Foot joint disease: symptoms and treatment

Foot arthropathy is one of the most common pathological types, which is located in the joint devices of the distal lower extremities.

The undesirable consequences of destructive joint disease include chronic pain and loss of motor function. Degenerative damage to the joint tissue occurs after a regular heavy load on the foot and is a complication of injury and accompanying diseases. Arthropathy is accompanied by foot pain and deformity.

Treatment includes correction with orthopedic insoles and medication to relieve symptoms.

What's this?

Simply put, foot arthropathy is a serious injury to the arch joints of the foot, which is related to the gradual degradation and complete destruction of the cartilage tissue in it. In addition to the severe pain syndrome that accompanies pathology, it eventually leads to the inability of the foot to fully function, its depreciation and the loss of other functions, resulting in disability of the patient.

cause

The main causes of foot joint arthropathy are poor blood flow and degeneration of supporting tissues due to injury or age-related changes. For effective treatment, you need to understand the causes of foot joint disease.

The main root causes are described as follows:

1. Too much weight will put more pressure on the joints of the legs.
2. Degeneration of bone and cartilage tissue over the years.
3. Genetic susceptibility.
4. Walk in tight or oversized shoes.
5. Individual characteristics of the feet: broad, curved toes, and flat feet. In addition, different leg lengths may be the cause.
6. Excessive mechanical load on the limbs is a characteristic of people who like hard physical work or certain sports.
7. Traumatic leg lesions, muscle sprains.
8. Normally cold action.
9. Wearing high heels.

In addition, the following causes of foot joint disease are distinguished:

• Allergies and autoimmune diseases;
• Hip bone displacement or congenital irregularities;
• Hormonal and endocrine disorders in the body;
• Lack of useful and important elements;
• Chronic infectious disease of extremities.

It is impossible to completely cure this disease, but it is possible to significantly improve the patient’s quality of life by preventing further degeneration. In this regard, foot joint disease should be treated after determining the main signs of the disease.

What is the harm of joint disease to the foot?

In the absence of effective and timely treatment, arthropathy of foot joints progresses quite quickly, leading to the destruction of cartilage tissue and the inflammatory process of muscles.

This is not only accompanied by severe pain, but also with the deformity of the foot, accompanied by the growth of bone tissue in the joints. As a result, mobility is lost to the point where it is completely impossible to move the foot. This leads to disability, inability to act independently, and psychological discomfort due to low self-esteem.

Symptoms of foot joint disease

Foot joint disease is accompanied by symptoms of varying degrees, and the degree of manifestation depends on the stage and severity of the disease. Usually, the disease starts gradually and may not show external signs for a long time.

After walking for a long time, in addition to leg fatigue, there will be slight signs of deformation: the big toe metatarsophalangeal joint forms a small bony protrusion, and the shape of the finger changes. A person may perceive these signs as an unpleasant cosmetic defect and is unaware of the destructive disease.

The main symptoms of foot joint disease:

1. After waking up, the joints are stiff and unable to move. After a short warm-up, the feet regain their elasticity;
2. In the later stage of the pathology, the range of motion decreases sharply, and the person involuntarily tries to remove the sore leg, so the gait is disturbed and limp occurs;
3. Pain caused by long-term physical exertion, pain syndrome persists after the joint is completely destroyed;
4. Changes in the weather or hypothermia in the legs will cause pain;
5. Periodic swelling of the affected area, inflammation of the joints, hyperemia, and hot skin to the touch;
6. When the feet are moving, you hear crunching sounds, which are the result of lack of synovial fluid and bone deformities in the joints;
7. Gradually, the degenerative process spreads to the tissues around the joints, forming dense cysts in the muscles;
8. Calluses on the soles of the feet;
9. A person intuitively will not cause muscle atrophy and blood circulation to decrease due to leg soreness;
10. Foot joint disease is accompanied by rapid fatigue of the legs after standing for a long time or walking a short distance in one place.

