Our Services / Arthritis

If you experience foot or ankle pain and it doesn’t respond to treatments like ice and rest, you may have arthritis. At Foot Specialist Associates, Lauren Molchan, DPM, John McGarry, DPM, and the caring team of podiatry and sports medicine specialists diagnose and treat foot and ankle arthritis. To make an appointment, call the office in Denver, Colorado, or book online today.

What is foot and ankle arthritis?

Arthritis is a group of chronic diseases that cause joint pain and inflammation. There are many types of arthritis, but Foot Specialist Associates primarily focuses on:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis causes your cartilage –– a soft substance that pads your joints –– to deteriorate. As more cartilage wears away, your bones rub against each other, causing swelling, stiffness, and pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system attacks the lining of your joints. Over time, that causes your joints to swell, affecting their mobility and range of motion.

Gout

Gout causes your body to produce too much uric acid. Over time, that causes uric acid to crystallize and deposit in your joints, causing pain and inflammation.

What are the symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis?

Symptoms of arthritis include:

• Tenderness
• Pain
• Reduced ability to move or walk
• Joint stiffness
• Swelling

As the condition worsens, you might also experience difficulty standing up or putting weight on your affected foot or ankle.

How is arthritis diagnosed?

At Foot Specialist Associates, your podiatrist diagnoses arthritis during an in-office consultation. First, they review your medical records and ask about your symptoms, including when they first started, if certain activities like exercise make them worse, and if they respond to at-home treatments like rest.

Next, your podiatrist conducts a physical exam. They press on your foot and ankle to identify areas of swelling, redness, or sensitivity and check your range of motion and flexibility. Your provider also orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI.

After determining the type of arthritis, the Foot Specialists Associates team develops a custom treatment plan.

How is foot and ankle arthritis treated?

Treatment of foot and ankle arthritis depends on several factors, including the type and severity of your symptoms. Foot Specialists Associates usually recommends conservative treatments, like:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Custom orthotics
• Over-the-counter heel pads or ankle inserts
• Using a cane or walker
• Anti–inflammatory medications
• Physical therapy
• Activity modification

If conservative treatments don’t provide relief, surgery might be necessary. The podiatrists at Foot Specialists Associates have experience performing complete ankle replacements for arthritis. 

To explore the treatment options for arthritis, make an appointment at Foot Specialist Associates by calling the office or booking online today.