treat. Everyone knows this, but, nevertheless, the number of patients with arthritis not only does not decrease, but is steadily growing. Injurious sports, the fashion for high heels and ridiculous shoes, unhealthy fast food, a sedentary lifestyle, unpleasant diseases - all this provokes the development of arthritis in the joints of the feet.

    The favorable prognosis for treatment depends on how advanced the disease is and whether the correct course of treatment is chosen. With severe inflammation and deformation of the bones, treatment will be long, painful and does not have a 100% guarantee of success - the risk of remaining lame, with gait disturbances and even disabled is not just empty words, but a real threat.

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    Arthritis of the foot joints is an inflammatory process that is accompanied by pain, swelling and decreased function of the joints. 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 painful sensations if the disease has made itself felt.

    Predisposition and causes of arthritis of the foot joints

    Doctors unanimously say that the phenomenon when patients come with problems of the joints of the feet is quite common. But the bulk of these troubles still occur due to arthritis, that is, inflammation of the joints of the toes, metatarsus and tarsus. Unlike other joint pathologies, arthritis is practically independent of age. They can appear in young and old people alike.

    The joints of the feet can become inflamed for various reasons, but basically most diseases can be attributed to the five pathologies listed below:

  • Reactive arthritis. This is an immune pathology that begins to develop after infections. Young people aged 20 to 40 years are most susceptible to this disease.
  • Osteoarthritis. Inflammation is secondary, which is associated with the destruction of articular cartilage (degenerative process).
  • Gout. This pathology is associated with the deposition of uric acid in the joint cavities, that is, with a violation of its metabolism. There are 4 factors that often provoke a gout attack: frequent consumption of cocoa, coffee, tea, alcohol abuse, bath procedures and the predominance of fatty meat dishes in the diet.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis. The disease is autoimmune, arising due to the fact that the immune system perceives the cells of the cartilage tissue of the joints as foreign. Rheumatoid arthritis affects only the small joints of the hands and feet. The disease affects women more often than men.
  • Other forms of inflammation - infectious, post-traumatic, and others.
  • Symptoms of ankle arthritis

  • Reactive arthritis. This form of pathology is characterized by inflammation of the joints and periarticular tissues of the foot. Almost always, when a patient seeks medical help with this pathology, he can remember that approximately 3-4 weeks before the onset of the disease he suffered a genitourinary or intestinal infection.
  • Osteoarthritis develops against the background of arthropathy or arthrosis of the foot. Basically, common symptoms of arthritis are fever, swelling, pain, redness, changes in gait and joint dysfunction.
  • Gout occurs in attacks and is characterized by very strong, sudden pain in the joint of the big toe . Very often, attacks begin at night, develop quite quickly and last up to several weeks (if you do not seek help from a specialist). Symptoms: fever, redness of the joint and rapidly increasing swelling, pain when moving the thumb or touching. Doctors easily diagnose gout, since its clinical picture is quite typical.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis. This pathology affects connective tissue throughout the body. If we talk about joints, this inflammation is chronic and almost always leads to their deformation. Characteristic symptoms: pain when walking in the foot area, fatigue, stiffness in small joints (especially in the morning), redness of the skin of the joints in this area, swelling, disturbance in general well-being.
  • Nonspecific forms of inflammation, that is, caused by other reasons. They are characterized by swelling, pain when walking, increased temperature in localized areas, local redness, and dysfunction of the joints.
  • Whatever of the above symptoms you find in yourself, know that this diagnosis can only be made by a qualified specialist based on special tests.

    Treatment of arthritis of the foot joints

    As mentioned above, treatment for arthritis of the joints of the feet can only be prescribed by a specialist because You may have osteoarthritis or arthrosis of the foot. Therefore, if you suspect that you have a similar pathology, immediately go to the doctor, who will prescribe you special tests that determine the level of uric acid. And only after determining this result, you will be prescribed a course of complex therapy.

    To relieve autoimmune inflammation, doctors prescribe hormones in combination with anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs. This helps relieve the patient's pain for a while.

