Are you suffering from arthritic pain in your feet or ankles that’s limiting your activities?

If so, this can have dramatic effect on your overall health and significantly impact your quality of life. As we all know arthritis is a very common condition. It can occur at any age and is the leading cause of disability in the United States. The word arthritis simply means “joint inflammation”- a catch-all term that covers everything from a stiff joint from injury to severe disabling conditions such as rheumatoid, psoriatic or gouty arthritis. Arthritis can cause swelling, pain, deformity and even loss of function. In feet, arthritic changes often cause pressure areas to develop creating painful corns or calluses. Also a painful joint or spurring around a joint may develop. An arthritic ankle joint can become quite painful, deformed and even collapse inwards.

Fortunately there is help for those of you with painful arthritis in your feet. Dr. Tom Silver is an expert at the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis in feet and ankles. If you are experiencing any arthritic foot problems, call our clinic for an appointment to be evaluated and treated.

Osteoarthritis

The most common form of arthritis seen in the foot and ankle is osteoarthritis. It is called “wear and tear” arthritis and typically affects people over the age of 40. Each foot has 26 bones and 33 joints. As we age, these connections and the surrounding cartilage wear out and break down. This form of the disease is degenerative in nature, meaning that symptoms worsen over time. As cartilage thins out, bones can end up rubbing together causing pain, inflammation, swelling and spurring in joints.

An injury can cause osteoarthritis in a joint as well as a weak or imbalanced foot structure. A flat foot with loose ligaments or a high arched foot with stiffness and rigidity are both at increased risk for arthritis. The typical patients that Dr. Silver is able to help are commonly experiencing joint pain, stiffness, swelling and difficulty walking.

Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis

These are just two of the many metabolic conditions that Dr. Silver sees that can be quite disabling, requiring special medications to keep it under control. Dr. Silver works with several rheumatologists in the Minneapolis area who he refers patients to get their arthritis under control and they in turn refer patients to him to treat the resultant painful foot deformities that may have developed so that they can walk and fit into shoes more comfortably.

Gout

This a common form of arthritis that can come on suddenly, attacking a joint (most commonly the big toe joint) causing intense and disabling pain. This condition is common in men between 35-50 years of age who are often overweight, with high blood pressure and a family history of gout. It’s also common in older individuals due to certain medications, especially water pills (diuretics) taken to control blood pressure or for swollen feet and ankles as well as those with diminished kidney function. Call the Westwood Foot Clinic immediately if you are having or suspect you are having an acute gout attack in your foot. We’ll get you in as quickly as possible to alleviate your joint pain, then work with you to prevent future gouty attacks or disabling gouty arthritis.

Treatment for Painful Joints

Unfortunately, there is not always a cure for arthritis but you don’t need to suffer and be limited in your activities. With appropriate treatment, our patients are often able to stay active and live with much less pain. Therefore, getting treatment as early as possible is essential.

After a lower extremity exam, gait analysis and x-rays, Dr. Silver can determine the best treatment plan for you. This may include medications, injection therapy, prescription foot orthotics, ankle/foot orthotics (AFO), special accommodative shoes or physical therapy. Surgery may also be necessary to alleviate arthritic spurring and/or pain and to keep you walking and wearing shoes comfortably.

You don’t need to suffer any longer with joint pain in your feet or ankles when Dr. Silver and the staff at the Westwood Foot Clinic can help make a difference in your life!

Click here or call (763) 231-2341 now for an appointment with Dr. Silver at the Westwood Foot Clinic in Golden Valley, MN.

You can also reach us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions or concerns.

Westwood Foot Clinic serves the community of Golden Valley and surrounding communities, including St. Louis Park, Plymouth, New Hope, Crystal, Robbinsdale, Wayzata, Minnetonka and Minneapolis.