Lack of treatment can lead to the progression of the pathological process. Continuous changes in cartilage structure and joint structure will lead to the appearance of characteristic clinical manifestations.

diagnosis

X-ray technology is of decisive importance in diagnosing problems. In medicine, the X-ray stage classification of the foot joints is used, which was proposed in 1961 by a doctor of medicine, a professor, and a leading expert in the diagnosis of osteoarthropathy. It includes three stages:

• Initially, the X-ray film recorded a slight narrowing of the joint space, which was only noticeable when compared with healthy joints, and weakly expressed lesions of articular cartilage;
• The stage of significant change-the reduction of the joint space is clearly visible because it is twice or more smaller than normal. The destruction of cartilage tissue shows obvious characteristics where the joint bears the greatest load;
• Stage of significant change-X-rays show complete destruction of the cartilage covering of the bones. There is almost no joint space, the bone tissues of the joints are in contact with each other, they are completely overlapped, the surface is deformed, and the bone growth is obvious. This stage is called osteoarthritis of the foot, in which the motor function of the foot joints is severely impaired.

This technique is still used when a person undergoes medical and social examinations to establish a disability group. According to another radiological classification of arthropathy proposed by Kellgren Lawrence in 1957.

In addition to X-rays, modern instruments are used to diagnose foot joints. Ultrasound examinations and computed tomography scans of the foot joints can provide additional information about the condition of the bones, cartilage, and tissues surrounding the joints in the affected area.

Treatment of foot joint disease

It must be said right away that treatment can only be carried out in consultation with a doctor. Some careless patients improperly treat foot joint disease at home, which will only aggravate the course of the disease and delay recovery.

In the treatment of foot joint disease, complex procedures are used, including conservative and surgical techniques. Conservative methods include:

1. Medications-analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, topical and injections, cartilage protectors injected into the joints;
2. Physiotherapy-ultraviolet radiation, high-frequency current therapy, shock wave therapy, therapeutic exercises and massage, mud application, mineral bath;
3. Spa treatment.

A particular problem is the treatment of foot facet joint joint disease. Finger deformities and bends with foot joint disease develop very quickly, hinder walking and cause painful corns and calluses. Experts recommend changing to more comfortable shoes to prevent this bending, and contact an orthopedic surgeon who will help you choose orthopedic insoles and special splints that hold your toes in the correct position.

In the third stage of foot joint deformity, it is too late to take medicine and perform physical therapy, because treatment of foot joint disease with medicine at this stage can no longer produce a lasting positive effect. First, the perichondrium is completely destroyed, and then the bone tissue of the joint. In addition, one of the consequences of foot joint disease is spinal pathology (curved, herniated disc) due to persistent disturbances in posture and gait.

In order to restore the normal movement function of the joints, surgical treatment is used. This can be surgery to remove cartilage remnants, artificially close the joint to fix it to prevent further destruction of bones, and partially replace the joint tissue with artificial joint tissue. A thorough treatment method involves the complete replacement of the joint with an endoprosthesis. But all these operations can only be performed through one large joint-the ankle.

Lifestyle changes

The patient needs to reconsider some of his habits in daily life, these habits will lead to the development of foot joint disease. Without this, medical treatment will not produce the desired effect. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs will only eliminate the symptoms of the disease, but the pathological process itself will progress.

The first focus of lifestyle changes is to reduce the pressure on diseased joints. First, the load on the joints must be reduced to prevent the progression of the disease and stabilize the process. This can be achieved by changing certain habits and lifestyles.

The most important rules for reducing foot load are as follows:

• Avoid walking for a long time;
• Walk and rest alternately for 5 minutes;
• Do not stand in one place for a long time (the static load of the affected joint is much less tolerated than the dynamic joint);
• It is not recommended to go up and down the stairs frequently; if possible, you should use the elevator more frequently;
• Don't bear weight
• Use crutches.

Another important point is to lose weight. As mentioned above, in obese patients, foot joint disease progresses faster due to greater pressure on the joints when walking. For treatment, it is important to determine the so-called body mass index (BMI) and try to normalize it.

Treat foot joint disease with medicine

Medications for treating foot joint disease at home are reduced to certain medications. They partly eliminate the symptoms of the disease and help improve the nutrition of the joints. The problem is that cartilage and bone deformities are difficult to repair. In most cases, surgical intervention is still required for complete correction. However, the treatment strategy depends on the stage. Before obvious changes in the joints occur, the main method is medication.

