Arthritis of the feet: symptoms and treatment

Arthritis of the foot is one of the most common pathologies, localized in the articular apparatus of the distal lower extremities.

The unpleasant consequences of a destructive joint disease include chronic pain and loss of function. Degenerative damage to joint tissues occurs after frequently carrying heavy loads on the feet, and is a complication of trauma and comorbidities. Arthritis is accompanied by pain and deformity of the foot.

Treatment includes correction with orthopedic insoles and relief of symptoms with medication.

What is it?

In a word, arthropathy is a serious condition of damage to the arch joints of the foot, involving the gradual degeneration and complete destruction of the cartilage tissue in it. In addition to the severe pain syndrome that accompanies the pathology, it eventually leads to an inability to fully function the foot, loss of impaired ability and other functions and, as a result, disability of the patient.

Cause it happened

The cause of dry feet is mainly due to poor blood circulation, reduced supporting tissue due to injury or age changes. For effective treatment, you need to know the cause of the foot joint disease.

The main root causes are described below:

1. Too much weight, putting more pressure on the joints of the legs.
2. Deterioration of bone and cartilage tissue over the years.
3. Genetic predisposition.
4. Wear tight or oversized shoes.
5. Distinctive features of the foot: large width, curved toe, flat foot. Also, different leg lengths can be the cause.
6. Excessive mechanical workload of the limbs, characteristic of people who enjoy physical labor or certain sports.
7. Foot injury, muscle sprain.
8. Continuous cold action.
9. Wear high heels.

In addition, the following causes of arthropathy of the feet are distinguished:

• allergies and autoimmune diseases;
• displacement or congenital abnormality of the hip bone;
• endocrine and endocrine disorders in the body;
• lack of useful and important elements;
• Chronic infectious lesions of the extremities.

It is not possible to completely cure such a disease, but it is quite possible to significantly improve the vital qualities of the patient by preventing further degenerative trends. In this regard, arthropathy of the feet should be treated after identifying the main signs of the disease.

What is the danger of foot joint damage?

Without timely and competent treatment, the degenerative condition of the joints of the feet progresses quite rapidly, leading to the destruction of cartilage tissue and inflammatory processes in the muscles.

This is not only accompanied by severe pain, but also deformity of the foot, due to the growth of bone tissue in the joint. The result is a loss of mobility to the point of being completely unable to move the foot. This leads to disability, inability to move independently, as well as psychological discomfort due to inferiority complex.

Symptoms of foot joint disease

Arthritis of the feet is accompanied by symptoms of varying severity, the severity of which depends on the stage and severity of the injury. As a rule, the disease begins gradually, and for a long time it may not manifest itself outwardly.

In addition to leg fatigue after a long walk, there are also minor signs of deformity: the formation of small bony protrusions in the big toe joint of the big toe, changes in the shape of the fingers. A person may perceive these signs as an unpleasant cosmetic defect and be unaware of the presence of a devastating disease.

The main symptoms of foot joint disease:

1. After waking up with stiffness, loss of mobility, after a short warm-up, the feet are flexible again;
2. In the later stages of the pathology, the range of motion is sharply reduced, the patient tries to voluntarily lift the painful leg, as a result of which the gait is disturbed and a limp appears;
3. Pain due to prolonged exertion, after the joint is completely destroyed, pain syndrome continuously appears;
4. The aches and pains may appear when the weather changes or the legs have hypothermia;
5. The affected area periodically swells, accompanied by arthritis, congestion appears, the skin becomes hot to the touch;
6. During the movement of the feet, there is a crunching sound, which is a consequence of the lack of joint fluid and the appearance of bone deformities in the joints;
7. Gradually, the degenerative process spreads to the tissues around the muscle, forming dense cysts in the muscle;
8. Calluses appear on the soles of the feet;
9. A person intuitively assumes that the leg hurts, which leads to muscle atrophy and decreased blood circulation;
10. Degenerative foot is accompanied by rapid foot fatigue after a long time standing in one place or walking for a short time.

The lack of therapeutic measures contributes to the progression of pathological processes. Continuous changes in the structure of cartilage and the structure of joints lead to the appearance of a characteristic clinical picture.

