Arthritis
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Benjamin Van Pham, DPM
Podiatrist located in Roseville, CA & Lincoln, CA
Your feet contain more than 30 joints, leaving them as prone as any other part of your body to the many different forms of arthritis. Dr. Benjamin Van Pham, DPM understands the many inflammatory conditions that can affect the feet and ankles, and they help patients in Roseville and Lincoln, California, find relief. To learn more about arthritis in your feet and ankles, call the office or use the online scheduling tool to set up an appointment.
Arthritis Q & A
What forms of arthritis can affect my feet and ankles?
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, which is any disease that causes inflammation and pain in your joints. Several types of the disease are more likely to strike your feet and ankles, including:
Osteoarthritis
This is the most common form of arthritis and causes the cartilage in your joints to break down, leaving your bones to rub together without protection. An estimated 1 in 6 adults over the age of 50 has some form of osteoarthritis in their feet.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
This is an autoimmune disorder in which your body mistakenly attacks the synovium in your joints, causing pain and inflammation. More than 90% of those with RA suffer symptoms in their feet and ankles.
Gout
This form of arthritis is caused by a buildup of uric acid in your joints, which creates sharp, crystal-like structures that can cause serious discomfort. Gout typically attacks your big toe.
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
PsA is another autoimmune disorder in which your immune system mistakenly attacks itself — in this case, your connective tissues.
What are the signs of arthritis?
The hallmark of any form of arthritis is pain and inflammation within your joints. In your feet, you may experience limited movement in the joints, especially in your big toe. You may also feel heat in your feet, or your toes may grow in size or change shape, becoming distorted.
How is arthritis treated?
While there’s no cure for arthritis, Dr. Van Pham has a number of effective tools to tackle the pain and inflammation, including:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Joint injections
- Custom orthotics
- Laser therapy
The laser treatment is a technology called low-level laser therapy, which addresses inflammation and pain in your joints using light energy.
Often, Dr. Van Pham takes a multi-pronged approach to arthritis, using a combination of treatments to help you find relief. For example, while you undergo laser therapy, you should also arrange for custom orthotics to help take the pressure off of your sensitive joints.
For expert treatment of your arthritis, call Dr. Benjamin Van Pham, DPM, or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment.
