Specialist in arthritis Houston diagnoses and treats arthritis in the foot and ankle. They often recommend a combination of different interventions to lessen discomfort and prevent extra joint damage. Arthritic foot and ankle treatment include modifying activities that pressure the affected joints, taking medications, providing long-term pain relief, and the use of braces and orthotic inserts. For patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis,medication may be used to control the immune body’s response.
Lifestyle
In the early stages of arthritic foot and ankle treatment, limit the force placed on the foot and ankle. To relieve pain, try low-impact activities such as yoga or swimming.
Losing excess weight reduces the pressure on the joints. The foot supports the body when moving and when standing. Being overweight increases, the pressure put on the ankle and foot causes arthritis to progress more quickly. A podiatrist will help you with weight management by making positive changes to your diet and establishing an exercise routine.
Orthotic braces and inserts
Wearing an orthotic insert in a shoe or using a brace helps ease arthritis symptoms. Limit the movement of the ankle and foot joints to relieve stiffness andpain. The orthotic inserts are placed on different parts of the feet to redistribute the weight of the body and support parts of the feet. Shoe orthotics are in different sizes and stiffness.
Braces offer different levels of support and they come in different sizes. Some braces resemble a cast and cover part of the ankle and foot while others are flexible and are used in addition to the regular shoe. A specialist in arthritis Houston is best to advise you on the type of brace that will serve the severity of the symptoms and suit your lifestyle. If you spend time where little walking is required a light brace is all you need but if you are on your feet most of the day you need a more supportive brace.
Braces and inserts are found over the counter but a podiatrist might design a customized one that fits the shape of your foot that is more effective.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Doctors may recommend NSAIDs to relieve pain and reduce swelling in the ankle and foot joints. They can recommend ones taken by mouth. Whether you choose to take prescribed or nonprescribed NSAIDs ask your podiatrist to advise on the right dosage and for how long you should use the medication. Prolonged usage should be monitored by the podiatrist because it can cause diarrhea, headache, and nausea.
Corticosteroid injections
These are anti-inflammatory medications injected directly into the arthritic joint to reduce pain and swelling for the next three to six months. The Houston podiatrist might use a needle to inject the medication into the joint space. The solution contains a small amount of anesthetic that numbs the foot for about 60 minutes. The injections are an outpatient procedure but the injections are limited to two per year. Side effects may include discoloration around the injection site and nausea.