    If you notice symptoms of gout, follow a diet before seeing a doctor. Limit the consumption of organ meats, legumes, fish, lard, smoked meats, aged cheeses and alcoholic beverages. It is necessary to increase the consumption of greens, whole grain cereals, vegetables and fruits in the diet.

    For foot arthritis, herbal remedies can be used, but this is not the only treatment. Do not let the disease take its course, as in this case the complications will increase, and even the most experienced specialists will not return your former joint mobility.

    How and how to treat arthritis of the foot joints

    Arthritis is a generalized concept of inflammatory diseases of the joints of various etiologies. There are many clinical forms of arthritis. Some are characterized by damage to large joints, others - small ones. Adults and children are susceptible to the disease. The principles of treatment for arthritis of the feet are not much different from the treatment of other joints, but they have their own characteristics.

    For any inflammatory disease, a cause-and-effect relationship can be traced. If we take the cause as the basis for the classification of arthritis, we get the following picture of diseases:

  • traumatic;
  • exchange nature;
  • autoimmune;
  • degenerative-dystrophic;
  • infectious-allergic, they are also reactive, nonspecific.
  • All types of arthritis, regardless of the etiology and location of the lesion, have one thing in common - inflammation, manifested by pain, heat, redness, swelling and dysfunction of the joint.

    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:

  • elimination of the inflammatory process (general or local);
  • changes in the body's immunological reactivity;
  • restoration of function of the foot joints;
  • treatment of the underlying disease (if it is the cause of arthritis).
  • Arthritis of the toes, complicated by joint deformity

    Taking into account the severity of the disease, treatment can be inpatient or outpatient, but, in any case, long-term. In the initial stage of the inflammatory process, a protective regime plays an important role. The joint needs to be provided with complete rest for some time. The general principles of further treatment measures are reduced to the following:

  • pharmacological drugs;
  • physical therapy as an important health-improving factor;
  • physiotherapeutic procedures;
  • self-massage and massage;
  • sanatorium-resort treatment.
  • It is not forbidden to supplement medical procedures with the use of safe folk remedies. But first you need to consult your doctor.

    The inflammatory process is relieved by one of the types of medicinal substances or their combination:

  • antibiotics;
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
  • hormones glucocorticosteroids.
  • Antibiotics are a necessary component in the treatment of leg arthritis

    An important place in the treatment of arthritis is occupied by antibiotics - antimicrobial drugs whose action is directed against the causative agents of the disease. Antibiotics are used for purulent inflammation of the joints. They are selected taking into account the results of bacteriological tests for sensitivity to the drug.

    For nonspecific (reactive) arthritis in adults, preference is given to tetracycline antibiotics with a broad spectrum of action. They are effective against many microorganisms.

    Along with tetracycline and oletethrin, roletetracycline is of particular interest. The medicine is administered into the body in different ways: through the mouth, intramuscularly, intravenously. Quickly creates a high concentration of the active substance, eliminates the symptoms of inflammation. Children with reactive arthritis are prescribed more gentle antibiotics from the macrolide group.

    Nonsteroidal drugs

    Non-steroidal drugs – derivatives of salicylic, idoacetic, phenylacetic, propionic acids. The group of non-steroids also includes sulfonamide and oxicam derivatives. All of them have a combined effect - anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-edematous. They are widely used in the practice of treating leg arthritis of various etiologies in hospitals and at home. Non-steroidal drugs include:

  • acetylsalicylic acid,
  • voltaren,
  • diclofenac,
  • ortofen,
  • meloxicam,
  • indomethacin,
  • piroxicam,
  • celoxib and dozens of other drugs.
  • Nimesil, a non-steroidal drug, is indicated for all pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.

    Most drugs are available in various dosage forms: tablets, injections, suppositories, ointments, gels. Available for free sale in pharmacy chains. But using medications haphazardly is dangerous. There are too many allergic reactions these days. When taking it, you should take into account side effects and contraindications. Only a doctor knows how to treat foot arthritis without harm to health.

