THE SYMPTOMS OF ARTHRITIS IN FEET
Arthritis starts to attack joints in our bodies as we age causing pain. It commonly attacks joints in the hands, knees, and hips. However, it can occur anywhere in the body including the toes. Toe arthritis is when the toe joint becomes inflamed and mostly affects the big toe. Some risk factors include increased age, being overweight and a family history of arthritis. Also at risk are women who wear tight, high heels.
Pain in your big toe is the first symptom of arthritis. This pain can range from a deep, achy feeling to a sharper stabbing sensation. This is quite debilitating and can stop you from enjoying daily activities.
Once your arthritis starts wearing away the cartilage, your joints become stiff and walking becomes difficult. Since your big toe helps with balance, you might have difficulty walking without pain. Your toe will also become inflamed due to arthritis. The swelling will make it difficult to put your shoes on in the morning. When you have arthritis in your big toe, you will start to hear clicking and popping noises in your toe. These sounds occur due to the deterioration of the cartilage in the toe. In addition, your toe will start to look different and your toe will look like it has a big bump on it. When your toe is inflamed, you may feel warmth in the area and the toe will be tender to the touch. Your joint might become locked if there is a ton of swelling and stiffness. However, this is not permanent and can be fixed by trying to bend the toe.
Remember, all these symptoms will make walking painful and difficult. Your walk might change due to the pain. Big toe arthritis can affect your entire body and cause hip or back pain, weight gain, and other problems.
Should you have any questions, please contact our team here to set up an appointment online, by email at info@riverpodiatry.com or by phone at (845) 735-8440.
River Podiatry, with offices in Pearl River NY and Midland Park NJ, provides individualized and comprehensive, treatment for patients suffering various foot health issues. Dr. Han is well known for his work in treating big toe arthritis. Make an appointment today with podiatrist and surgeon Dr. Han!
