About 54 million adult Americans live with a confirmed case of arthritis, with osteoarthritis accounting for more than half of those cases. If you have arthritis or are experiencing pain and stiffness in your feet and ankles, schedule an exam at Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists right away. Call any of their offices in Bradenton, University Park, or Ellenton, Florida, or request your visit online today.
Arthritis is a broad term that includes over 100 different conditions that cause inflammation in your joints. You can develop arthritis due to:
It’s also possible to develop jagged uric acid crystals in your joints — especially in your big toe. This happens because decreased kidney function, a poor diet, or obesity drives up your uric acid levels. The resulting condition is called gouty arthritis or, more simply, gout.
Arthritis is progressive, and the longer you go without proper treatment, the worse your symptoms are likely to become. The expert podiatrists at Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists encourage you to come in for a comprehensive arthritis evaluation if you’re experiencing any of the following issues:
It’s especially important to schedule an exam right away if these symptoms start to affect your job, daily activities, or exercise routine.
There’s no cure for arthritis, but the condition can be managed. The podiatry team at Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists can provide treatments to slow the progression of your arthritis. It’s essential that you come into the clinic as soon as your symptoms begin.
Depending on your specific diagnosis, your arthritis treatment plan may include:
Some people with arthritis will require surgery to relieve pain and restore function. The doctors at Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists have a surgery center at their Bradenton office to make this process more accessible and minimally disruptive to your life.
Surgeries that treat arthritic feet or ankles include fusion therapy, which involves fusing bones together using rods, screws, pins, or plates. Severe cases of arthritis often also require a complete joint replacement in which the damaged parts of the joint are removed and replaced with metal or plastic components.
Before living another day with arthritis pain, see how the team at Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists can help. Call the office nearest you today to schedule an appointment or request one online.
