Arthritis Specialist
-
- Tweet
David M. Bloome, MD
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon located in Houston, TX
Arthritis is the No. 1 cause of disability for adults in the United States, affecting 54 million people each year. David M. Bloome, MD is an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon in Houston who offers comprehensive arthritis care with a focus on pain relief and mobility for people of all ages. If your joints ache or you have trouble walking because of arthritis pain, Dr. Bloome can help. Call or use the online booking tool to schedule a consultation today.
Arthritis Q & A
How does arthritis affect feet and ankles?
Arthritis, in its many forms, is a painful, degenerative disease that damages your joints over time and can grow debilitating. Foot and ankle pain and stiffness as a result of arthritis are rather common, especially as you age, have had previous trauma, or suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Since arthritis affects your joints, when you have it on your feet and ankles, the stress of everyday activities can make it worse.
The most common forms of arthritis that affect the joints in your feet and ankles include:
- Osteoarthritis, a degenerative, “wear and tear” disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic, inflammation-causing autoimmune disease
- Post-traumatic arthritis, which develops after an injury
What are the symptoms of arthritis?
Your symptoms are going to vary depending on the form of the disease you have and which joints are affected. Typically, your joints get inflamed and swell up. Afflicted joints may appear deformed over time, as well. Along with joint stiffness, you may also experience:
- Difficulty walking on painful joints
- Swelling, warmth, and redness around arthritic joints
- Increased pain with movement
- Painful flare-ups after physical activities
- Joints that are tender to the touch
Men and women who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis almost always develop symptoms in their feet and ankles, especially if they’ve had the disease for many years.
How is arthritis treated?
For the most effective treatment, Dr. Bloome determines which type of arthritis is causing your symptoms. In many cases, he begins with conservative treatments to help relieve your pain, which may include immobilization of your feet and ankles to take pressure off your joints. Dr. Bloome also offers orthotics for your shoes to lessen foot pain and make walking more comfortable.
Steroid injections may also provide long-lasting pain relief from different types of arthritis and help restore mobility so you can function better in your daily activities. If more conservative treatment methods don’t give you the relief you need, Dr. Bloome is a skilled orthopedic surgeon, so he can also perform surgery on your feet or ankles, if necessary.
If you suffer from daily arthritis pain and don’t know where to turn for help, it may be time to seek medical treatment for your chronic symptoms. Although there’s no cure for arthritis, you can effectively manage it and get back to living life to the fullest. Call the office or schedule a consultation using the online booking tool.
