ARTHRITIS PAIN
Conditions
Overview
ARTHRITIS PAIN
The term Arthritis means “joint inflammation” (swelling) and involves inflammation in or around the joint
As arthritis progresses, joint deterioration occurs and the smooth “cushioning” cartilage in joints is gradually lost, resulting in the bones wearing against each other – like rust in a car.
Arthritis often becomes painful and lifestyle threatening, and eventually may lead to limited motion, loss of joint function, and deformities in the affected joints.
ARTHRITIC JOINTS
Ankle Joint Arthritis (Subtalar and talocrural osteoarthritis)
Ankle Joint Arthritis
There are 2 main joints in the region of the foot we refer to as the ankle. The talocrural joint describes the joint where the shin (tibia) meets the foot (talus). The subtalar joint refers to the joint between the talus and the heel bone (calcaneus).
Severe degenerative disease or end stage arthritis to either of these joints will likely result in debilitating pain, limited and altered motion and reduced quality of life.
Like a Lisfranc injury, ankle joint arthritis is more commonly associated with post traumatic arthritis.
Ankle fractures, talar fractures, ankle dislocations or chronic instability secondary to multiple prior sprains can lead to significant cartilage damage of the ankle, precipitating the degenerative arthritic change.
Custom foot orthotics, custom or orthopaedic footwear and custom ankle bracing are effective at reducing pain and improving mobility. The primary goal is to limit motion of the involved joint.
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Hallux Rigidus
Hallux Rigidus
Hallux rigidus literally means “stiff big toe,” which is the main symptom of the disorder.
Hallux rigidus is a form of degenerative arthritis, which can cause pain and stiffness in the metatarsophalangeal joint (the joint where your big toe—the hallux—joins your foot). It is a progressive condition and as it gets worse, the toe joint becomes less mobile and often more painful.
Treatment includes custom foot orthotics with a stiff plate extended under the big toe to improve comfort proper footwear and surgery.
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Lisfranc fractures/dislocations
Lisfranc fractures/dislocations
An injury to the tarsometatarsal joint, a Lisfranc injury, is very painful. It can lead to the foot becoming flat, misshapen and eventually arthritic.
The injury is typically associated with high-impact trauma such as a crush injury, a fall from a height or a car accident where there is an obvious deformity of the foot after a dislocation of the tarsometatarsal joints. Although less common, the low impact injury can cause a dislocation as well, usually involving a twisting of the forefoot during a sprain.
Both types of injury usually involve the dislocation of the inner most and adjacent joints of the midfoot, the tarsometatarsal joints.
Treatment typically consists of either custom foot orthotics or a custom gauntlet AFO.
Knee Arthritis
Knee Arthritis
Within the knee joint, between the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin) is a smooth, cushioning pad called the meniscus (cartilage). The meniscus allows the femur to glide over the tibia and the patella to glide on the femur.
Overuse, age and trauma can cause the cartilage in your knee to wear thin (osteoarthritis). Osteoarthritis can affect any or all of the medial (inner) compartment, lateral (outer) compartment or patellofemoral joint (under the kneecap).
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How does it work?
Assessments are typically 30 to 60 minutes depending on your ailment and your needs. Bring your footwear that you work in, and what you where after work, bring shorts for the assessment. And please bring the prescription or referral from your referring medical professional and diagnostic reports if you have any or all of these.
Step 1
BOOK AN ASSESSMENT
- Call us or book an assessment on line
- Assessments for arthritis typically take 30 to 45 minutes
- If you have shorts, bring them(we also have shorts at the clinic)
- Bring 2 or 3 pairs of the shoes you wear most often, for work and play
- Bring your prescription if you have one, your x-ray CD and/or reports from an x-ray or MRI
step 2
DURING YOUR ASSESSMENT
- Review of your condition and history of injury and discuss your x-ray or MRI results
- Examine your muscle strength, structural alignment, joint ranges of motion and how you walk (gait assessment)
- Answer any questions you may have relating to your arthritic condition
- Discuss the various orthotic or bracing options, and if appropriate, cast your feet for a pair of orthotics or measure you for a custom ankle or knee brace
- Recommend or fit footwear
- Provide strengthening exercises, stretches or referral to complementary health professionals
step 3
ENJOY A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE
- You will receive your orthotics in about 2 weeks
- A custom gauntlet brace takes about 4 weeks to make
- A custom knee brace arrives in about 2 weeks
- Within a few weeks, your feet, ankle or knee should be feeling less pain
and you will have greater mobility - If necessary, we’ll have you come back for a follow up
- Follow ups are for further modifications, and/or to review exercises and stretches, and footwear recommendations
- At any point in the future, we encourage you to return for any necessary adjustments and service the orthotics or custom brace if necessary
Frequently Asked Questions
Custom foot orthoses cost $549 for adults and $450 for children.
Additional pairs ordered within a year(without another consult appointment) are $350 as we are able to use the same 3D mold
There is no HST on foot orthoses as they are prescribed medical devices
You should always consult your physician to discuss treatments.
Many people benefit from orthotics to relieve foot, ankle or knee pain from arthritis. Orthotics support your arches, improve alignment, helping to relieve pain and make it easier to move with comfort and confidence
Custom ankle bracing can aid in the relief of pain and instability associated with arthritis. If your ankle is painful with activity or you easily roll your ankle on uneven ground(chronic instability), a custom ankle brace may help you. Typically, you will be prescribed a custom ankle brace by your attending orthopaedic surgeon who will have greatest insight into the benefits of a custom ankle brace.
You should always consult your physician to discuss treatments. Often the x-ray report is a good indication of the severity of the degenerative changes to your knee and location, which helps in prescribing the appropriate brace. Many people benefit from a knee brace to relieve arthritic pain as the brace uses leverage to reduce pressure on the arthritic area, providing stability, relieving pain and improving comfort, mobility and confidence.