Treating Arthritis in the Foot
Joint Health
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If your symptoms are mild, medications may be enough to reduce pain and swelling. For more severe arthritis, surgery may be needed to improve the condition of the joint.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe medication-pills or injections- to limit pain and swelling. Ice, aspirin, or ibuprofen may help relieve mild symptoms that occur after activity.
Surgery
To ease movement and reduce pain, your doctor may trim damaged bone. If arthritis is severe, the joint may be fused or removed.
Trimming Bones
Fusing Joints
After Surgery
As You Heal
After surgery, you’ll be told how to care for your incision and how soon to begin walking on the foot. Until the foot can bear weight, you may need to walk with crutches or a cane.
For surgery on the big toe, your foot may be splinted to limit movement for several weeks. Despite this, you should be able to walk soon after surgery.
For surgery on rear or midfoot joints, you may need to wear a cast or surgical shoe. These joints are fairly large, so full recovery may take a few months. Once the bone has healed, any staples or screws may be removed.