    Hormonal drugs

    The most typical and widespread representatives of the group of glucocorticoids are hydrocortisone and prednisolone (the latter is 4-5 times more active). They are widely used in pathological processes characterized by increased reactivity of the body. These are connective tissue diseases (collagenosis), including rheumatoid, infectious, and gouty arthritis of the foot. For joint infections, corticosteroids are used simultaneously with antibiotics.

    Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid, 7 times stronger than prednisolone

    When inflammation is localized in several joints, intra-articular injections are given. The drugs are active when applied topically and penetrate the skin well. Therefore, hormonal ointments are used to treat foot arthritis. The therapeutic effect of hormones is short-lived. It is stored until they are in the body. In chronic diseases, premature, unauthorized withdrawal of the drug can cause an undesirable exacerbation.

    With long-term use of corticosteroids, a number of signs of side effects occur:

  • excessive and uneven deposition of fat in the subcutaneous tissue;
  • hyperglycemia – increased blood sugar levels;
  • glucosuria – the presence of glucose in the urine;
  • menstrual irregularities in women;
  • excess hair growth on the face, body;
  • the rate of wound healing decreases.
  • Both long-term use of drugs and their sudden withdrawal are undesirable. A “withdrawal syndrome” may develop; it is dangerous due to exacerbation of the disease and the development of symptoms of acute renal failure.

    Concomitant therapy

    To activate the treatment process, it is necessary to use a number of other necessary drugs that help eliminate the cause of foot arthritis:

  • B vitamins, ascorbic acid, folic acid, rutin;
  • immunomodulators – polyoxidonium, aquitin, lycopid;
  • chondroprotectors – drugs based on chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. They act on the formation and preservation of cartilage and its components - intra-articular fluid, hyaluronic acid, collagens.
  • Physiotherapy - electrophoresis, thermal procedures, dynamic currents - gives good results. Outside of exacerbation, a gentle foot massage helps. The joints are developed gradually using a complex of exercise therapy. In sanatoriums, the results of treatment of foot joints are consolidated, the risk of relapses is reduced, and the period of remission in chronic diseases is prolonged.

    This is what the finished oat broth looks like

    Traditional recipes are another opportunity to alleviate the patient’s condition. Warm foot baths with decoctions of anti-inflammatory plants - birch leaves, chamomile herbs, St. John's wort, sage - are useful.

    The following remedy acts on the cause of the disease. Uric acid salts in gout are eliminated by drinking kidney tea (available in pharmacies) with milk. 2 tablespoons of tea (orthosiphon) are poured into a glass of boiling milk. The container is covered with a lid, infused for 40 minutes, and filtered. Take 3 tbsp three times a day. spoons half an hour before meals for a week. Then follows a break of 1 month.

    Oat decoction is the best remedy for weakened immunity. At night, pour a liter of boiling water into a thermos and add 8 tbsp. spoons of washed oats. In the morning the decoction is ready. After straining, consume half a glass 3-4 times a day.

    The bones of the foot, not counting the toes, are formed by 12 bones of the tarsus and metatarsus. With gout, psoriasis, and arthrosis-arthritis, the small joints of the toes are predominantly affected. Compared to other arthritis, the listed diseases are distinguished by their special symptoms, course and treatment methods.

    Gout, which develops as mono- and polyarthritis of the joints of the feet, is associated with a violation of purine metabolism. In addition to non-steroidal drugs, medications are indicated that remove uric acid from the body and reduce its synthesis - allopurinol, milurate. In case of exacerbation, fasting, alkaline drinking, and a strict diet are recommended.

    Signs of inflammation in gouty arthritis: tissue swelling, redness of the feet

    Arthrosis-arthritis in one disease combines two types of pathologies:

  • degenerative-dystrophic osteoarthritis;
  • inflammatory arthritis.
  • With arthrosis-arthritis of the feet, cartilage is destroyed with the formation of bone growths, which cause reactive inflammation of the periarticular tissues. Painful Heberden's nodes appear in the interphalangeal joints of the toes, and over time the toes become deformed.