Prescription drugs can cause the development of stomach problems, manifested by erosions and ulcers of the stomach and duodenum. The risk factors for the development of complications are advanced age, past existence of peptic ulcer disease and chronic gastritis, while taking 2-3 drugs of this group at the same time.

In order to prevent deterioration, the following items are also stipulated:

• Proton pump inhibitor.
• H2 histamine receptor blocker.

In order to improve the function of joints, chondroprotective agents are used. These drugs can improve the metabolism of articular cartilage, thereby slowing down and preventing its destruction. The main components of these drugs are glycosaminoglycans and chondroitin sulfate sodium. All chondroprotective agents are used for long-term courses-from 1 month to 6 months. After resting for 2-3 months, the treatment should be repeated.

In addition to tablets, capsules and injections that have a systemic effect (on the whole body), local therapies are also used. This is due to the use of ointments and creams. In addition, some drugs are injected directly into or near the ankle. This treatment usually produces a faster, more stable effect.

For local treatment, the following methods can be used:

• Intra- and peri-articular administration of glucocorticoids;
• Intra-articular administration of hyaluronic acid preparations;
• Ointments (gels, creams) based on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are applied topically to the affected joint area.

physiotherapy

When treating patients with foot joint disease, use the following physical therapy procedures:

1. Pulse Magnetotherapy-Place sensors on both sides of the affected joint and move slowly for 5 to 10 minutes. The course includes 10 programs.
2. Application of heat transfer fluid-In this type of procedure, the temperature of the tissue exposed to the action will increase. Cartilage metabolism is activated, and its regeneration is stimulated. Application of peat mud with a temperature of up to 40 degrees, paraffin wax and ozokerite with a temperature of up to 55 degrees. This type of procedure is performed 10-15 times, each time 20 minutes.
3. Electrophoresis-Lidocaine, Analgin, Sodium Salicylate. The exposure time is 20 minutes per day. The course includes 15 programs.
4. Ultrasound-Hydrocortisone, Analgin. Each affected joint lasts for 5 minutes. The treatment process includes 10 procedures.
5. Infrared radiation-on the painful joint every day for 5-8 minutes for 10 days.

gymnastics

In the acute phase of foot joint disease of the lower extremities, the legs are in a static state. However, once the pain is relieved, exercise therapy must be started.

Exercises for foot joint disease can be done at home:

• Pull the socks from your side to you alternately;
• Use your thumb to make circular motions;
• Squeeze the toes as tightly as possible, and loosen them vigorously at the same time;
• Try to pick up small objects from the floor with your toes.

If the patient has arthropathy of the small joints of the foot, exercise therapy (exercise therapy) is considered basic. In the beginning, it’s best to study with your tutor-he will tell you what to do and how to do it

Wear special shoes

With the complex treatment of foot joint disease, doctors recommend continuing to wear special shoes. It is now easy to find orthopedic boots, shoes and even slippers for sale.

The specially designed instep support and insole support the foot in the required position and increase the shock absorption effect when walking. At the same time, the brace and additional inserts fix the ankle to prevent further deformation of articular cartilage and the development of toe joint disease.

Folk remedies

The following folk remedies are the most effective in treating and preventing joint diseases:

