One of the most common and painful ailments is foot arthritis. A person faced with it has to endure painful sensations in the legs, due to deformation of the joints, wear special shoes. If you postpone it, you will have to subsequently limit physical activity, which will negatively affect the quality of life.
Sometimes special shoes are also needed. Although expensive, both orthopedics and custom shoes are often covered, at least in part, by health insurance. Some shoe stores focus on providing footwear for people with foot problems. Typically, the sales staff at these stores can recommend shoes that will help most with your specific problem. In fact, some of these stores have coasters on staff. The pedostist can point to a shoe that provides arch support and cushioning to the sides and soles, and he can stretch the shoe or insert pads as needed to help the shoe feel more comfortable.
Arthritis of the foot - what is it
The pathological process is an inflammation involving the joints of the tarsus, phalanges of the fingers. As a result of the failure of the foot to fulfill its functions, the main load falls on the knee, hip joint causing problems in them too. There are no age and sex differences for this disease. Arthritis affects women and men equally in different ages... It often leads to disability if the disease is ignored.
Additional treatments
No matter where you shop, you'll want to avoid buying shoes that rub on your feet and cause soreness. This can happen even more easily when the joints are no longer properly aligned, causing lumps, calluses, calluses, and nodules to develop or become more painful. So take the time to find the right shoes to avoid walking on your feet that are in pain.
Surgery is generally considered the "last resort" for arthritis. While surgery is sometimes necessary to correct a problem before arthritis develops, most arthritis surgeries are performed to relieve pain or deformity only when non-surgical treatments have been exhausted, and leg problems affect a person's quality of life. Surgical options may include removal of damaged tissue, joint fusion, and joint replacement.
Varieties of arthritis
There are several forms of arthritis that differ in a number of features:- Rheumatoid arthritis... The joints become swollen and thickened. Soreness appears. In the future, the foot is deformed.
- Osteoarthritis... Articular tissues and adjacent bones are affected. The toes are twisted in such a way that the foot begins to resemble the flipper of a walrus.
- Gouty arthritis of the joints of the foot first shows itself as inflammation thumb... Gradually, it takes over other joints. Uric acid builds up, forming small nodules, causing severe bouts of pain.
- Reactive arthritis occurs after infection which was carried over in the past. The inflammation spreads to the ligaments and tendons. Signs usually appear after 10 to 20 days.
The occurrence of one or another type of arthritis is associated with specific reasons. Only a doctor can establish an accurate diagnosis.
Herbal preparations for oral administration
Superiority is usually performed arthroscopically, with tiny lights, cameras, and other instruments inserted through small incisions. In this way, bone spurs can be removed. Fusion of joints is performed mainly to treat painful joints. These tools are kept in place until the bones grow together and become one. Bone grafts can also be used if there is loss bone tissue... In a graft, a piece of bone is taken from a leg or pelvis and placed where needed.
Causes of occurrence
Regardless of the type of disease, arthritis of the foot is provoked by:
Often, arthritis affects people of certain professions associated with increased or, conversely, insufficient mobility - teachers, football players.
While it works well, fusion can increase stress on nearby bones and joints. In addition, depending on the bones involved, the fusion of the ankle joint can leave a person with a stiff joint and a slightly different walk. Joint ankle replacement is used to treat severe joint damage and pain. Unlike fusion, ankle joint replacement provides improved mobility and flexibility. If the joint replacement is weakened, the operation can be performed again. Most ankle changes last 10 years or more, although this number depends on factors such as your weight, activity level, and the amount of ankle injury.
Common Symptoms
The symptoms of the disease differ depending on the type of arthritis. However, they are united by a common symptomatology.
At first, slight painful sensations appear in the joint area.... As the inflammatory process they get stronger. The pain becomes especially unbearable when moving or other active action... These symptoms of foot arthritis cannot be ignored. The sooner you start treatment, the better your chances of recovery.
Recovery from foot and ankle surgery takes time, possibly up to four to nine months. It is important to control pain during this time as it participates in physical therapy to build strength and improve range of motion in the reconstructed joint. It is also necessary to reduce activity until complete recovery and recovery.
