| Foot arthritis could be described as one of the more | | | | serious of tests and physical examinations will need to |
| common forms of arthritis. The problem with the foot | | | | be performed. The doctor will also require information |
| is that it consists of 28 bones and 30 joints, of which | | | | about your health and lifestyle to give clues on the |
| any are susceptible to arthritis. If arthritis develops in | | | | complexity of the condition. The next step is to |
| any of these joints, its going to affect the way you | | | | perform a walking analysis. In performing this walking |
| walk, run and move in general. The joints in the foot | | | | analysis, the doctor will measure your stride and test |
| which are more commonly affected are: the big toe, | | | | your ankle and foot strength. Certain diagnostic imaging |
| the ankle, the mid foot and the hind foot joint. | | | | tests may also be required to further diagnose your |
| The most common form of arthritis which develops in | | | | condition- theses may include and X-Ray, CT or MRI |
| the foot is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the result of | | | | scan. |
| getting older, and essentially wear and tear on the | | | | After fully evaluating your foot arthritis, your doctor |
| joints and cartilage. The cartilage wears down, and the | | | | physician will devise the most suitable treatment plan. |
| bones rub together resulting in pain and swelling. | | | | There are many non-surgical treatments available, |
| Traumatic arthritis is a common form of osteoarthritis | | | | these include: |
| that develops in the foot of a patient following some | | | | Taking anti-inflammatory medication |
| form of severe injury. This can develop in the foot | | | | Steroid injection |
| even when the injury was treated correctly, and given | | | | Foot brace or cane usage |
| time to recover fully. The most common forms of | | | | Ankle and foot support usage |
| traumatic foot arthritis are a torn ligament, broken bone | | | | Physical therapy |
| or severe sprain. | | | | The final treatment option is surgery, and is generally |
| There are various symptoms and indications of foot | | | | reserved as a 'last resort' when all other treatment |
| arthritis, which should alert the sufferer to the condition | | | | methods have failed. The key to effectively treating |
| immediately. These symptoms include swelling, | | | | arthritis is early diagnosis. Don't ignore those sensations |
| tenderness, pain, stiffness and reduced mobility of the | | | | of stiffness and soreness; see a doctor as soon as |
| affected joint. All these symptoms will eventually lead | | | | possible, so that you have the best chance of treating |
| to a difficulty in walking. | | | | your foot arthritis. |
| For a doctor to properly diagnose foot arthritis, a | | | | |