Foot and ankle pain or stiffness of the joints, felt especially during old age, can be a symptom of arthritis. Managing the pain and disregarding the uncomfortable feeling often results in serious, severe arthritis that may eventually impair the patient's ability to walk even short distances. Serious arthritis can restrict mobility and limit the quality of one's life.
A joint inflammation, arthritis is best described as a condition concerning damage to the joints, the tissues that surround joints, and other connective tissue of the body. Arthritis is common in adults 65 and older, but it can strike and affect people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups. As arthritis commonly affects the feet, a person suffering from this illness can have difficulties walking and often feels foot and ankle pain even trying.
\"Pain Foot\"
The foot has 26 bones and over 30 joints while the ankle links the foot to the lower leg. Foot and ankle pain and joint deformity often suggest the diagnosis of foot and ankle arthritis. Once the joint is infected, it is most likely that cartilage cells will be affected and damaged in due time. Because cartilage cells cannot redevelop, the damage from an infection can be permanent. Less commonly, foot and ankle pain caused by arthritis can lead to irritation of the nerves surrounding the joint, causing numbness in the foot and ankle.
In preventing foot and ankle pain caused by arthritis, one should always begin with simple steps such as having proper footwear, or trying some shoe modifications if already suffering the condition. Occasionally, a foot care specialist examines the shoes that the patient wears to find evidence of deformity, wear and alignment. This independent shoe exam helps define the cause of foot and ankle pain, and even knee and hip pains. Lifestyle is another big factor and you must check if your current lifestyle is adequate for having healthy feet. Arthritis patients should try to limit impact activities that can affect fast treatment and management of the condition. In some more serious cases, a brace may be fabricated to help hold the affected joint in position. These braces will support the joints and prevent excessive motion.
Another decease of feet is Mycosis which is can be caused by fungus. Onychomycosis is also a kind of infection of the toenail. Fungi or disfigure nail can cause fungal toenail infections. There are many kind of fungal toenail infections. Depending on the infection nail may change into different colors such as yellow, brown, gray or black.
Generally, whether the patient has arthritis or not, foot and ankle pain usually stems from, or is exacerbated by, ill-fitting shoes. Hammertoes, painful toenails, bunion pain and neuroma are conditions that occur when the foot begins to change to the shape of the shoe. Wearing comfortable, adequate footwear can help free you of foot and ankle pain without the cost and time spent on surgery and other treatment. Proper, well-fitting shoes are very important and helpful in improving mobility of patients suffering from arthritis.
Another key to pain-free feet and ankles is regular exercise. To minimize stiffness and pain, stretching out the Achilles tendon (the cord at the back of the heel) and the tendons inside the balls of your feet appears to be effective. Foot and ankle massage is also considered helpful in preventing abnormal stress from immobility and to ease foot and ankle pain over time.
Full care and attention of the feet and ankles to avoid discomfort is worth spending time and money on and makes life a pain-free, happy and relaxed experience.
Foot and Ankle Pain