How to Cure Foot Arthritis
This is the 12th article in the series of articles on how to cure foot problems. However this one is a bit of a misnomer as arthritis technically isn’t cureable. That doesn’t mean that nothing can be done about it as there are plenty of treatment options available to help.
Most joints in our body are made up of bones, lined with cartilage, surrounded by a joint capsule with a lining inside called the synovium that produces synovial fluid. This works a lubricant like WD40 for the joints, but also helps nourish & protect the cartilage from damage. In the feet alone, there are 33 joints, which means 66 joints across both feet. Those joints take our body weight when standing, and even more load when running, dancing, jumping or playing golf for instance.
There are 2 main types of arthritis that affect the feet. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS is less common type and involves complex systemic disease processes which can have significant effect on the feet as it can cause synovitis (inflammation of the synovium). The first signs of it usually start in the small joints of the feet, so good Podiatrists are sometimes the first to spot this and arrange appropriate referral to a Rheumatologist as the condition is managed systemically, usually with medication and lifestyle management.
The most common type is OSTEOARTHRITIS, formerly thought of as ‘wear & tear’ of joints (but increasingly being referred to as ‘wear & repair’). This involves damage to the cartilage and bone with possible remodelling of tissue taking place, hence osteoarthritic joints becoming swollen / enlarged and ‘knobbly’. Osteoarthritis is a localised joint problem although it can affect many joints at the same time throughout the body (although at different stages). One of the most well-known ones is hip arthritis with a common treatment being hip replacement i.e. surgeons remove the “worn out” joint and put in a new artificial joint. This is the only real cure available for arthritis but is not suitable for everyone, and joint replacements in the feet are not as assured of success as hip replacements as the joints are much smaller. Commonly osteoarthritis in the foot affects the 1st metatarso-phalangeal joint (big toe joint), mid-tarsal joints (middle of foot), and ankle/sub-talar joint complex (ankle & below).
However here are the some of the successful non-surgical treatment options available to help with symptoms of arthritis in the feet:
- Foot exercises to help maintain range & quality of motion of the joints
- Foot exercises to strengthen tissues around the joints to help keep them protected
- Insoles & footwear to change forces on joints and support the foot to help alleviate pain – for maximum benefit these need to be specific to the foot type and presenting pathology as there is significant variation in ‘prescriptions’ available
- Injectable substances (such as steroids, hyaluronic acid, glucose) which can help reduce inflammation and increase joint lubrication
- Medications such as anti-inflammatories, ‘pain-killers’, and dietary supplements (although there is only weak scientific evidence to support use of the latter)
- Laser therapy which can reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and encourage repair of damaged tissue.
I was the first Podiatrist in the UK to take on board a specific laser (MLS ASA Laser) to help with foot arthritis. Over the 7 years I have used it, I don’t recall ever seeing it fail in improving symptoms of arthritis, and some of the results could be described as miraculous and life transforming for patients. One patient I present as a case history to colleagues hobbled in to see me obviously in significant pain and frustrated that she could no longer ride her horse. This was all due to ankle arthritis, but after 6 weeks of laser therapy she was walking pain-free and able to ride again.
When symptoms of arthritis are reduced, then it is easier to do exercises and keep mobile, which adds to the benefits. So don’t get into the mindset of ‘wear & tear’ where nothing but surgery works. Instead approach osteoarthritis as ‘wear & repair’ knowing that there are treatment options to help you get better even if full “cure” is not available (unless the joint is replaced).
So if you would like to see if anything can be done to help you with any foot pain (whether from arthritis or something else), call us on 01926 811272 or book online at www.healthfirstsoutham.co.uk/book-appointment
Jonathan Small, Lead Podiatrist, Health First Foot & Gait Clinic, Southam, 01926 811272
“I have received first class treatment and my foot is feeling less painful especially after the laser treatment I had on it.” M.R. Southam