TANNER FOOT & ANKLE CLINICS (801) 773-4865 GARY N. OAKS DPM
  • Home
  • Make an Appointment
  • Patient Information
    • Office Visit Handouts
    • Gait Videos
    • Tanner Clinic Patient Portal
    • Rehab and PT after surgery/injury
    • Surgery Instructions and Post Operative Information >
      • Pre Operative Instructions
      • Post Operative Visit Instructions >
        • Ankle stabilization
        • Endoscopic gastrocnemius recession
        • First metatarsophalangeal joint fusion or big toe joint fusion
        • Minimally invasive achiiles tendon repair protocol
      • Assistive Devices
    • Patient Forms and Policies >
      • New Patient History Form
      • Determining Covered Services
      • Disability Form Processing Policy
      • Pain Medications and Controlled Substances
    • Insurances Accepted
    • Shoe & Orthotic Guide >
      • Shoe Stores
      • Lacing techniques
      • Orthotic Break In
    • Patient Survey
  • Treatments Provided
    • Common Problems A-J >
      • Ankle Instability
      • Ankle Sprain
      • Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle
      • Blood Clots of the Foot or Leg (DVT)
      • Bone Infections/Osteomylitis
      • Bunion
      • bursitis
      • Callus or Corn
      • Cracked Heels
      • Flat foot
      • Foot Odor
      • Fractured Bones
      • Frostbite
      • Ganglion Cyst
      • Gout
      • Hammertoe
      • Heel Pain
      • Ingrown Toenail
      • Intractable plantar keratosis
      • Joint Pain
    • Common Problems K-Z >
      • Mole/Melanoma
      • Nail Fungus
      • Neuroma
      • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
      • Plantar Wart
      • Puncture Wound
      • Restless Legs
      • Rheumatoid Arthritis
      • Skin Cancer
      • Smelly Feet
      • Stress Fractures
      • Sweaty Feet
      • Swollen Ankle (Edema)
      • Thick Nails
      • Tingling Feet (Neuropathy or Sciatica)
      • Tired Feet
      • Ulcers
    • Diabetic Feet >
      • Amputation Prevention
      • Foot Care
      • Peripheral Neuropathy
      • Diabetic Shoegear
      • Wound Care
    • Kids Feet >
      • Flatfeet
      • Heel Pain in Kids
      • Ingrown Toenails in Kids
      • In toeing, Pigeon toe or Genu Valgum
      • Waddling walk, Duck Walk or Genu Valgum
      • Orthotics
    • Sports Medicine >
      • Achilles Tendonitis
      • Ankle Sprain
      • Athletes Foot
      • Biomechanics
      • Joint Pain
      • Orthotics/Arch Supports
      • Running Injuries
      • Shin Slints
  • About Us
  • Location
  • Store
  • Blog
  • Custom Molded Orthotics (CMO)
  • Fall Risk
  • Intermittent Claudication
  • Nutrition and wound healing
  • Opioid Pain Medications-What you need to know
  • Topical Pain Options
  • Peripheral Neuropathy

Arthritis of the Foot & Ankle

Picture
Arthritis is a degenerative process of the cartilage that protects joints.  There are multiple types of arthritis.
 
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of arthritis and is a condition characterized by the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage in one or more joints. Cartilage (the connective tissue found at the end of the bones in the joints) protects and cushions the bones during movement. Cartilage can be lost due to damage such as trauma, wear and tear, or inappropriate motion across a joint.  Osteoarthritis known as degenerative arthritis is often associated with increase of age. Commonly affected areas of osteoarthritis include the hands, feet, spine, hips, and knees. In the foot, common areas include the big toe, midfoot and ankle.
 
Other types of arthridities would include rheumatoid, gout, psoriatic, vasculytic, seronegetive etc.
 
Causes
With continual motion across a joint cartilage eventually wears out or thins, causing pain and inflammation of the joint. 
This may occur prematurely due to:
  • Trauma caused by stubbing a toe or dropping something on the foot, sprains, or a broken bone.
  • Lack of appropriate support or shoegear from high arches or flat feet.
  • Poor alignment of the bones either genetically or otherwise, this would include bunions, hammertoes.
Symptoms
People with osteoarthritis may note:

  1. pain and stiffness in the joint
  2. swelling in or near the joint
  3. redness or heat
  4. bumps on the bones around the joints called spurs
  5. difficulty walking or bending the joint
Diagnosis
When evaluating your foot your doctor will take into account symptoms as well as additional findings and x-rays to be able to provide you with the most appropriate treatment.  As many problems may look similar it is important to see someone that focuses specifically on the area of pain.  Podiatrists have some of the most extensive training with new techniques and procedures to help you recover to your fullest.
 
