Arthritis

Foot & Ankle Center of Illinois

Podiatrists located in Springfield, Decatur, Carlinville and Shelbyville Illinois.

For over 40 million people in the United States, the side effects of arthritis make it difficult to stay physically active. Our advanced surgeons provide both conservative and minimally invasive surgical treatments as well as pain management to improve your joint health and restore mobility. We offer Ankle Replacement, ankle fusion, and surgical management of arthritic conditions that are highly effective in relieving pain long-term. 

Arthritis Q & A

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a chronic disease that causes inflammation in the lining and cartilage of your joints. As the result of arthritis, you can develop chronic pain that interferes with your quality of life and causes you to lose range of motion and mobility in the affected joint.

While there are more than 100 known types of arthritis, the most common conditions that affect the health of your feet and ankles includes:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes deterioration of the structures of a joint. This type of arthritis often develops due to age-related joint changes or can be triggered by direct trauma to a specific joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that results due to dysfunction in the immune system. This type of arthritis causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the healthy lining of the joint, causing chronic inflammation and limited range of motion in the affected joint.

When not properly treated, arthritis can lead to permanent joint damage and deformities that can disable you.

When should I seek treatment for arthritis?

If you have symptoms of arthritis, you should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Foot & Ankle Center of Illinois as soon as possible. The team recommends scheduling a visit if you have symptoms of arthritis that affect the health of your foot or ankle joints, such as:

  • Joint swelling
  • Persistent joint pain
  • Limited range of motion in the joint

You should also seek medical help if you experience new skin changes, such as unexplained growths or rashes that develop on or around the joint.

How is arthritis diagnosed?

The medical team at Foot & Ankle Center of Illinois offers on-site diagnostic services to confirm or rule out arthritis. During your evaluation, your provider assesses your affected joint to determine the severity of your pain and any limitations in your range of motion.

To ensure your symptoms relate to arthritis and not another health issue, your Foot & Ankle Center of Illinois provider may order X-rays or blood work. In some cases, you may need an in-office procedure to remove some of the fluid in your joint for further testing.

How is arthritis treated?

When your arthritis is in the early stages and you have mild to moderate stiffness or pain, your Foot & Ankle Center of Illinois physician may recommend home care and over-the-counter medications to keep you comfortable and physically active. In moderate to severe arthritis, your provider may suggest wearing special shoes that alleviate unnecessary stress on your feet and ankles when walking or standing.

Arthrodiastasis is also an option for stabilizing the joint. This treatment involves the use of an external fixator device that prevents movement and corrects the alignment of the joint.

If you are disabled due to arthritis of the feet or ankles, the Foot & Ankle Center of Illinois medical team offers outpatient arthritis surgeries to repair damaged joints. Options for surgery include:

Cheilectomy

A cheilectomy involves removing bone spurs that develop on the joint, which cause persistent pain and may interfere with mobility.

Arthroplasty

In an arthroplasty procedure, the entire joint is replaced with an artificial implant made of medical-grade silicone, metal, or plastic.

Arthrodesis

Arthrodesis is a procedure that focuses on removing damaged parts of the big toe joint and fusing together the remaining parts to minimize joint movement.

If you're interested in receiving treatment for your arthritis,
Call Foot and Ankle Center of Illinois at (217) 787-2700 today!
We serve the following locations: Springfield, Decatur, Carlinville and Shelbyville, IL


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