Each of your feet is comprised of over 30 joints that can be affected by injury and disease, so if you have a debilitating arthritic condition, the feet and ankles are often one of the first locations of severe pain and discomfort.

3 types of arthritis that cause problems with your feet and ankles include the following:

• Osteoarthritis—This “wear and tear” arthritis is the most common type and tends to exhibit when you reach fifty and over from all the stress and strain of living for all those years.

• Rheumatoid arthritis—This is one of the most serious forms of arthritis. It is actually an autoimmune disease which means that your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the linings of the joints. This can cause painful swelling which frequently leads to deformity and disability.

• Post-traumatic stress arthritis—This type of arthritis has many similarities to the symptoms of osteoarthritis, but it develops in joints that have been previously damaged. For example, an ankle that has been fractured is more likely to experience stress arthritis. Even injuries that occurred many years ago can predispose the joints to develop arthritis.

Debilitating and disfiguring symptoms of arthritis gradually increase over time and are characterized by severe swelling, pain, redness, and, of course, stiffness in the joints. While these symptoms typically are worse in the morning after resting, they can also flare up after sitting or standing in one place for too long.

If you suspect that arthritis is affecting your feet and ankles, seeing your podiatrist is the best way to receive the proper diagnosis and treatment. Call Syracuse Podiatry to see podiatrists Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico and Dr. Payel Ghosh in East Syracuse, New York. Our foot doctors will help you diagnose and treat your arthritis, as well as other podiatric conditions you may be experiencing. Call 315-446-3668 or make an appointment online today.