Arthritis and Podiatric Medicine: Walking Hand-in-Hand

Dr. Dennis R. Frisch

30 SE 7th Street

Boca Raton, FL 33432

561-395-4243

www.bocaratonpodiatry.com

Arthritis Facts• Arthritis in one form or another afflicts 66

million Americans or nearly 1 in 3 adults– 42.7 million Americans have doctor-diagnosed

arthritis and 23.2 million others live with chronic joint symptoms but have not been diagnosed by a doctor

• Doctors of podiatric medicine are often the first to diagnose arthritis because the feet have 33 joints that can be affected, and there is often pain associated with weight-bearing

Arthritis Facts

• Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems and the nation’s leading cause of disability among Americans over age 15.

• Arthritis is second only to heart disease as a cause of work disability.

• Arthritis limits everyday activities such as walking, dressing and bathing for more than 7 million Americans.

Arthritis Facts

• Arthritis results in 39 million physician visits and more than a half million hospitalizations.

• Costs to the U.S. economy total more than $86.2 billion annually.

• Arthritis affects people in all age groups including nearly 300,000 children.

• Baby boomers are now at prime risk. More than half those affected are under age 65.

Definition of Arthritis

• Arthritis is inflammation and swelling of the cartilage and lining of the joints, generally accompanied by an increase of fluid in the joints.

• Often arthritis is a component of complex diseases that may involve more than 100 identifiable disorders.

Causes of Arthritis

• Hereditary tendencies• Age (arthritis often targets those over 50)• Trauma or injury (athletes and industrial

workers at higher risk) • Bacterial or viral infections that strike

joints• In conjunction with inflammatory bowel

diseases• Use of prescription or illegal street drugs• Possible congenital autoimmune

association

Types of Arthritis - Osteoarthritis

• Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis

• Often called degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis

• Onset is generally gradual (i.e., the aging process causes a breakdown in cartilage)

• Pain usually progresses, but rest can relieve pain

• Characterized by dull, throbbing nighttime pain with accompanied muscle weakness or deterioration

• Particularly seen in the feet when patients are overweight due to the deterioration of cartilage and development of bone spurs

Types of Arthritis – Rheumatoid (RA)

• Rheumatoid arthritis is the most serious and crippling

• Complex, chronic inflammatory system of diseases, often affecting more than a dozen smaller joints, usually in a symmetrical fashion

• Characterized by lengthy morning stiffness, fatigue and weight loss

Types of Arthritis – Rheumatoid (RA)

• Can affect eyes, lungs, heart and nervous system

• Women are 3-4 times more likely than men to suffer

• More acute onset than osteoarthritis• Intermittent periods of remission and

exacerbation• Resultant joint deformity and loss of

motion

Types of Arthritis - Gout

• Gout is caused by a buildup of the salts of uric acid (a normal byproduct of the diet) in the joints. It can also be caused by metabolic disorders in the kidney

• Most commonly affects the great toe joint in the foot but can affect any joint in the foot including the ankle

• Extreme acute onset of intense pain without injury

• Men are much more likely to be afflicted than women

• Perhaps hereditary, but usually due to a diet rich in red meat, sauces, shellfish, liquor and fatty foods

Symptoms of Arthritis

• You should visit your podiatrist if you have one or more of the following: – Swelling in one or more joints– Recurring pain or tenderness in any

joint– Redness or heat in a joint– Limitation of motion in joint– Early morning stiffness– Skin changes, including rashes and

growths

Diagnosis of Arthritis

• Early diagnosis is important since destruction of cartilage is not reversible

• Your podiatrist or primary care physician can diagnose arthritis by:– History and clinical exam– When suspected, the doctor can

administer blood tests

Treatment of Arthritis• While there is no cure, the management

of inflammation is the key• