Arthritis of the joints of the foot is a fairly common disease, characterized by an inflammatory process of the joints. This disease gives a lot of inconvenience and suffering to the patient and is accompanied by rapid fatigue of the legs.
Causes of arthritis of the joints of the foot
The causes of this disease are quite diverse and depend on the characteristics of the human body. These include:
- joint aging process;
- the presence of infectious diseases;
- genetic factor;
- hypothermia;
- violation of the protective function of the immune system;
- processes associated with impaired metabolism in the joints;
- joint infection
- autoimmune diseases;
- foot injuries;
- joint diseases (gout, psoriasis, etc.).
Types of disease
In any situation, regardless of the cause of arthritis of the joints, you must consult a doctor, since the consequences of this disease can be very serious. There are several types of foot arthritis:
- rheumatoid - a chronic disease in which the connective tissue of the middle and small joints is damaged;
- gouty - a disease provoked by a metabolic disorder in the joints and the deposition of uric acid salt in them;
- reactive arthritis of the joints - a disease accompanied by an inflammatory process that was caused by an infectious disease of the genitourinary or gastrointestinal system;
- psoriatic is a dangerous disease characterized by the appearance of red peeling spots on the skin and leading to damage to a group of joints.
Symptoms of the disease
The signs of foot arthritis are very similar to those of similar joint diseases. These include:
- violation of joint mobility - its complete or partial absence;
- the presence of pain, which, when making movements, intensifies;
- swelling of the joint;
- pressure pain;
- redness of the skin around the joint;
- slight rise in temperature, etc.
Disease treatment
Arthritis of the joints of the foot is treated with basic and auxiliary methods. The basic tools include:
- anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs;
- if the cause of the disease is infectious, then antibiotics are prescribed;
- chondroprotectors - contribute to the restoration of cartilage and prevent its further destruction.
Aids for the treatment of arthritis of the joints of the foot include:
- massage;
- physiotherapy exercises and gymnastics, which contribute to the influx
blood to a sore joint; - a special diet containing a considerable amount of vitamin E;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (warming up, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, etc.);
- wearing orthopedic shoes and the use of special inserts and insoles;
- arthritis of the joints of the foot can be treated with alternative methods, but only after consultation with the attending physician and his approval of this treatment method;
- in the most severe and advanced cases, arthritis of the joints of the foot is treated with surgical intervention.