If you regularly experience foot or ankle pain and it doesn’t improve with at-home treatment, you may have arthritis. There’s no cure for arthritis, but intervention and treatment can relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life. At Kenneth Meisler, DPM, PLLC & Associates, the providers offer complete care for foot and ankle arthritis. Make an appointment today by calling the office on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, or click the online booking feature.

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What is arthritis?

Arthritis refers to a group of over 100 diseases that cause joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. The most common type of arthritis –– osteoarthritis –– occurs when your cartilage, a soft substance that pads your bones, wears down because of age. This causes your bones to rub against each other affecting your mobility and quality of life.

There’s no way to prevent arthritis entirely, but you can reduce your risk by living a healthy lifestyle.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

Common symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis include:

  • Tenderness
  • Pain
  • Reduced ability to move or walk
  • Stiffness
  • Swelling

As your arthritis worsens, you might also have difficulty exercising, working, or doing other tasks.

When should I see a podiatrist for arthritis?

Make an appointment at Kenneth Meisler, DPM, PLLC & Associates, if you develop chronic foot or ankle pain and it doesn’t improve with at-home treatments, like rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medicine. That’s especially true if your symptoms occur alongside swelling, bruising, or mobility problems.

How is arthritis diagnosed?

To diagnose arthritis, your Kenneth Meisler, DPM, PLLC & Associates provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when the pain started, if it’s worse during activities like work, and what it feels like.

Next, your provider examines your feet, toes, and ankles looking for swelling or bruising. They check your range of motion, test your reflexes, and ask you to walk around the exam room. Your provider also orders X-rays or a CT scan to look at your bones and joints.

How is arthritis treated?

Treatment of foot and ankle arthritis depends on various things, including your age, the type of arthritis you have, and the intensity of your symptoms. The expert providers at Kenneth Meisler, DPM, PLLC, & Associates often recommend conservative treatments like:

  • Losing weight
  • Custom orthotics
  • Inserts that support your foot and ankle
  • Physical therapy
  • Braces for joint support
  • Pain relievers
  • Corticosteroid injections

If your pain doesn’t improve after a few weeks or months, surgery might be necessary. During surgery, your provider uses special tools to remove the diseased or damaged portions of your bones and joints. Then, they replace them with prosthetics, restoring your mobility and range of motion.

To explore the treatment options for arthritis, make an appointment at Kenneth Meisler, DPM, PLLC & Associates by calling the office or booking online today.