Arthritis Specialist

Why do I have arthritis?

While more than 100 forms of arthritis exist, having this painful inflammatory condition in your feet and ankles is often most common. You can develop arthritis in your feet and ankles due to:

• Wear-and-tear (osteoarthritis)
• Autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis)
• Uric acid buildup (gout)
• Injury or trauma (posttraumatic arthritis)

While arthritis can affect anyone, some men and women are prone to developing arthritis because it runs in their families. Your risk of foot and ankle arthritis also increases if you’re overweight or obese.

How is arthritis diagnosed?

Dr. Harris diagnoses arthritis through a series of tests and exams. After talking with you about your family and personal medical history, Dr. Harris performs a physical exam. He may need to watch you walk, or just need to check for inflammation.

To further help confirm an arthritis diagnosis — and to rule out other possible conditions — Dr. Harris often requests digital X-ray imaging to evaluate the health of your joints. He may need to order blood testing to check for inflammatory biomarkers or signs of infection, too.

What is the treatment for arthritis?

Once Dr. Harris has a better understanding of your specific case of arthritis, he can develop a personalized treatment plan that’s likely going to include several different types of remedies. Treating foot and ankle arthritis and relieving pain can involve:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Cortisone injections
• Custom orthotics
• Physical therapy
• Supportive braces

For more severe cases of arthritis, Dr. Harris might need to perform surgery. Minimally invasive foot and ankle arthritis surgery involves removing loose cartilage, inflamed tissue, or any protruding bone spurs. If needed, he may fuse bones together to eliminate movement in your affected joint.

If your joint is severely damaged, Dr. Harris might need to implant supportive screws or plates to enhance joint stability. He could even suggest replacing the entire joint with a more functional artificial joint. The caring team at Flower Mound Foot and Ankle Center offer thorough post-operative care, so you can expect to have a full recovery and heal stronger than you were in the first place.

With the help of the team at Flower Mound Foot and Ankle Center, you don’t have to live with arthritis pain another day. Schedule your exam online or call the clinic.