Stiffness and soreness
When arthritis first sets in, the person may experience stiffness, especially when he or she first gets up in the morning or after resting. Once he or she gets moving — after about a half-hour or so — stiffness may subside (it can last two hours or more in the case of the more severe rheumatoid arthritis). Later, soreness at the joint may develop, along with swelling, tenderness or weakness. There may be cracking noises or a reduction in flexibility.
Joints most often affected are the ones we use most often: the lower back, hips and knees. The neck, the fingers and the feet may also be affected. “The most damaged is the big toe,” says Dr. Michael Wodka, a podiatrist practicing in Middletown, who treats many patients with arthritis of the feet. “We see bunions, which is the enlargement of that joint. We also see it in the ankle joint and in the metatarsal and phalangeal joints at the ball of the foot.”
Diagnosis is the first step in treating arthritis. “First we might do blood work to determine the type of arthritis,” says Wodka. Rheumatoid arthritis, which is a more crippling, severe and systemic form of the disease, is “difficult to treat,” he says.
Doctors will usually ask questions about symptoms such as duration and severity of pain and if there’s any swelling. X-rays, MRIs, and joint aspiration may be done.
Arthritis is incurable, so treatment measures aim to alleviate the discomforts of the condition. At Wodka’s office, “For a hot, inflamed joint we might give the patient a corticosteroid injection or oral anti-inflammatory…It depends on the age of the patient and the type of arthritis.” If one leg being longer or shorter contributes to the arthritis, they might support the foot with an orthotic.
Staying active
“We want to keep people mobile,” he adds. “The more they walk, they loosen the joints up, get blood to the area …. And we usually recommend more supportive footgear, not walking barefoot or in flip-flops but in a good running sneaker.”
Staying active is key. Less load-bearing exercise like swimming or using an elliptical trainer may be helpful. Good ergonomics help, too. Take breaks when sitting for a long time to get up and move around; carry heavy items close to your body.
