Arthritis Types Explained

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Background

Arthritis can be painful, restrictive, and debilitating. Beyond the discomfort, arthritis in the feet can lead to permanent changes in the joints, which can impair mobility, make finding comfortable footwear more difficult, and ultimately impact your quality of life and independence.

Here are some key facts about the burden of arthritis, provided by Arthritis Australia:

Although existing damage from arthritis cannot be reversed, podiatry care can help slow its progression, reduce pain, and improve comfort. With over 100 types of arthritis, we commonly treat and manage the following four types that affect our patients

arthritis pain in the knees displayed by an older couple with the husband gripping his right knee from pain

Table of Contents

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, often referred to as “wear and tear” arthritis, primarily affects the bone ends in a joint. However, recent definitions have expanded to include the impact on the entire joint and all of its components. Some structural changes result from the body actively attempting to repair the joint damage, rather than just from the wear-down process.

While osteoarthritis can affect any joint, it commonly targets the knees, feet, and hips due to the frequent use and force these joints endure in everyday life. If you have never been diagnosed with an inflammatory condition but suspect you have joint pain, osteoarthritis may be the type of arthritis affecting you.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a destructive inflammatory joint disease and an autoimmune condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks your own cells, specifically targeting the lining of your joints. This condition typically manifests in symmetrical flare-ups, which can be extremely painful. During these flare-ups, your joints can become damaged, and structural changes occur, worsening over time as the flare-ups continue.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis usually requires treatment from a specialist rheumatologist, along with a coordinated healthcare team, including a podiatrist, to manage the symptoms and prevent further joint damage.

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Gout

Gout is a distinct type of arthritis caused by needle-like crystals forming in your joints, most commonly in the feet and particularly in the big toe joint. This is referred to as a gout “flare,” which brings intense pain and swelling. The crystals are caused by a high concentration of urate, or uric acid, in the blood. With gout, prevention and management are essential for keeping you comfortable and mobile, both before and during a flare.

Arthritis In Children - Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Arthritis in children under the age of 16 is generally referred to as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), unless another specific type of arthritis is diagnosed. Affecting approximately one in 500 children, the cause of this autoimmune disease is not well understood but involves the body’s immune system attacking healthy joint cells, particularly in the knees and feet. This can create significant challenges with comfortable and healthy movement. Since joint damage can have lifelong consequences, it is crucial to diagnose and manage arthritis in children as early as possible.

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