Diagnose

X-ray technique is of decisive importance in the problem of diagnosis. In medicine, the X-ray staging of foot joint disease is used, proposed in 1961 by a doctor of medical science, professor, and a leading expert in the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. It includes three phases:

• Initially, where the histogram image recorded a slight narrowing of the inter-articular spaces, it was only noticeable when compared with a healthy joint and a weakly expressed lesion of articular cartilage;
• The stage of pronounced changes - the gap between the joints is narrowed is clearly visible, as it becomes two or more times less than the normal level. The destruction of cartilage tissue is pronounced in the places of greatest load on the joint;
• Stage of marked changes - X-ray shows complete destruction of the cartilage covering the bone. The gap between the joints is practically absent, the bone tissues of the joints come into contact with each other, they completely coincide, their surfaces are deformed, the growth of the bones is clearly shown. This stage is known as osteoarthritis of the foot, in which the motor functions of the foot joints are drastically reduced.

This technique is still used when a person does a physical and social examination to form a disability group. According to Kellgren Lawrence, another radiographic classification of arthropathy was proposed in 1957.

In addition to X-ray, methods of diagnosing foot joint disease by modern tools are also used. Ultrasound examination and computed tomography of the foot joints provide additional information about the condition of the bone, cartilage, and periarticular tissue in the affected area.

Treatment of foot arthritis

It should be said immediately that therapy should be carried out only in consultation with a doctor. Improper home treatment of osteoarthritis of the feet, performed carelessly by some patients, only aggravates the course of the disease and slows down the recovery process.

In the treatment of plantar fasciitis, a number of complex procedures are used, including both conservative and surgical techniques. Conservative methods include:

1. Drug therapy - analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, local and injection, chondroprotectors injected into the joints;
2. Physiotherapy - ultraviolet irradiation, treatment with high-frequency current, shock waves, therapeutic exercises and massage, mud application, mineral bath;
3. Spa treatment.

One particular issue is the treatment of arthrosis of the small joints of the feet. Deformity and curvature of the fingers with ankylosing spondylitis develop rapidly, impeding walking and contributing to painful calluses and calves. Experts recommend changing shoes for more comfort to avoid such curls, as well as contacting an orthopedist, who will help you choose orthopedic insoles and special splints to keep your toes in the correct position. .

At stage 3 of foot joint deformity, it is too late to take medicine and apply physical therapy, because at this stage, drug treatment for osteoarthritis of the foot is no longer able to give long-term positive results. long. First, the meniscus is completely destroyed, then the bone tissue of the joint. In addition, one of the consequences of foot joint disease is spinal pathologies (curvature, herniated disc) due to persistently disturbed posture and gait.

To restore the normal motor functions of the joints, surgical methods of treatment are used. This can include surgery to remove remnants of cartilage, close an artificial joint to immobilize it to prevent further bone destruction, and replace part of joint tissue with artificial joint tissue. A radical treatment involves the complete replacement of the joint with an organ. But all these manipulations are performed only with one large joint - the ankle.

Lifestyle change

The patient needs to reconsider some of his habits in daily life, these habits contribute to the cause and progression of the disease of the feet. Without this, the drug treatment will not have the desired effect. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs will only eliminate the symptoms of the disease, and the disease process will progress on its own.

The first important point in making lifestyle changes is to reduce the stress on the diseased joint. First of all, the load on the joint must be reduced to stop the progression of the disease and stabilize the process. This can be achieved by changing certain habits and lifestyles.

The most important rules for reducing the load on the legs are as follows:

• avoid long walks;
• alternating walking with rest for 5 minutes;
• Do not stand still for long periods of time (static load on the affected joint is much less tolerated than dynamic);
• It is not recommended to regularly sink and tilt the stairs; if possible, you should use the elevator more often;
• do not carry weight;
• use a stick.

Another important point is weight loss. As noted above, in obese patients, arthropathy progresses much faster because the joints are subjected to greater stress while walking. For treatment, it is important to determine the so-called body mass index (BMI) and try to normalize it.