The main symptoms of foot arthritis
As with any joint affected by arthritis, stretching, warm moisture, and massage can feel really good on your feet. Soaking your feet in warm water; By wrapping them in warm, damp towels; Or, using paraffin wax dips, you can relax muscles and reduce pain and stiffness. Some people enjoy a gentle foot massage that can provide the same benefits, and some even try reflexology, a form of foot massage that targets specific points on the leg to relieve pain.
The diseased area is swollen, there is redness skin... The joint becomes hot to the touch. Together with the pain symptom, these signs may soon disappear. Nevertheless, there is no need to talk about recovery - the disease goes into remission. After a certain period, it is worth waiting for the appearance of unpleasant symptoms again.
Suspected arthritis causes joint stiffness... The most noticeable limitation of his mobility in the morning or after a prolonged state of rest. It is worth moving for a few minutes, as the stiffness disappears. As the disease progresses, the period of fossilization of the joint lasts longer each time, and does not stop after long walking.
And a monthly pedicure not only feels good, but it also helps your feet look good despite the bumps and deformities that can develop over the years. If you try any of these methods, be sure to tell your physical therapist, massage therapist, reflexologist, and pedicure that you have arthritis and in particular what types of foot problems you usually experience. They will need to treat your feet gently, especially if you are having your first treatment and are unsure how your body will respond.
Finally, if your legs hurt, avoid overdoing them as you would for any other painful joint. Walk a little, rest, then walk a little more. Remember, your feet have millions of steps that you can take in your life - so take care of them!
The shape of the joints changes. A lump (growth) jumps out on the sore area, the result is twisted fingers. Such symptoms indicate an already advanced stage of the disease. Violation of the drainage of fluid from the synovium leads to a violation in the form of deformity. The patient's toes may become hammer-like or claw-shaped.
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Throughout our lives, our feet and ankles can take a real rung. The two most common forms of foot and ankle arthritis are osteoarthritis and post-traumatic arthritis. Osteoarthritis, or "wear-out arthritis," is naturally degenerative. Over the years, the cartilage that covers the ends of our bones simply frays and wears out, causing inflammation, swelling, tenderness, or pain, and reduced ability to walk and carry weight. Post-traumatic arthritis develops after an injury to the foot or ankle, such as a fracture or dislocation.
Video
Video - Symptoms of foot arthritis
Treatment methods
If you find the first signs of illness, do not postpone a visit to the doctor. Only a qualified specialist (orthopedist, rheumatologist) knows , how to treat arthritis of the foot on a case-by-case basis. Establishing an accurate diagnosis, determining the causes of the pathology of the joints, helps to make the treatment more effective.
Arthritis of the foot - what is it
PTSD can be very similar to osteoarthritis and also affects patients. It can take a long time, even years, to present. Compared to arthritis in the hip and knee joints which is more often degenerative, arthrosis of the foot and ankle is most common after trauma.
The following are the joints of the feet most commonly affected by osteoarthritis and post-traumatic arthritis. Forefoot: Big toe joint and first metatarsal bone. ... There are surgical and non-surgical treatments for arthritis of the foot and ankle.
Drug treatment
The therapeutic course is prescribed based on the results of analyzes that determine the amount of protein, the level of lactic acid. When diagnosing arthritis, which is of an infectious nature, antibiotics are necessarily prescribed.
To relieve pain syndrome, which always accompanies arthritis of the small joints of the foot, to eliminate inflammation, the use of non-steroidal drugs helps. When they are introduced into the joint cavity, relief comes much faster.
Healthy lifestyle
Ankle and leg support panels. Physical therapy. Custom boots. Weight control.
- Steroid medications injected into the joints.
- Channels and braces to support joints.
This surgery, also called arthrodesis, involves melting bones together using rods, pins, screws, or plates. Such an operation involves replacing the ankle joint with artificial implants. Joint replacement surgery. ... Certainly, The best way Preventing arthritis in your feet and ankles is taking care of them first. Here are some ways to look after your feet and ankles.
