Arthrosis of the foot is a disease of the joint, which is expressed in the destruction of cartilage tissue. Most often, excessive stress on the foot and toes, as well as natural age-related changes in the body, leads to cartilage damage.
Osteoarthritis usually affects people who are overweight and those who do not adhere to a healthy diet. Wearing tight shoes, hypothermia or physical inactivity can cause arthrosis of the foot. However, arthrosis of the foot is most susceptible to people with a genetic predisposition to this disease.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the foot
Most often, arthrosis affects the big toes and the inner ribs of the feet. The main reason for the appearance of all the symptoms of arthrosis is a deterioration in blood circulation in the cartilage tissues of the joint. As a result, cartilage fibers lose their elasticity; the cartilage becomes covered with microcracks and begins to deteriorate.
Gradually, the malfunctioning of the bones leads to pinching of the nerves, and then the patient can feel pain in the foot – the first symptom of arthrosis. Pain interferes with normal walking, stiffness and limp. The patient notices a crunch in the joint while walking and rapid fatigue of the legs. At rest, the pain usually diminishes.
Osteoarthritis can also manifest as swelling and mild redness of the joint. A slight increase in temperature at the site of edema indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the soft tissues. Over time, arthrosis leads to visible thickening of the joints.
Arthrosis of the foot 1, 2, 3 degrees
Depending on the severity of the disease, there are three degrees of arthrosis of the foot:
- The first degree of arthrosis is the easiest. It is characterized by recurrent joint pain and fatigue, especially with prolonged walking.
- Arthrosis of the second degree is accompanied by more noticeable pain in the foot. At this stage, so-called “bones” appear, which slightly limit the mobility of the feet and can lead to discomfort while wearing shoes.
- The third degree of arthrosis is manifested in severe deformation of the joint. The patient is in constant pain and practically cannot walk.
Diagnosis and treatment of arthrosis
The main way to diagnose arthrosis of the foot is X-ray. It allows you to identify the deformity of the joint in the picture and determine the nature of the course of the disease. For diagnostics, an ultrasound scan is also carried out, thanks to which it is possible to establish the presence of damage to the cartilage tissue.
Treatment of arthrosis of the foot is a complex process, which is largely complicated by the natural causes of the onset of the disease. In the clinic of Dr. Grigorenko, the following methods of treating arthrosis are used:
- Osteopathy;
- Physiotherapy;
- Magneto and laser therapy;
- Mechanotherapy.
Our qualified specialists carry out a detailed diagnosis of arthrosis of the foot and prescribe the most effective method of treatment. By contacting us, you can be sure that your health is in good hands.