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What is Degenerative Arthritis?
Degenerative arthritis is a condition that slowly wears away joints (the link where bones meet and move). In the beginning, you may notice that the affected joint seems stiff, or may ache. As the joint lining (cartilage) breaks down, the bones rub against each other, causing pain and swelling. |
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Over time, bone spurs (small pieces of rough or splintered bone) develop, and the joint's range of motion becomes limited. However, movement does not have to cause pain. The effects of arthritis can be reduced. Talk with your doctor about developing a treatment plan to meet your needs. |
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Your feet pound the pavement every day. They support and propel your body as you move through life. Such constant use takes a toll. Aging, the wear and tear of daily use, and injury are common causes of arthritis. Many people eventually develop some arthritis in their feet. |
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To learn the cause of your joint problem, your doctor asks about your medical history. Your doctor also examines your feet for skin changes and swelling. The range of motion in any joint affected by arthritis may be tested as well. With a simple hands-on test, your doctor can find out how far a joint moves before pain occurs. |
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Imaging tests can be performed to check the condition of a joint. X-rays show damage to bone, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can show damage to the joint lining. |
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When arthritis affects your big toe, your foot hurts when it pushes off the ground. Arthritis often appears in the big toe joint along with a bunion (a bony bump at the side of the joint). When arthritis affects the rear or mid-foot joints, you feel pain when you put weight on your foot. Arthritis may affect the joint where the ankle and foot meet. It may also affect other joints nearby. |
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 PMJ Dorsal Exostectomy
Treating Degenerative Arthritis
If your symptoms are mild, medication may be enough to reduce pain and swelling. For more severe arthritis, surgery may be indicated to improve the condition of the joint. Your doctor may prescribe medication (pills or injections) to limit pain and swelling. Ice, aspirin or ibuprofen may help relieve mild symptoms that occur after activity. |
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Surgery
To ease movement and reduce pain, your doctor may trim damaged bone, or simply shave away bone spurs. Any excess bone growth related to a bunion may also be trimmed.If the damage is more severe, your doctor may fuse the joint to prevent the bones from rubbing. Afterward, staples or screws may hold the bones in place so they heal properly. In some cases, the joint may be removed and replaced with an implant. If surgery is performed, you will be told how to care for your incision and how soon to begin walking on the foot. Until the foot can bear weight, you may need to walk with crutches or a cane. For surgery on the big toe, your foot may be splinted to limit movement for several weeks. Despite this, you should be able to walk soon after surgery. For surgery on rear or mid-foot joints, you may need to wear a cast or surgical shoe. These joints are fairly large, so full recovery may take a few months. Once the bone has healed, any staples or screws may be removed.
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