Aching feet and ankles can be caused by a number of problems. If left unchecked, the annoying, yet often excruciating pain can develop into something more severe, ultimately becoming so debilitating that you may be unable to walk even short distances, or even walk at all. The pain that comes with this kind of foot and ankle problem can limit your ability to walk, and can even require ankle arthritis Brisbane if severe enough.
To start with, it's important that you learn as much about the condition as possible. You can do this through a visit to a podiatrist, who can take x-rays and perform other diagnostic procedures in order to detect the initial symptoms of this foot problem. The initial symptoms of this ailment typically consist of swelling of the joints, tenderness, and some pain. In more advanced stages, the pain can become so intense that it is difficult to walk. At these stages, it is critical to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the joints and other parts of the body.
There are many ways to alleviate the pain associated with this condition, but the first thing that you will need to do is reduce the swelling of the joints. One common ankle arthritis treatment that many people choose to try is heat and ice. By taking heat and ice baths several times a day, you can relieve pain and swelling in the area. Ice, on the other hand, can temporarily relieve swelling. By reducing the swelling and using ice on a regular basis, you will be able to begin to work your way up the healing process.
Stretching and walking regularly also helps to relieve stiffness in your joints. It may seem counter-intuitive, but by walking a lot, you are actually stretching the muscles in your body. This stretches out those joints and decreases the inflammation that often occurs with this condition. As the stiffness goes away, you will find that the pain will begin to subside as well.
Another option is to apply heat and ice to the joint, again to reduce swelling and ease pain. This technique should only be used on an outpatient basis and should be limited to the area that is affected. You must also watch for side effects, such as a rash or skin sensitivity. These side effects can easily be avoided by wearing light socks or pants when going outside. Heat and ice treatments are great arthritis relief techniques that can help in the short term but may not be enough to prevent stiffness from occurring later down the road.
If these nonsurgical treatments do not alleviate pain and stiffness in your joints, you may want to consider a minimally invasive procedure. With minimally invasive surgery, the physician inserts a small titanium screw into each joint to remove the bone and joint capsule. Once the screws are removed, the surgeon then removes a small amount of bone from the affected joint. The bone will be replaced and surrounding tissue will be stitched up to ensure that it is secure. This type of nonsurgical procedure can be done in one office visit, making it ideal for many different situations.
Of course, sometimes no matter how many nonsurgical treatments you try, you are still unable to relieve your pain and symptoms. In these situations, the doctor may recommend surgery. For example, arthroscopic knee surgery is typically reserved for people who have pain and swelling that severely affects their ability to walk and stand. The physician inserts a metal needle into the joint and removes it to allow better blood flow to the area. This surgery can also relieve symptoms such as pain, swelling, and clicking.
Ankle arthritis symptoms are typically determined by the activity level of the individual. For those that play sports, the risk of suffering from osteoarthritis increases greatly. In order to decrease the symptoms, it is important to wear appropriate supports designed to aid in the healing process. Some of the supports designed for this condition include braces and even shoes with insoles to help retain the proper balance. It is important to make sure your doctor is aware of any previous issues you have had with your joints or other ailments in order to ensure a proper diagnosis is made and a treatment plan is developed to address your specific needs.
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