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Ankle Arthritis Symptoms
Posted on 05-08-2025 in Achilles Tendinitis, Ankle Arthritis & Arthritis by Dr. Erik Nilssen
Posted on 05-08-2025 in Achilles Tendinitis, Ankle Arthritis & Arthritis by Dr. Erik Nilssen
While stiffness and pain may increase with age, this can also be a classic sign of osteoarthritis. Swelling, pain, and deformity can keep you from normal daily activities if left untreated. Here is more information to help you identify symptoms and understand how it can affect your foot and ankle.
ANKLE ARTHRITIS
There are numerous forms of arthritis (more than 100), many of which affect the ankle. No matter which type of ankle arthritis an individual has, walking and participating in physical activities can be challenging. At North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists, we frequently treat individuals in Pensacola and Gulf Breeze Fla., who have ankle arthritis.
ARTHRITIS – DEFINED
Arthritis refers to inflammation in one or more joints. Arthritis can occur in any joint, but it is especially common in the small joints located in the foot and the ankle. Unfortunately, arthritis cannot be cured; however, it can be managed. There are a variety of treatment options available at North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists that are specifically designed to relieve the symptoms associated with this condition as well as slow its progression. Many individuals who have arthritis find that they can remain active by managing their pain, which allows them to lead the fulfilling lives they deserve.
OSTEOARTHRITIS FREQUENTLY AFFECTS THE ANKLE AND FOOT
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease and commonly occurs once an individual reaches middle age. Osteoarthritis involves the joint cartilage gradually wearing away. As this occurs, the joint becomes rough and frayed. As the protective space between the bones decreases, the bones begin rubbing against one another. This rubbing can cause painful bone spurs to form. Osteoarthritis gradually develops, resulting in stiffness and pain that becomes worse as time passes.
SYMPTOMS OF ARTHRITIS
Symptoms are directly linked to the joint that is affected. In the majority of cases, the joint will be swollen and painful. Usually, this pain develops gradually; however, there have been instances where the pain comes on suddenly.
Other symptoms of arthritis include:
SYMPTOMS OF ACHILLES TENDONITIS
Individuals who have ankle arthritis also experience Achilles tendonitis more frequently than those who do not. Therefore, when outlining the symptoms of ankle arthritis, the symptoms associated with Achilles tendonitis must also be addressed.
The symptoms of Achilles tendonitis include:
The most prominent symptom of Achilles tendonitis is inflammation and pain in the back side of the heel, especially upon running or walking.
Arthritis represents a wide variety of joint inflammation diseases. Patients most often have chronic Arthritis in their wrists, hands, and fingers, experiencing flares of inflammation, soreness or stiffness affecting the joints. As we recently wrapped up Bone & Joint Action Week, this is an excellent opportunity to bring awareness to the most common categories of Arthritis, proactive methods for pain prevention and available treatment solutions.
Arthritis literally translates to “inflammation of the joint” and describes the degenerative process through which a joint space loses its “cushioning,” whether are the result of injury, illness or the natural process of aging. It is the leading cause of musculoskeletal pain and can be found in almost every part of the body, from the shoulder all the way down to the smallest joint of the toe. Our joints are intricate structures shaped from cartilage, bone, muscle and connective tissue, all of which can gradually weaken over time or be damaged by acute injury. While there are more than one hundred known types of arthritis, the three most common forms are osteoarthritis, which is by far the most prevalent; rheumatoid arthritis, which is caused by the body’s own immune system generating a chronic inflammatory response in the joints; and post-traumatic arthritis, which is caused by the lingering structural damage of acute injuries.
Research from the National Library of Medicine states that one in seven people in the United States suffers from some form of wrist arthritis. That estimate indicates that just over 13% of the American population experiences discomfort, inflammation or limited range in motion due to this condition. As we usher in the month of May and recognize National Arthritis Awareness Month, we want to emphasize wrist arthritis and provide an overview of the condition, symptoms to be aware of, treatment options, and tips for managing its symptoms.