World Arthritis Day is a global awareness day held every year on the 12th of October. This condition affects a large part of the world’s population and yet often gone overlooked.
Studies have shown that foot or ankle osteoarthritis can lead to disabling pain in as many as 7 out of 10 patients. This leads to functional limitations and impairment in balance, strength, and mobility and may be the cause of frequent falls. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease. It starts as joint inflammation but can progress to swelling, joint pain, and stiffness. The foot and ankle are commonly affected; with 9 out of 10 patients reported having foot pain during the course of the disease.
The major types of foot and ankle arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and posttraumatic arthritis.
World Arthritis Day aims to help raise awareness on the impact of rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) throughout the world. In turn, effective drugs, therapies, and care as well as nutrition, physical therapy, and psychological care should be made available.
Early diagnosis is definitely of utmost importance. Initial treatment of arthritis of the foot and ankle is usually nonsurgical. Your physician may recommend a variety of treatment options from lifestyle modifications, assistive devices, medications, and physical therapy. If your pain is not relieved with nonsurgical treatments and causes significant disability, your doctor may recommend surgery.
For more information on foot and ankle arthritis, contact Family Foot & Leg Center, P.A.
at (239) 430-3668 or visit NaplesPodiatrist.com.
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