Arthritis of the Foot & Ankle

Arthritis causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints of the foot. Osteoarthritis is when the cartilage cushion between the joints wears away, causing the bones to rub together. Painful bone Spurs may also form around the affected joints. Common sites for arthritis in the foot include the mid portion of the foot at the top of the arch, the big toe joint and in the ankle. Arthritis in the foot and ankle is more commonly caused by injuries then hip and knee arthritis.

Pain in the toe joints can also be caused by rheumatoid arthritis, in which the immune system attacks the toe joints and causes swelling and pain. With psoriatic arthritis, another autoimmune disease, the entire toe can swell up.

When to See a Doctor

See your doctor if you think you might have osteoarthritis in the foot. The sooner you get some help, the more you can do to slow down the wear and tear on the joint.
Your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist who will show you exercises to relieve the pain in your foot.

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Home Care Options

Ice and rest can relieve the pain from osteoarthritis in the toes.
Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID) like ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling.

Arthritis of the Foot & Ankle

Causes

When to See a Doctor

Treatments

Home Care Options

Locations Near

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