Treatment of foot joint disease with drugs

Home remedies for arthritis of the feet are reduced to the use of certain medications. They somewhat eliminate the symptoms of the disease, helping to improve nutrition for the joints. The problem is that cartilage and bone deformities are difficult to correct. Usually, for complete correction, surgical intervention is still required. However, the treatment strategy depends on the stage. In the face of pronounced changes in the joints, the main method is precise treatment with drugs.

Prescribing drugs can provoke the development of gastric diseases, manifested by erosion and ulceration of the stomach and duodenum. Risk factors for the development of complications are old age, the presence of peptic ulcer disease and chronic gastritis in the past, concomitant use of 2-3 drugs from this group at the same time.

To prevent exacerbations, the following are prescribed in parallel:

• Proton pump inhibitors.
• H2-histamine receptor blocker.

To improve the function of joints, chondroprotectors are used. These are drugs that help improve the metabolism of joint cartilage, slow down the metabolism and prevent the destruction of joint cartilage. The main ingredients of such drugs are glycosaminoglycans and sodium chondroitin sulfate. All chondroprotectors are used for long courses - from 1 month to six months. After a break of 2-3 months, treatment should be resumed.

In addition to tablets, capsules and injections, which have systemic (over the whole body) effects, topical therapy is also used. It depends on the use of ointments and creams. Also, some medications are injected directly into or near the ankle. This treatment usually gives faster and more stable results.

For topical therapy, the following methods can be used:

• intra-articular and periarticular glucocorticoid use;
• intra-articular administration of hyaluronic acid preparations;
• apply topical ointments (gels, creams) to the affected joint area, based on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Physical therapy

In the treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis, the following physiotherapeutic procedures are used:

1. Pulsed magnetic field therapy - chokes are placed on both sides over the affected joint and slowly moved over 5 to 10 minutes. The course includes 10 procedures.
2. Application of heat transfer fluids - in such procedures, the temperature of the tissues exposed to the activity increases. Cartilage metabolism is activated, its regeneration is stimulated. Applications of peat with temperatures up to 40 degrees, paraffin and ozokerite with temperatures up to 55 degrees are used. Such procedures are carried out for 10-15 minutes, each course of 20 minutes.
3. Electrophoresis - lidocaine, analgin, sodium salicylate. Exposure time is 20 minutes per day. The course includes 15 procedures.
4. Ultrasound - hydrocortisone, analgin. Take 5 minutes for each affected joint. The course of treatment includes 10 procedures.
5. Infrared radiation - lasts 5-8 minutes into the painful joint daily for 10 days.

Exercise

In the acute stage of arthropathy of the lower extremities, the leg is manifested at rest. However, as soon as the pain subsides, exercise therapy should be started.

Exercises that can be done for arthropathy at home:

• alternately pull the socks away from you and toward you;
• make circular motions with your thumb;
• squeeze the toes as tightly as possible and also do not squeeze;
• Try to pick up small objects from the floor with your toes.

If the patient has arthritis of the small joints of the foot, treatment with movements (kinesitherapy) is considered basic. At first it is better to study with an instructor - he will show what and how everything should be done

Wearing special shoes

With the complex treatment of arthropathy, doctors often prescribe special shoes. Orthopedic boots, shoes, and even slippers for home use can be easily found at home.

Specially designed soles and footbeds help support the foot in the desired position and add shock absorption while walking, while additional splints and pads stabilize the ankle, preventing distortion. Additional form of articular cartilage and the development of toe arthropathy.

Folk remedies

The following folk remedies are the most effective for the treatment and prevention of joint diseases:

