Foot and Ankle Osteoarthritis
What is foot and ankle osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder worldwide, affecting approximately 10% of the population. It can happen in any joint in the body, including the feet and ankles, but being diagnosed with osteoarthritis doesn’t mean your condition will get worse. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to improve your symptoms.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It affects the cartilage within the foot and ankle joints. This cartilage acts as a natural suspension and cushioning within the joint. Gradually over time, the cartilage can thin and the bag (capsule) which surrounds the joint can become irritable. Interestingly, we now know that these changes within the joint can occur without pain but sometimes these changes can cause symptoms.
While many people with osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle won’t have any symptoms, those who do can have a wide range of experiences.
Symptoms may include:
- Most commonly, the foot/ankle can feel painful, stiff and swollen.
- The foot/ankle may feel particularly stiff in the morning, and more painful at night (particularly if you’ve been on your feet all day).
- It may feel stiff, especially if you haven’t moved for a while.
- Some people find that pain can wake them up at night.
- You might notice that your foot/ankle makes crunching or grinding noises. (These noises are harmless and nothing to worry about as they are a common symptom of this condition.)
- The joints in the foot/ankle may look bigger than it used to.
- You may feel less steady on your feet.
- Pain can occur with activities such as walking, being on your feet for long periods, using the stairs, kneeling (with your toes pointed), and wearing certain shoes such as high heels.
What causes osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle?
The exact cause of osteoarthritis is often not known, as there can be quite a few reasons why a person develops the condition. Osteoarthritis is common and can affect people of any age, but it usually starts in people over the age of 45. Our genetics will likely play a big part in our risk of developing osteoarthritis. Previous injuries to the foot/ankle or having a condition that affects the joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, can also increase the chance of developing osteoarthritis in the foot and ankle.
The pain associated with osteoarthritis is not simply just the result of the changes in the joint, in fact, research has shown that pain is influenced by a wide range of factors, including:
- carrying excessive weight, particularly around the middle
- smoking
- being very sedentary
- life changes, including periods of stress or illness
- poor mental health such as depression or anxiety
- other physical health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- you cannot move your ankle or put any weight on your leg, particularly following a fall
- your foot and ankle is badly swollen or has changed shape
- your calf is red, hot, swollen or tender to touch
- you have a very high temperature, feel hot and shivery, and have redness or heat around your foot/ankle
Facts about Osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle
Osteoarthritis can often present on an x-ray in those who do not have symptoms. This is because pain is influenced by more than just the changes you can see on an x-ray.
For example, research has shown that a 10% reduction of body weight (if you are overweight) results in a 50% reduction in pain. Evidence also shows that not being afraid to use your foot and a positive mindset about the joint will increase your chances of making meaningful improvements in your symptoms and function.
In fact, exercise is the best thing you can do for the health of the foot and ankle joint. Moving the joint and strengthening the muscles around the painful joint improves the resilience of the joints.