Excessive elimination uric acid provided by special drugs. The use of chondroprotectors blocks further destruction of cartilage tissue.
Importance of diet
Proper nutrition is one of essential conditions arthritis treatment. Joint inflammation is often caused by a lack of a balanced diet.
- Wear shoes that are suitable for shoes that are shaped like your foot.
- Shoes for shoes that have support - for example, without overhead boots.
- Slip on rubber soles for extra cushioning.
- Exercise and stretch the legs and ankles.
Hold this position for five seconds and repeat the exercise ten times. Toes.
- You can feel the pull in your Achilles tendon and calf.
- Repeat this exercise three times, holding for ten seconds each time.
- Thumb.
List of foods to avoid: 
It is necessary that the menu is dominated by vegetables, herbs, fruits. Useful cereals on the water, dairy products, fish (sea). It is recommended to drink more liquids - pure water, green tea.
A popular diet that involves the use of only one raw vegetables, fruit for a week. The number of meals is 3 times a day. After 2 months, repeat the diet.
The types of medications that are commonly used to treat arthritis. Including over a dozen different medications, some of which are available without a prescription, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain and inflammation of arthritis.
They are used for all forms of arthritis. Corticosteroids. These fast-acting cortisone-like drugs made by your own body are used to control inflammation. If inflammation is caused by systemic inflammatory disease, your doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids. If the inflammation is limited to one or more joints, your doctor may inject a corticosteroid drug directly into the joint.
The excretion of salts from the joints is facilitated by a rice diet. Pour rice with water overnight (1: 2). In the morning, drain it and replace it with the same amount of fresh one, then cook the cereal.
After dividing the portion into 4 parts, eat during the day according to a certain scheme:
- Z and 20 minutes before meals, drink water (at least a glass).
- Drink a rosehip decoction throughout the day.
- The next day, eat 0.5 kg of boiled beets and 200 g of apples.
After 4 days, repeat everything.
Analgesics. Analgesics are some of the most common medications for many forms of arthritis. They can also be used to relieve pain from leg problems and surgery. When used as directed, they are also a suitable and arguably safer choice for people whose arthritis causes pain but not inflammation.
These topical medications work through a variety of active ingredients and can be helpful if you are unable to take oral medications, or if medications do not help relieve pain or reduce it to a level you can control. Diseases modifying antirheumatic drugs. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are drugs that work slowly to change the course of inflammatory diseases.
Folk remedies
A speedy recovery will provide treatment for arthritis of the foot using folk recipes. You should consult a doctor about the use of certain home methods.
In chronic arthritis, in order to get rid of pain, relieve the inflammatory process, foot baths and compresses are used. It is important to consider that in an acute inflammatory process, thermal procedures are contraindicated.
Gout medications. Some medications for gout are designed to lower uric acid levels in the blood to prevent future bouts of joint pain and inflammation. Others are designed to relieve pain and inflammation of an acute attack. Many people with gout take both types of medication.
Biological response modifiers. The newest category of drugs used for rheumatoid arthritis and several other inflammatory forms of arthritis are biological agents. Each of them blocks the process of inflammation without suppressing the entire immune system. In addition to rheumatoid arthritis some biological agents can be used for juvenile arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis.
For external use, there are funds:
- Warming compress made from grated raw potatoes. The mass heated in a saucepan to a temperature of 38 ° C is spread on a cloth. Apply to a sore spot until it cools completely.
- Sea salt compress. It is applied to the joint area, after rubbing it with fir oil.
- Black radish with honey. Rub the root vegetable, squeeze the juice through cheesecloth and mix it with ¾ glass of honey. Add salt (½ tablespoon) and vodka (½ cup) to the mixture. Rub the mixed mass into the joint, wrapping it on top with a warm handkerchief.
- Ointment. A powerful treatment for deforming arthritis. Mix turpentine (1 tsp) with egg yolk and beat until frothy. Pour in a spoonful of apple cider vinegar.
