Osteoarthritis & Degenerative Arthritis Care in Seaford & Millsboro, DE

Understanding Foot and Ankle Arthritis

Foot and ankle arthritis is a chronic, debilitating condition that affects any of the 30+ joints in your feet and ankles. It can be caused by age, wear and tear, or complications from an injury or disease. The three most common types of arthritis that affect the foot and ankle are:

• Osteoarthritis – This occurs when the cartilage in your foot and/or ankle breaks down over time due to repetitive use or wear and tear.
• Rheumatoid arthritis – This is an autoimmune disease that can cause the immune system to attack and damage the joints.
• Post-traumatic arthritis – This can develop after a foot or ankle injury.

Recognizing Arthritis in Foot Symptoms

Foot and ankle arthritis can cause inflammation, pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of range of motion. It may begin with mild, temporary symptoms like foot or joint pain upon waking. However, over time your symptoms will progress or worsen. If you notice any of these arthritis in foot or arthritis in ankles symptoms, call us to schedule an appointment:

• Deep, aching pain after periods of activity or inactivity, such as when you get out of bed in the morning
• Joint tightness or stiffness that limits your range of motion and mobility
• Visible swelling or inflammation around the foot, ankle, or toes
• Tenderness, redness or warmth of the skin of the ankle or foot
• Trouble moving, rotating, flexing, or extending the foot or ankle
• Feelings of instability while standing or walking
• Grinding or popping sound when you move the foot or ankle

Exploring Personalized Treatment for Foot Arthritis and Ankle Arthritis

Our board-certified podiatrists specialize in designing holistic, personalized arthritis treatment plans for better mobility, health, and quality of life. Our goals are to determine the root cause of your symptoms, relieve pain and stiffness, and help you make changes to your life that reduce the risk of worsening symptoms or complications. We offer both surgical and non-surgical arthritis treatment, including:

• Lifestyle modifications
• Targeted physical therapy
• Custom orthotics and braces
• Corticosteroid injections
• Arthroscopy
• Joint-preserving procedures
• Ankle fusion surgery
• Arthrodiastasis (joint distraction)
• Total ankle replacement

Why Choose Southern Delaware Foot & Ankle

Southern Delaware Foot & Ankle offers comprehensive medical, surgical, and minimally invasive treatment for adult and pediatric foot conditions and injuries. We go beyond traditional podiatric services, offering personalized patient education and preventive care that improves overall health and quality of life. Our board-certified podiatrists specialize in sports injury treatment, diabetic foot conditions, traumatic injuries, breaks and fractures, and routine and complex foot and ankle conditions. We offer urgent treatment of emergency issues at our convenient, accessible clinics. Our patient-centered approach and compassion make us the best choice to preserve your foot health and mobility.

Call Now to Schedule Foot and Ankle Arthritis Treatment

If you are experiencing recurring or worsening pain, stiffness, and loss of range of motion in your foot or ankle, we can help. Our experienced team can help you explore minimally invasive and conservative foot and ankle arthritis treatment options. If those are unsuccessful, we can help you decide if you would benefit from surgical intervention. Call us now or contact us online to make an appointment for treatment for foot arthritis in Millsboro or Seaford, DE.

Answers to FAQs About Foot and Ankle Arthritis 

What is ankle arthritis?

Ankle arthritis is a degenerative, inflammatory condition that occurs when the cartilage in the ankle joint degrades or breaks down. This causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility.

How common is arthritis?

Arthritis affects around one in four adults in the United States, or about 58 million people. It is most common in people over the age of 75.

What are arthritis symptoms and signs?

The most common symptoms are recurring or worsening joint pain, stiffness, swelling, inflammation, warmth, redness, and reduced range of motion.

What is the main cause of arthritis?

The main cause of osteoarthritis, which is the most common type of arthritis that affects adults, is age-related wear and tear of joint cartilage over time. Another common cause of arthritis is trauma or injury, which can cause inflammation, swelling, cartilage damage, and loss of range of motion.

Do I need surgery to treat foot or ankle arthritis?

You may need surgery if non-surgical treatment has failed and your symptoms are significantly decreasing your quality of life and mobility. We may also recommend surgery for severe or advanced joint damage.