Arthritis is a group of disorders that affect the health of your joints. While osteoarthritis is the most common type, the expert staff at Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers with locations in Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, and Mount Clemens, Michigan, can help you find relief for many types of the disease that affect your feet and ankles. Call the nearest location or schedule an appointment online to learn more about your arthritis treatment options.

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What are the types of arthritis?

More than 100 different types of arthritis exist. The types most often seen at Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It usually occurs with aging and normal wear-and-tear at your joints. The cartilage between your bones, which acts to provide cushioning, deteriorates and you experience pain, stiffness, and swelling as a result. You may experience it in multiple joints or in those that have increased load bearing (such as your ankles and knees) and that are susceptible to overuse.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic process that occurs throughout the body and can commonly affect the joints in your feet and ankles. It’s an autoimmune condition that occurs when the body’s cells malfunction and attack healthy joints. Rheumatoid arthritis routinely causes inflammation of the joint synovium, a special layer of cells that produce the slippery fluid that lubricates joints. This inflammation often occurs at the hands and feet, causing swelling and irritation in the joints. In addition to damage to the joints and cartilage, this disease can also lead to damage to the bones near the joints over time.

Post-traumatic arthritis

This type of arthritis occurs after you’ve experienced an injury to a joint of the feet or ankles. Post-traumatic arthritis is similar to osteoarthritis in that the cartilage is damaged and wears down leading to “bone-on-bone” contact and pain. Post-traumatic arthritis often develops years after an injury occurs.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

The primary symptoms of arthritis are decreased range of motion, swelling, and pain at the joints. This happens because deteriorated cartilage no longer provides cushioning between the bones and painful compression and rubbing occurs. Over time spurs can develop and further limit the range of motion of the joints, causing them to become stiff. Depending on the joint that is affected, patients can see a prominence or a bump in the area of the spur.

You may also start to make modifications to your normal gait due to the pain and discomfort of arthritis. This compensatory action can cause an increase of pain and increase the risk of arthritis in other areas.

Is there a cure for arthritis?

There is no cure for arthritis, but the staff at Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers help you limit the pain associated with your condition. Oral medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help to decrease the inflammation in and around arthritic joints.

The doctors at Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers may offer orthotics, which are customized inserts based off of molds of your feet that help to place your feet in the correct position.

Other potential therapies include bracing, anti-inflammatory injections, and surgery.

If you’re suffering from arthritis that compromises the function of your feet and ankles, call Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers or schedule online right away to get relief.