- Decoction of medicinal plants. Mix in a tablespoon of dried St. John's wort, chamomile flowers, linden and pour boiling water (1 glass). Drink gradually until the end of the day. The course of treatment is long, sometimes it lasts a year.
- Cabbage and carrot juice, mixed equally. Drink a glass a day.
- A decoction of black currant fruits. Take 3 tablespoons per day.
- Chop green beans (20 g), add water (1 L) and boil for 40 minutes. Cool the resulting broth, drink after straining 0.5 cups a day.
It is important to remember that home remedies for arthritis of the joints of the foot can only be combined with traditional methods. All recipes traditional medicine must be agreed with the doctor.
Additional treatments
Physiotherapeutic procedures, physiotherapy exercises, and the wearing of special shoes come to the rescue in the fight against arthritis of the joints. Positive results are achieved with the passage of spa treatment.
Of the methods of physiotherapy, the following deserve attention: 
Paraffin therapy should be singled out separately. An application of heated paraffin is applied to the affected joint. To heat it, use a special apparatus. Regular performance of the procedure gives an excellent result - pain decreases, swelling is relieved, joints become more mobile.
All physiotherapeutic procedures, as well as a complex of physiotherapy exercises, can be performed only during the period of remission.
The effectiveness of hirudotherapy has long been recognized. Leeches help to cope with stagnation, activate the body's defenses.
The restoration of bone and cartilage tissue can be achieved with the help of mud therapy. At the same time, the joint warms up, due to which the pain syndrome is stopped.
It is important to notice the symptoms characteristic of arthritis of the foot in time, and start treatment immediately. Then it will be possible to defeat the disease and prevent the occurrence of irreversible changes in the joints.
Joint diseases are not uncommon. They affect not only the elderly with poor health, but also young enough, 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 articular tissue. And this is already a limitation of physical activity, difficulties in choosing shoes and a sharp decrease in the quality of life.
What is arthritis and its types
The feet on the feet perform important tasks in the body. They help a person to keep balance, perform pushing movements when walking and absorb road bumps. Inflammatory processes in the articular tissues inevitably lead to deformation of the cartilage, it loses its ability to fully function and the load falls on other joints - knee and hip. Not intended for such functions, they also start to cause problems over time. Thus, the feet are 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, which are part of the structure of this part of the body.
There are several types of the disease:
- Rheumatoid. Disease of the small joints of the legs. It occurs against the background of autoimmune pathologies and is typical for the young part of the population up to 45 years old. At the same time, women are susceptible to the disease three times more often than men.
- Gout. The result of pathology in the work of the kidneys, associated with a violation of the metabolism of uric acid. It is characterized by the appearance of a "bump" on the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe. At the same time, there is a high risk of damage to neighboring, interphalangeal and ankle joints... It is more common in the male half of the population who have reached the age of 55.
- 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.
- Reactive arthritis. Autoimmune pathology, disease of the young. Typical for the male population aged 20 to 40. The result of acute infectious diseases(intestinal, venereal, colds, viral).
- Other forms of the disease. It can occur as a result of congenital flat feet, improper shoes, injuries.
Causes of articular diseases of the legs
Timely treatment of other diseases can save you from such trouble as arthritis of the foot. Indeed, quite often it is a consequence of the neglected pathological processes of the body. The main reasons for the development of leg arthritis are:
- 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.
- Violation of metabolic processes in the body, that is, autoimmune pathologies. To a large extent, the body is at risk, often suffering from hypothermia of the legs, stress, ARVI, acute respiratory infections, flu.
- Genetics. The disease is not directly inherited, but if there were cases of legs in the family, then the probability of getting sick to direct descendants is quite high.
- Injuries. Leg fractures, dislocations, bruises, especially of the metatarsophalangeal joint, do not go unnoticed in the future. Due to the heavy load on the feet, they suffer more often than other joints.
- Obesity. By nature, human joints are designed for a certain body weight and excess weight exerts a strong additional load on them, which cannot but affect the condition of the bones and connective tissue of the legs.