    Arthropathic psoriasis affects the skin, small joints of the foot, and nails. In the progressive stage, along with non-steroidal drugs, hormonal tablets, ointments (flucinar, fluorocort), sedatives, a complex of vitamins, and diuretics are prescribed. A calcium diet and photochemotherapy help.

    Arthritis of the foot brings the patient not only physical, but also moral suffering. The ability to work is lost, the usual way of life is disrupted. A person cannot always influence the course of the disease. But sometimes he can reduce the risk of disease. It is enough not to overcool your feet, reduce the load on the joints by losing weight, and ignoring high heels.

    Arthritis of the foot: causes, symptoms, treatment, effective folk remedies

    Arthritis of the foot is an inflammatory disease of the joints, accompanied by pain and deformation of the joint. Arthritis affects both small and large joints. Arthritis of the foot is a fairly common occurrence. Previously it was believed that it was a disease of old age. But all age categories are susceptible to the disease. Its symptoms and treatment are interrelated, so the fight against the disease must be carried out comprehensively. The foot consists of three dozen bones, which, in turn, are connected by eight joints. This is the main point of support when walking. If the correct treatment is not prescribed on time, the entire musculoskeletal system will suffer, starting from the knees and ending with the spine.

    Causes of foot arthritis

    The causes are divided into primary, which arose due to direct damage to the joint, and secondary - from complications of concomitant somatic diseases. The primary causes of foot arthritis include:

  • injuries;
  • anatomical deformations of the foot, an example is a disease such as flat feet;
  • weakened immune system;
  • hard physical work;
  • pregnancy;
  • hypothermia.
  • The last four reasons are not only the causes of arthritis. But also factors that aggravate its course and contribute to the development of complications. Secondary causes of foot arthritis:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis. The disease is systemic, with the greatest frequency affecting small joints. It is of an autoimmune nature.
  • Infections. They can be either specific (tuberculosis, syphilis, gonorrhea), which is characterized by damage to the joints by microorganisms, or nonspecific (streptococcus, pneumococcus), which causes purulent arthritis.
  • Gout. Also called disease of kings. Due to metabolic disorders, uric acid is deposited in the joints, causing acute arthritis.
  • Psoriasis lesions. One of the stages of manifestation of this chronic disease is psoriatic arthritis, which affects the joints of the hands and small joints of the feet.
  • Many factors can be avoided by treating your health correctly and leading a healthy lifestyle. Timely consultation with a doctor can prevent the development of the disease.

    Main symptoms and signs of the disease

    Arthritis of the foot joints is a disease that contributes to the destruction of the joint structure; characteristic signs appear in the early stages:

    • pain when walking;
    • swelling and increased local temperature in the area of ​​the affected joint;
    • restriction of normal mobility;
    • deformation of the foot itself;
    • general malaise.
    • Early signs 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. According to the lesion, mono- and polyarthritis are distinguished. The cause of damage to several joints at once is rheumatism. In this case, both the right and left feet are affected.

      Diagnosis, possible complications

      If treated incorrectly or not consult a doctor in a timely manner, arthritis can cause the development of arthrosis, a dystrophic disease in which the cartilage of the joint is destroyed. The consequences of this disease are extremely serious. Often, restoring normal mobility in the affected limb is only possible through surgery. In this case, the destroyed cartilage is replaced with artificial one.

      Arthrosis-arthritis is also a complication, characterized by an inflammatory process combined with mechanical damage to the joint-ligamentous apparatus. It manifests itself in the form of a dull pain that first occurs when the affected limb is loaded. With further deterioration of the condition, pain occurs at rest.

      It is not difficult to identify foot arthritis by analyzing complaints and examining the patient. For instrumental confirmation, X-rays and MRI are used. The examination clearly reveals the presence of fluid in the joint cavity. X-ray examination uses a contrast method.

      In order to find out the reasons that caused this kind of disease, a blood test is performed to determine C-reactive protein (for rheumatism), uric acid salts (gout). They also collect data on the presence of chronic and infectious diseases and possible injuries.

      How is treatment carried out?

      How to treat foot arthritis should only be decided by a doctor. Do not self-medicate, as this can worsen your condition and the course of the disease.