• Compress potatoes. They are mainly used to reduce swelling and pain in the affected joint area. Wash potatoes thoroughly, cut into small pieces, do not peel. Then it is thrown into warm water (40-50 degrees) and soaked for a few minutes. The resulting mass is wrapped in cloth and applied to the affected joint twice a day.
• Angelica root bath medicine. Angelica root crushed, wrapped in cloth (gauze several times). For 5 liters of water, 250 - 300 g of roots are needed. Put the fabric in a bowl of hot water and wait until the water cools down to 30-40 degrees. Then do a foot bath for 10 to 15 minutes. In this case, the bag is not removed.
• Fir oil. Fir oil is thoroughly massaged into the affected joint area twice a day. For best results, apply a warm compress before applying the ointment.
• Garlic juice. A few young garlic cloves are ground until mushy and vegetable oil is added. The resulting mixture is applied a thin layer to the painful joint before bedtime and bandaged.
• Coniferous oil. This tool helps to improve metabolism in cartilage tissue, delaying deformation of joints. To prepare balsam, 50 g of young conifers are poured into 2 liters of boiling water. The mixture is boiled for 15 to 20 minutes over low heat. In this case, you can add a teaspoon of garlic juice, crushed rose hip, and finely chopped licorice root. The broth is brewed in a thermos for 18-20 hours. Then it is filtered through cheesecloth, allowed to cool in the refrigerator and drink 0. 5 - 1 liter per day for a week.
• Ointment from hops and wort St. John. To prepare the ointment, thoroughly grind 10 g of the washed herb St. John's wort and hops. For a thick paste, add 50 g of vaseline oil and stir until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Ointment is applied to the joint area twice a day.

The above means are recommended for people who are at risk of developing foot joint disease. First of all, these are patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. As a precaution, these recipes can also be used for the elderly, athletes, patients after a fracture or sprain of the ankle joint.

Surgery

Arthritis of the feet refers to chronic pathologies that progress gradually and aggravate degenerative processes. In stage 3 of the disease, the disorders are so pronounced that the cartilage tissue is completely destroyed and cannot be restored with drugs. To eliminate the disfigurement, severe pain, restore the ability to walk, people only use surgical methods. The rest of the treatments were ineffective.

Modern types of surgical interventions:

1. Arthroscopy. An arthroscope is inserted into the endoarticular cavity - this is a special device that allows you to examine the joint from the inside. The doctor removes all foreign elements from the synovial fluid: particles of broken cartilage, bone, or blood clots. Manipulation reduces the severity of the pain, but only provides temporary relief. The pain returns within 6-12 months. It is used mainly in young people;
2. Joint foot. During surgery, the remaining cartilage is removed, and the joint is fixed in place. Gradually, the bones are fused in a certain position, so ankylosing spondylitis occurs. The joint is completely removed, which leads to immobilization of the foot, but the elimination of pain, inflammation and the ability to walk, although the quality of movement remains low. This technique is rarely used;
3. Endogenous drugs. It is used exclusively at the 3rd stage of the disease, when there is practically no cartilage left. The method includes the implantation of the implant. Its service life reaches 10-15 years, depending on the type of material used. Endoscopy allows you to fully restore your quality of life.

Is it possible to completely cure foot arthritis?

It is believed that it is not possible to completely cure foot arthritis. The damaged cartilage no longer grows. All therapies are aimed at maintaining the existing condition of the joint and preserving the joint in the form that the patient has seen the doctor.

The doctor can only stop the process but not restore the tissue. If the recommendations are followed, the patient will not feel limited movement, and only negative external factors or ignoring the doctor's advice can cause the patient to experience discomfort in the legs.

Prevention and complications

To exclude the appearance of an unpleasant disease, you must follow simple rules. One of them is a healthy lifestyle. To prevent joint disease, it is necessary to:

• reduce salt intake;
• reasonable nutrition organization;
• limit excessive physical activity;
• get rid of excess weight;
• strengthen immunity to eliminate inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Methods to prevent the development of joint disease include:

• avoid injury to the lower extremities;
• exclude hypothermia of the legs;
• self-massage of the sole;
• use comfortable shoes with flexible soles, orthopedic insoles;
• remove high heels;
• performing gymnastics to nourish the foot joints;
• walking barefoot on grass, sand;
• timely treatment of infectious diseases.

The disease can be complicated into diseases such as arthritis, bursitis of the feet, bursitis around the joints. Joints of the feet lead to deformity of the toes, which in a neglected state becomes the reason for immobilization of the foot and disability of the patient.

Forecast

With timely diagnosis of the foot joint and appropriate treatment selection in the early stages, the prognosis is good. Despite the fact that cartilage destruction is irreversible, it is possible to prevent further progression of the pathology with joint destruction. The late stage of the foot joint has an unfavorable prognosis, the functions of the foot are lost, and disability can only be avoided by replacing the destroyed joint with an artificial joint.