- Age. Over the years, the human body weakens and cannot cope with suppressing inflammatory processes. This is not the case for rheumatoid arthritis, which also occurs in very young people.
- Poor nutrition. Lack of minerals and vitamins causes thinning of the joint tissue and provokes inflammation.
- Low or too high activity. Often associated with professional activities... Foot arthritis often affects teachers or soccer players.
- Incorrectly fitted shoes. Lovers of hairpins, narrow "boats" are the main contenders for the development of the disease.
- Diseases. Diabetes mellitus, conditions of immunodeficiency are frequent companions of arthritis of the joints of the legs.
- Lifestyle. Alcoholic, nicotine addiction, systematic stressful situations.
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:
- The joint hurts. With movement and long standing on the legs, the pain becomes more intense and more pronounced.
- The appearance of the joint has changed, deformed.
- The soft tissues adjacent to the diseased organ are swollen, reddened and hot when touched.
- Difficulty moving, especially after getting up in the morning.
- Foot mobility is limited, fingers move with difficulty, joints can crunch.
In addition, there may be symptoms characteristic of many diseases accompanied by inflammation:
- temperature increase;
- weakness, chills;
- loss of appetite.
Diagnostics of the arthritis of the foot
For the treatment of joint inflammation, it is necessary to supply correct diagnosis... With symptoms of arthritis, you should consult a rheumatologist, therapist, orthopedist. If there were previously injuries, then you need to consult a traumatologist.
It is not difficult to diagnose arthritis of the joints of the foot. To do this, appoint: MRI, ultrasound, X-ray studies, computed tomography. To find out the causes of the disease, blood tests for sugar and biochemistry are taken. Sometimes puncture of small joints is required to collect synovial fluid.
Drug therapy for the treatment of arthritis of the feet
Joint diseases require immediate action. This is the only way to prevent bone deformation, due to which a person can lose motor functions. V medical complex includes:
- Taking non-steroidal drugs for pain relief and edema relief.
- Glucocorticosteroid in the joint to eliminate pain symptoms.
- A course of antibiotics if arthritis is triggered by an infection (eg, rheumatoid).
- Formation of chondroprotectors to stop the destructive process in cartilage and restorative in tissues.
- Plaster splint. In case of illness in an acute period, to immobilize the foot.
- Diet.
In addition, physiotherapy is carried out: mud wraps, physiotherapy, massage, magnetotherapy sessions, etc.
In especially advanced conditions, prosthetics of the metatarsophalangeal joints or resection may be required. Only a doctor can decide how to treat arthritis of the foot. Do not try to get rid of the signs of illness at home. Folk remedies can only be auxiliary and used for treatment only with the approval of a doctor.
Traditional medicine for arthritis relief
At home, in addition to medication, you can use folk recipes to relieve pain symptoms and reduce swelling. Only with the permission of a doctor! Many specialists themselves provide some advice from non-professional medicine in addition to basic therapy.
A decoction of black currant fruits, used to reduce joint swelling and pain
- Compress with lemon juice to warm up and relieve pain.
- A decoction of black currant fruits to reduce joint swelling and pain.
- 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 for pain relief.
- Sea salt compress for warming up, relieving pain.
You can also do therapeutic exercises at home. For people at risk, such exercise can be done to prevent and prevent the onset of signs of arthritis, especially rheumatoid at a young age. And always pay due attention to the choice of shoes and the treatment of colds, infectious and traumatic conditions.
Treatment prognosis
Disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Everyone knows this, but, nevertheless, the number of patients with arthritis is not only not decreasing, but steadily growing. Traumatic sports, the fashion for high heels and ridiculous shoes, harmful fast food, a sedentary lifestyle, unpleasant diseases - all this provokes the development of arthritis of the joints of the feet.
The favorableness of the prognosis in healing depends on how advanced the disease is, and whether the correct course of treatment is chosen. With severe inflammation and deformation of the bones, the treatment will be long, painful and not having a 100% guarantee of success - the risk of being lame, with gait disorders and even an invalid is not just empty words, but a real threat.