Arthritis Specialist

Bluebonnet Foot and Ankle Institute

Podiatrists located in Austin, TX

As you age, the wear and tear placed on your joints increases your chance of developing arthritis. In fact, more than 50 million Americans are suffering from some type of arthritis. At Bluebonnet Foot and Ankle Institute, Babak Kaviani, DPM, and Liza Chabokrow, DPM, specialize in caring for arthritic feet and ankles. Their extensive background in nonsurgical and surgical treatments provides you with multiple options for joint pain relief and care. If you live in Austin, Texas, or the surrounding area, book an appointment online or by phone.

Arthritis Q & A

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a broad term for inflammatory conditions that occur in joints and the resulting pain and symptoms. When arthritis develops in your feet, it can severely impact your mobility and quality of life.

While there are many types of arthritis, the main kinds that affect the foot are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. If left untreated, inflammation can damage your joints, leading to more pain and decreased motion of the affected joints.

Some common symptoms in arthritic joints of the foot and ankle include:

  • Swelling
  • Pain
  • Warmth
  • Stiffness

In some instances, such as with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation can cause severe cartilage damage that can leave your joints permanently deformed.

How does arthritis affect the feet and ankles?

Your feet are typically affected by the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis. Over time, the wear and tear of daily movement and exercise begin to break down the cartilage between the bones in your feet, causing them to grind together when you walk. This, in turn, leads to inflammation, which causes pain and other arthritic symptoms.

Men and women in their forties are at an age where the damage from typical wear and tear of the feet is beginning to show. Fast forward a couple of decades, and almost half of people in their sixties and seventies suffer from arthritis-related foot pain.

Gout is a form of arthritis caused by an increase in uric acid in the bloodstream. High levels of uric acid in your blood lead to deposits of tiny crystals in and around your joints, which cause sudden inflammation and pain. This form of arthritis is commonly found in men and typically affects one joint at a time, usually beginning with the big toe.

Arthritis can affect any of the joints in your foot and ankle, including the middle portion of your foot. Those with bunions are also very susceptible.

What treatments are available for foot arthritis?

Both noninvasive and surgical options are available for treating arthritis of the feet. Noninvasive treatment options include various medications to reduce pain and inflammation. Dr. Kaviani and Dr. Chabokrow use these conservative treatments whenever possible.

Paying special attention to diet and weight management can help you lose weight, which reduces stress and pressure on the feet that contribute to arthritis.

For severe forms of arthritis affecting the foot and ankle, surgery might be necessary.

Some surgical treatments commonly used for arthritis are:

  • Joint fusion: fusing bones within a joint together to reduce pain and inflammation caused by friction
  • Bone trimming: removal of bone spurs and growths resulting from worn down cartilage
  • Arthroscopic debridement: removal of inflamed tissue and bone spurs

Dr. Kaviani or Dr. Chabokrow examines your feet and obtains imaging to determine which arthritis treatment may be best for you. To book an appointment at Bluebonnet Foot and Ankle Institute, schedule it online or by phone.