Arthritis in the Foot and Ankle: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

Stiffness, pain, and difficulty walking—especially as you age—may be early signs of arthritis in the feet and ankles. Without proper care, this discomfort may worsen over time, limiting your ability to walk short distances or perform everyday activities. The good news is that early treatment can slow the progression of arthritis and help you maintain a productive, active lifestyle.

What Exactly Is Arthritis?

Arthritis refers to a group of conditions that damage the normal structure and function of joints. While it commonly affects the knees, hips, spine, shoulders, and hands, the feet and ankles are also frequent sites—especially in older adults.

Nearly half of individuals in their 60s and 70s have some degree of foot or ankle arthritis, often without noticeable symptoms at first.

Types and Causes of Foot & Ankle Arthritis

1. Osteoarthritis (Wear-and-Tear Arthritis)

The most common type, osteoarthritis, occurs when the cartilage that cushions bones in a joint gradually wears away. As this protective layer becomes damaged, joints become inflamed, swollen, and painful.

2. Post-Traumatic Arthritis

Any significant injury—such as:

  • Bone fractures
  • Ligament tears
  • Moderate to severe ankle sprains

…can increase your risk of developing arthritis in the same joint later on. Even if the injury healed well at the time, the joint may deteriorate years after the trauma.

3. Inflammatory Arthritic Conditions

Some forms of arthritis occur because the body’s immune system attacks the joint lining (synovium), causing chronic inflammation.

These include:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Gout
  • Lupus
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Psoriatic arthritis

Long-standing rheumatoid arthritis (10+ years) almost always affects the feet or ankles.

How Arthritis Affects Walking and Mobility

When the joint becomes inflamed or the cartilage wears off:

  • Pain increases
  • Joint motion becomes restricted
  • Walking becomes difficult
  • Deformity may develop in severe cases

Over time, untreated arthritis can change the shape and stability of the foot and ankle.

Diagnosis: How Do Doctors Confirm Arthritis?

If arthritis is suspected, your doctor will perform:

✔ Medical history and physical examination

✔ X-rays

Useful for checking joint space narrowing, deformity, or bone changes.

✔ Laboratory tests

Help identify types of inflammatory arthritis.

✔ Additional imaging when needed

  • CT scan
  • MRI
  • Bone scan

These tests provide detailed views of the joints and surrounding tissues.

Treatment Options for Foot and Ankle Arthritis

Effective treatment aims to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and correct deformity when present.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Your doctor may recommend:

  • Anti-inflammatory medications (oral or injected steroids)
  • Physical therapy to maintain motion and strength
  • Weight reduction to decrease stress on joints
  • Orthotics, including shoe inserts, custom braces, or pads
  • Activity modification to reduce strain on the joints

These measures help slow the progression and make daily movement easier.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Surgery is reserved for cases where conservative treatment has failed—especially when deformity or severe pain is present.

Common surgical procedures include:

  • Joint replacement
  • Joint fusion
  • Combination procedures, depending on the joints involved

These operations typically provide significant pain relief and restore function.

Recovery After Surgery

Healing requires patience and rehabilitation. You may need:

  • A period of immobilization
  • A walker, crutches, or special boots
  • Braces or modified footwear
  • Structured physiotherapy

Most patients experience meaningful improvement after completing rehabilitation.