Arthritis of the Heel
Another cause of heel pain is arthritis. Causes of arthritis in the heel can be traumatic, such as injury that led to a fracture or bad sprain, hereditary, infections and gastro-intestinal disorders like colitis or ileitis.
The two most common arthritic conditions in the foot are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition common in older people. Osteoarthritis usually affects one or several joints and caused by obesity, age and certain types of trauma. Excessive pressure in the joints due to poor biomechanics or just the way the bones are formed at birth can lead to spur formation and cartilage destruction.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function in the joints. It occurs when your immune system, the system that protects your body from outside harm, mistakenly starts attacking healthy tissue.
This causes inflammation that leads to swelling in the joints, making them progressively less and less mobile. If not managed properly, over time, RA can cause joint damage—and can even result in permanent joint destruction. And keep you from doing the things you love.
OTHER ARTHRITIDIES
1) Reiter’s Syndrome:
An inflammatory reaction to an infection that usually starts in the genitourinary tract. Reiter’s affects the eyes, joints, urinary or intestinal areas. It is usually found in males between the ages of 20-40 years of age.
2) Ankylosing Spondylitis:
Is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, pain and stiffness and mainly affects the joints of the spine. It again affects males between the ages of 20-40 years of age.
TREATMENT
The key is to eliminate joint pressure. This is done with comfortable shoes and soft orthotics. Physical therapy and low impact exercise will help strengthen the joints and the surrounding muscles.
In addition, anti-inflammatory medications both orally and topically can be helpful. Over-the-counter Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements are also useful. Our pedorthist at Famly Foot & Ankle Specialists can help you get fitted for the right comfortable as well as fashionable shoe. Our K-Laser is also an excellent treatment modality that is painless and non-invasive.
