Are your leg joints sore? Could this be arthritis (Foot and Ankle Arthritis)?

Do you also experience severe pain in your ankles and toes when you try to get out of bed in the morning? Does your leg feel stiff for a while, unable to bend or straighten properly? Does this pain increase or decrease as you walk or work throughout the day? If these problems are familiar to you, then you may also have arthritis, a common condition among many people. Don't worry, if you understand this and manage it properly, you can live a normal life. Today, we will talk about this in a simple way that you can understand.

Simply put, what is arthritis in the leg?

Simply put, arthritis is a condition that causes your joints, or joints, to become swollen and painful. When it affects your feet and ankles, we call it "Foot and Ankle Arthritis." Just think, there are 26 small bones and more than 30 joints in just one foot. It's like a small machine. As we age, just like tires on a car wear out over time, our joints also start to wear out. This normal wear and tear causes many people to develop arthritis. Apart from that, this condition can also be caused by certain diseases and accidents. It can affect any joint in your toes, ankles, heels, the top of your foot, or the arch of your foot.

The main types of arthritis affecting the legs

Although there are over 100 types of arthritis, there are a few that most commonly affect our legs. Let's take a look at what they are.

How do you know if you have arthritis? What are the symptoms?

Arthritis doesn't happen overnight. It develops over time. If you experience one or more of these symptoms in the same area, be concerned.

• Joint pain: This is the main symptom.
• Joint stiffness: Your legs and ankles may feel stiff, especially when you get up in the morning and after staying in the same position (e.g., sitting) for a long time. This stiffness will ease when you walk around a bit.
• Joint swelling : The area where the pain occurs may be swollen.
• Reduced range of motion: It becomes difficult to move the ankle and fingers up, down, and around as usual.
• Skin discoloration: The skin may become red where there is swelling.
• Pain when touched: The painful joint hurts when pressed with the hand or touched.
• Warmth around the joint: When you touch it with your hand, the joint may feel warmer than other areas.

Some types of arthritis have symptoms that come and go in waves. This means that they are very severe for a few days and then subside after a few days. We call these flares or flare-ups. Some people may have pain and stiffness almost all the time.

Who is at higher risk of developing this arthritis?

Anyone can develop arthritis, but some people are at a slightly higher risk.

Common risk factors:

• Tobacco use: People who smoke cigarettes and use other tobacco products are at increased risk of developing arthritis .
• Family history : If your mother, father, or siblings have arthritis, you are more likely to develop it too.
• Previous injuries: If there has been repeated injuries to the same joint (for example, if a sportsperson frequently sprains their ankle), the risk is higher.
• Other diseases: People with autoimmune diseases, obesity , and other diseases that affect the joints can develop arthritis.

Groups at higher risk:

• People over 50 years old: Due to joint wear and tear as we age.
• Men: Types such as gout are especially common in men.
• Athletes: For those who play sports that put a lot of weight and pressure on their legs and ankles.
• People who work in physically demanding jobs: For those who work standing all day and lifting heavy objects.

Doctor, how do you diagnose this?

When you go to see your doctor, the first thing he or she will do is examine you. 1. He or she will ask you about your symptoms. When did the pain start, what time of day does it hurt the most, does the pain get worse when you do something, and whether you have pain in both legs. 2. Physical examination: The doctor will feel your feet, ankles, and toes and check for swelling, redness, and warmth. 3. Gait analysis: The doctor will observe the way you walk and the way your legs stand. 4. Joint mobility: The doctor will check how far you can bend and straighten your ankles and toes. You may also want to compare these with your healthy leg. After these tests, you may be asked to do some more tests to confirm the diagnosis.

• X-ray: This can be used to see if the space between the joints has narrowed or if the bones have worn away.
• MRI or CT scan: These can more clearly see the condition of the soft tissues and cartilage around the joints. `(MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging, CT scan - Computed Tomography scan)`
• Blood tests: If you suspect you have gout , your blood uric acid levels can be checked. Blood tests can also help detect autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

What are the treatments for this?

The first thing to understand is that arthritis cannot be cured. However, with the right treatment and lifestyle changes, you can control your pain, reduce joint damage, and live a normal life. Your doctor will decide what treatment you need. It will depend on factors such as the type of arthritis you have and the severity of your symptoms.

What can you do to manage and prevent arthritis while living with it?

Don't exercise in a way that causes severe pain. But moving your body can help reduce pain and stiffness and prevent symptoms from getting worse. You don't have to run marathons or lift weights.

• Walking
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Yoga exercises

Low-impact exercises like walking are great. Ask your doctor what exercises are right for you.

Things that help prevent arthritis:

• Stay away from tobacco products completely.
• Follow a healthy diet and exercise routine that suits you.
• Control your body weight.
• Always wear appropriate safety footwear when playing sports or working.

When should you definitely see a doctor?

A minor leg injury that lasts for a day or two is usually nothing to worry about. However, if you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor right away.

• Severe leg or ankle pain that lasts more than a week.
• Stiffness that gets worse day by day (especially if you suddenly can't move your leg or ankle as usual).
• If the usual symptoms appear frequently and severely.

Your feet and ankles carry the weight of your entire body and carry you everywhere. So don't ignore any pain or discomfort you may experience. The sooner you seek medical advice, the better your chances of getting good results from treatment. Arthritis, leg pain, ankle pain, joint pain, joint swelling, gout, Foot and Ankle Arthritis in Sinhala