Arthritis of the Foot & Ankle

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Stiff, aching feet or ankles? We diagnose and treat foot and ankle arthritis with targeted footwear, orthotics, therapy, injections, and surgery when needed—so you can stay active.

Arthritis means the joint cartilage is worn or inflamed, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling. It can affect the big toe (first MTP), midfoot joints, hindfoot/subtalar joint, or the ankle itself. Causes include wear-and-tear (osteoarthritis), prior injuries, inflammatory arthritis, or flatfoot deformity that overloads joints.

Common symptoms

• Morning stiffness or pain after rest
• Aching that worsens with standing/walking; relief with rest
• Swelling, warmth, or reduced range of motion
• Difficulty with uneven ground or push-off

Risk factors

• Prior sprain/fracture or repetitive impact
• Flatfoot/high arches altering load
• Inflammatory conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, gout)
• Age, high BMI, occupational standing

We start with history, exam, and gait/footwear review.

• Weight-bearing X-rays assess joint space, alignment, and bone spurs.
• Ultrasound or MRI may be used for cartilage/tendon evaluation or if pain doesn’t match X-rays.
• Labs can help when inflammatory arthritis is suspected.

Most patients improve with a multi-step plan.

Footwear & support

• Stable shoes with rocker soles or stiff forefoot plates to reduce painful bend
• Custom orthotics to offload arthritic joints and improve alignment
• Lace-up brace or ankle support when instability adds pain

Mobility, strength, and activity

• Gentle range-of-motion and calf/foot strengthening
• Balance/proprioception for uneven ground tolerance
• Activity modifications and walking program that respect symptoms

Pain and flare management

• Ice/contrast and short courses of anti-inflammatory measures when appropriate
• Taping or padded sleeves for focal hotspots

Injections (select cases)

• Image-guided corticosteroid injections can calm flares in the big toe, midfoot, hindfoot, or ankle
• Viscosupplementation is sometimes considered for ankle arthritis; evidence varies—your plan will be individualized

If pain limits daily life despite appropriate conservative care, surgery may help—chosen by joint and severity:

• Big toe (first MTP): cheilectomy (bone spur removal) for early disease; fusion for advanced arthritis
• Midfoot: fusion of the painful joints to stabilize and relieve load
• Hindfoot/subtalar: fusion to reduce painful motion and improve alignment
• Ankle: arthroscopy for impingement/loose bodies in select cases; ankle fusion for reliable pain relief in advanced arthritis; total ankle replacement for carefully selected patients who need motion preservation

We’ll review benefits, risks, recovery time, and shoe/activity milestones.

1. Evaluation: Exam, imaging as needed, footwear review.
2. Plan: Clear steps you can start the same day (shoe strategy, orthotic design, exercises, flare plan).
3. Follow-up: Re-check at 4–8 weeks to adjust support, progress activity, and consider injections or surgical options if needed.

• Sudden severe pain with inability to bear weight after an injury
• Hot, red, rapidly swelling joint with fever (possible infection or acute gout)
• Numbness, color change, or new deformity

• Board-certified care led by Hannah Lee, DPM
• Emphasis on conservative relief first with thoughtful footwear and orthotic guidance
• Image-guided injections when appropriate
• Full spectrum of surgical options—including fusion and ankle replacement—matched to your goals

Will orthotics fix arthritis?
They won’t regrow cartilage, but well-designed orthotics redistribute pressure and often reduce pain significantly.

Are rocker-sole shoes helpful?
Yes—by limiting painful joint bend during push-off, many patients walk farther with less pain.

How long do injections last?
Relief varies (weeks to months). They’re best used alongside shoes, orthotics, and strengthening—not as a stand-alone fix.

Fusion vs. replacement for the ankle?
Fusion reliably relieves pain but sacrifices motion; replacement preserves some motion but has different risks. We’ll help you choose based on age, alignment, activity, and bone quality.

Let’s build a plan that reduces pain and protects your joints.