Non-surgical Treatment may include:
  • Oral medications   Such as Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often helpful in reducing the inflammation and pain. Steroid medications available by prescription may also be needed to help appropriately decrease pain.
  • Orthotic devices are prescription devices that are placed into the shoes that are made to fit your foot (much the same as glasses) to provide support to improve the foot’s mechanics or cushioning to help minimize pain.   Using orthotics that are not made to fit your foot may actually cause problems and are discouraged.
  • Bracing  Bracing, which restricts motion and supports the joint, can reduce pain during walking or running.
  • Immobilization by use of a cast or removable boot may be helpful in allowing inflammation to resolve and decreasing pain.
  • Steroid injections can be used at times to help in delivery of strong medication to a local area promoting decreased inflammation and pain.
  • Physical therapy uses exercises to promote strengthening, flexibility, and stability while decreasing pain and encouraging mobility.  
When Is Surgery Needed?
Surgery may be considered when appropriate conservative or non surgical treatment has been exhausted and to address significant pain.


Tanner Foot & Ankle Clinics

Tanner Clinic-Roy
3443 W. 5600 S. Suite #110
Roy, Utah. 84067
(801)773 4865  Appointment 
​
(801) 525-8757 Fax
DISCLAIMER OF Gary N. Oaks DPM
Gary N. Oaks DPM expressly disclaims all warranties and responsibilities of any kind, whether express or implied, for the accuracy or reliability of the content of any information contained in this Web Site, and for the suitability, results, effectiveness or fitness for any particular purpose of the services, procedures, advice or treatments referred to herein, such content and suitability, etc., being the sole responsibility of parties other than Gary N. Oaks DPM, and the reliance upon or use of same by you is at your own independent discretion and risk.
  • Home
  • Make an Appointment
  • Patient Information
    • Office Visit Handouts
    • Gait Videos
    • Tanner Clinic Patient Portal
    • Rehab and PT after surgery/injury
    • Surgery Instructions and Post Operative Information >
      • Pre Operative Instructions
      • Post Operative Visit Instructions >
        • Ankle stabilization
        • Endoscopic gastrocnemius recession
        • First metatarsophalangeal joint fusion or big toe joint fusion
        • Minimally invasive achiiles tendon repair protocol
      • Assistive Devices
    • Patient Forms and Policies >
      • New Patient History Form
      • Determining Covered Services
      • Disability Form Processing Policy
      • Pain Medications and Controlled Substances
    • Insurances Accepted
    • Shoe & Orthotic Guide >
      • Shoe Stores
      • Lacing techniques
      • Orthotic Break In
    • Patient Survey
  • Treatments Provided
    • Common Problems A-J >
      • Ankle Instability
      • Ankle Sprain
      • Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle
      • Blood Clots of the Foot or Leg (DVT)
      • Bone Infections/Osteomylitis
      • Bunion
      • bursitis
      • Callus or Corn
      • Cracked Heels
      • Flat foot
      • Foot Odor
      • Fractured Bones
      • Frostbite
      • Ganglion Cyst
      • Gout
      • Hammertoe
      • Heel Pain
      • Ingrown Toenail
      • Intractable plantar keratosis
      • Joint Pain
    • Common Problems K-Z >
      • Mole/Melanoma
      • Nail Fungus
      • Neuroma
      • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
      • Plantar Wart
      • Puncture Wound
      • Restless Legs
      • Rheumatoid Arthritis
      • Skin Cancer
      • Smelly Feet
      • Stress Fractures
      • Sweaty Feet
      • Swollen Ankle (Edema)
      • Thick Nails
      • Tingling Feet (Neuropathy or Sciatica)
      • Tired Feet
      • Ulcers
    • Diabetic Feet >
      • Amputation Prevention
      • Foot Care
      • Peripheral Neuropathy
      • Diabetic Shoegear
      • Wound Care
    • Kids Feet >
      • Flatfeet
      • Heel Pain in Kids
      • Ingrown Toenails in Kids
      • In toeing, Pigeon toe or Genu Valgum
      • Waddling walk, Duck Walk or Genu Valgum
      • Orthotics
    • Sports Medicine >
      • Achilles Tendonitis
      • Ankle Sprain
      • Athletes Foot
      • Biomechanics
      • Joint Pain
      • Orthotics/Arch Supports
      • Running Injuries
      • Shin Slints
  • About Us
  • Location
  • Store
  • Blog
  • Custom Molded Orthotics (CMO)
  • Fall Risk
  • Intermittent Claudication
  • Nutrition and wound healing
  • Opioid Pain Medications-What you need to know
  • Topical Pain Options
  • Peripheral Neuropathy