What Forms of Arthritis Affect Feet?

Your feet are amazing structures — by the age of 50, the average pair of feet has logged 75,000 miles, and this is all accomplished on small appendages that, surprisingly, contain about a quarter of the total number of bones in the human body. All those tiny bones are connected by about 33 joints in each foot, which means arthritis is a clear and present danger.

Since May is National Arthritis Awareness Month, the team of foot health experts at Arizona Foot and Ankle Medical Center wants to shine the spotlight on the types of arthritis that can develop in your feet and ankles. 

Although there are more than 100 different conditions that lead to pain and inflammation in your joints, a few can really make themselves known in your feet and ankles.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is known as a wear-and-tear disease. OA affects about 33 million Americans, and the disease can affect any joint in your body, including your feet and ankles.

With OA, the protective cartilage that covers the bones in your joints begins to break down, allowing more friction inside the joint. This friction, along with loose bodies in your joint made up of cartilage and bone fragments, leads to the pain and inflammation associated with OA.

Gout

More than 12 million Americans have gout, an inflammatory form of arthritis that tends to affect the joints in the big toes. Gout occurs when uric acid builds up in your body, thanks to high levels of purines. 

This buildup collects in your joints, where uric acid can become sharp crystals that lead to the moderate-to-severe pain that’s common with gout.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Another road to arthritis is through autoimmune diseases that attack your joints, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a perfect example. 

With RA, which affects about 1.5 million Americans, your body attacks the linings of your joints. Although this can happen in any joint, RA tends to show up first in your extremities, which means your hands and feet. These symptoms typically include stiffness, pain, and/or tenderness.

Psoriatic arthritis

About 20% of the more than 8 million Americans with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. This form of arthritis often affects the feet, especially the backs of the heels and the plantar fascia along the soles. The primary complaints with psoriatic arthritis are pain, stiffness, and inflammation, which make moving more painful.

Moving more comfortably

Arthritis can affect your feet and ankles in myriad ways, and when it does, it can have no small impact on your life. 

To move again without pain, it’s important to have the right diagnostic and treatment team in your corner, such as the one found here at Arizona Foot and Ankle Medical Center. Our experts have experience diagnosing different forms of arthritis and helping patients live pain-free.

For experienced and skilled oversight of your foot and ankle arthritis, we invite you to contact us at one of our conveniently located offices in Chandler and Laveen, Arizona, to schedule a consultation. You can also request an appointment via the online booking tool.