      The essence of treatment is to relieve inflammation, eliminate pain and restore affected tissues.

      Treatment of foot arthritis is divided into several stages:

    • The use of anti-inflammatory and painkillers.
    • Puncture of the affected joint. This method is used both for diagnostic purposes (to determine the nature of the liquid, the presence of microorganisms) and for therapeutic purposes - the pressure inside the cavity is reduced. Medicines can be administered directly into the joint capsule.
    • Exercise therapy.
    • Physiotherapy.
    • Reducing mechanical impact through the use of orthopedic structures.
    • Surgical intervention.
    • As a medicinal treatment, a complex of drugs is used: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, antibiotics and agents that restore the affected areas of the joint.

      The decision to prescribe a drug is made only by the doctor, who will be based on the symptoms, severity of the disease and individual intolerance to a particular drug.

      Puncture is used when there is a sufficiently large volume of fluid in the joint capsule. If the condition worsens, steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are administered orally, and if an infectious process occurs, then antibiotics. The puncture significantly improves well-being, pain and swelling are reduced.

      These types of therapies are used to treat “from the inside.” To consolidate the results of treatment for arthritis of the feet, exercise therapy, physiotherapy, and acupuncture are used. Physiotherapy includes heating, magnetic therapy, massage and electrophoresis.

      To reduce the load on the joint, it is recommended to use special orthopedic shoes and instep supports. For severe pain or injury, it is better to use a cane.

      In case of severe deformation and damage to the cartilage, endoprosthetics is used.

      It is necessary to take into account all the symptoms, and then the treatment will be selected correctly.

      The basis of the diet for arthritis is to reduce the acidity of the body. It is recommended to eat a large amount of vegetables daily. In advanced cases or exacerbation of foot arthritis, it is recommended to completely switch to raw vegetables.

      First of all, you should stop smoking and drinking alcohol and caffeine. For a diet for gout, you should avoid foods that contain substances that synthesize uric acid. These are offal, fried foods, beans and cauliflower.

      For all types of arthritis, you should increase the amount of calcium in your diet. This is done by taking dairy products. To restore cartilage, you should add fatty fish and seafood to your diet. The menu should be varied, including essential vitamins and minerals.

      Fasting days on boiled rice help remove excess fluid. Effectively removes synovial fluid and salt.

      Diet for arthritis is a good addition to the main treatment.

      To alleviate the course of the disease, you can use folk remedies. You should warm up sore joints using salt baths. Sand can also be used for these purposes. The use of warming procedures is strictly prohibited if you have purulent arthritis. A decoction of chamomile and linden will help with chronic inflammation.

      It is taken one teaspoon before meals for a course of one month. You can drink decoctions of elderberry, nettle, and yarrow, which will relieve pain and relieve inflammation; they also have a bactericidal effect.

      Paraffin baths have proven themselves to be effective in relieving pain associated with signs of arthritis and reducing swelling. All traditional methods should in no case replace traditional treatment. This is an adjuvant therapy.

      To prevent the disease you need to follow the rules:

    • Stick to a diet.
    • Protect joints from excessive impact, use special orthopedic structures. Do not overexert yourself at home and during physical activity.
    • Avoid hypothermia, use heating pads and warm compresses for sore joints.
    • Do gymnastics. You need to take exercise therapy courses to familiarize yourself with the techniques. Later, gymnastics can be repeated at home.
    • If you have signs of arthritis, watch your body weight. Carrying excess weight will increase the stress on sore joints.
    • More often, the causes of arthritis of the feet in children are systemic multiple lesions of the joints or post-traumatic arthritis. There are several types of this disease in children: juvenile chronic arthritis (can affect one joint or many), systemic juvenile arthritis and juvenile spondyloarthritis. Characteristic is damage to the small joints of the foot.

      Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used for treatment. The disease is severe, affecting many organs and systems.

      For the rehabilitation of such patients, physiotherapy and exercise therapy are used. At home, decoctions, paraffin baths and wraps, and warming compresses are used. During periods of remission, the child should be sent to sanatorium-resort treatment.

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