• Compressed potatoes. They are mainly used to relieve swelling and soreness in the affected joint area. Wash the potatoes thoroughly and chop them without peeling them. Then throw it into warm water (40-50 degrees) and soak for a few minutes. The resulting lump was wrapped in cloth and applied to the affected joint twice a day.
• Angelica root bath. Angelica root is crushed and wrapped in cloth (gauze is folded several times). For 5 liters of water, 250-300 grams of roots are required. Put the fabric in a bowl of hot water and wait for the water to cool to 30-40 degrees. After that, take a foot bath for 10 to 15 minutes. In this case, the pouch will not be removed.
• Fir oil. Rub the fir oil thoroughly into the affected joint area twice a day. For best results, it is recommended to apply a warm compress before applying the ointment.
• Garlic juice. Grind a few cloves of young garlic to a paste and add vegetable oil. Before going to bed, apply the resulting mixture thinly on the painful joints and wrap them with a bandage.
• Acerola balsam. This tool helps to improve the metabolism of cartilage tissue and delay joint deformation. When preparing the balsam, pour 50 grams of needles into 2 liters of boiling water. The mixture is boiled on low heat for 15 to 20 minutes. In this case, you can add a teaspoon of garlic juice, mashed rose hips, and chopped licorice root. Soak the broth in a thermos for 18-20 hours. After that, filter with cheesecloth and cool in the refrigerator. Drink 0. 5-1 liter a day for a week.
• Ointment from hops and St. John's wort. When preparing the ointment, thoroughly grind 10 grams of washed herb St. John's wort and hops. Add 50 g of petroleum jelly to the resulting slurry and stir well until a homogeneous substance is obtained. Apply the ointment to the joint area twice a day.

It is recommended that people at risk of foot joint disease use the above methods. First, these are patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritic diseases. As a preventive measure, the elderly, athletes, and patients with ankle fractures or sprains can also use these recipes.

Operation

Foot joint disease refers to a chronic condition that gradually develops and exacerbates the degenerative process. In the third stage of the disease, the disease is so obvious that the cartilage tissue is completely destroyed and cannot be recovered by medication. To eliminate deformation, severe pain, and restore walking ability, only surgical methods can be used. The remaining treatments are ineffective.

Modern types of surgical interventions:

1. Arthroscopy. The arthroscopy is inserted into the joint cavity-this is a special device that allows you to examine the joint from the inside. The doctor removes all foreign bodies from the synovial fluid: shed cartilage particles, bones, or blood clots. Manipulation can reduce the severity of pain, but it can only provide temporary relief. The pain will recover within 6-12 months. Mainly used for young people;
2. Arthrodesis. During the operation, the remaining cartilage is removed and the joint is fixed in one place. Gradually, the bones fuse at a given location, so rigidity appears. The joints are completely eliminated, which leads to immobilization of the feet, but eliminates pain, inflammation and walking ability, although the quality of exercise is still low. This technique is rarely used;
3. Endoprosthesis. It is only used in the third stage of the disease, when there is almost no cartilage left. The method consists in the implantation of implants. Its service life can reach 10-15 years, depending on the type of material used. The endoprosthesis can fully restore your quality of life.

Is it possible to completely cure foot joint disease?

It is believed that it is impossible to completely deal with foot joint disease. The damaged cartilage no longer grows. The purpose of all treatments is to maintain the current state of the joints and maintain the state of the joints in the same way as the patient visits.

The doctor can only stop this process, but cannot restore the tissue. If you follow the recommendations, the patient will not feel restricted movement, only unfavorable external factors or ignoring the doctor's advice can make people feel uncomfortable legs again.

Prevention and complications

To rule out the appearance of unpleasant diseases, you must follow simple rules. One of them is a healthy lifestyle. Prevention of joint disease requires:

• Reduce the amount of salt you eat;
• Organize proper nutrition;
• Limit excessive physical activity;
• Get rid of excess weight;
• Enhance immunity, eliminate inflammation and infectious diseases.

Methods to prevent the development of joint disease include:

• Avoid injuries to lower limbs;
• Exclude hypothermia in the legs;
• Self massage on the soles of the feet;
• Comfortable shoes with soft soles and orthopedic insoles;
• Eliminate high heels;
• Perform foot joint gymnastics;
• Walk barefoot on the grass and the beach;
• Treat inflammatory diseases in time.

The disease may be complicated by pathologies such as arthritis, foot bursitis, and inflammation of the periarticular bursae. Foot arthropathy causes deformity of the toes, and when neglected, it becomes the cause of foot fixation and patient disability.

forecast

The early diagnosis of foot joint disease is timely, the treatment options are appropriate, and the prognosis is good. Although the destruction of cartilage is irreversible, it can prevent the pathology from developing further along with the destruction of joints. Advanced arthropathy has a poor prognosis and loss of foot function. Disability can only be avoided by destroying the joint with artificial joint replacement.