Arthritis of the Foot & Ankle

Joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation that limits how far and how comfortably you can walk. MLS laser reduces the inflammatory cycle driving your pain, improving mobility without medication side effects.

• What causes it?

  Arthritis means the cartilage inside a joint has worn down — leaving bone grinding on bone, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. The foot and ankle have 33 joints, any of which can develop arthritis.

  Osteoarthritis (the most common type) develops from years of wear and tear, prior injuries, or joint misalignment. Post-traumatic arthritis develops after a fracture or ligament injury that damages the joint surface — it's why properly treating ankle fractures and ankle instability matters long-term. Rheumatoid arthritis and gout are inflammatory forms that affect multiple joints. The big toe joint (1st MTP), the midfoot joints, and the ankle are the most common locations.

• How do i know if i have it?

  Weight-bearing X-rays show joint space narrowing, bone spurs, and the extent of cartilage loss. Your doctor will assess range of motion (arthritis limits how far the joint moves), swelling, and gait.

  MRI shows cartilage damage in detail and identifies soft tissue involvement. Blood work is ordered if inflammatory or rheumatoid arthritis is suspected (ESR, CRP, rheumatoid factor, uric acid).

  A diagnostic injection of local anesthetic into the joint confirms that the joint is the pain source — this is particularly useful when planning surgery.

• How is it treated?

  Conservative management: anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, rocker-bottom or stiff-soled shoes to reduce joint motion, custom orthotics, and corticosteroid injections for flares.

  PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections and viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid joint injections) are offered for patients seeking to delay surgery. MLS laser therapy reduces joint pain and inflammation.

  When conservative care is exhausted, surgery is considered. For the big toe joint, joint-sparing procedures (cheilectomy — removal of bone spurs) or fusion (arthrodesis) are options depending on severity. Ankle arthritis is managed with ankle fusion or total ankle replacement — both are reliable options with strong outcomes in appropriate patients.Other arthritic joints of the foot are evaluated and surgical recommendation made on a case by case basis.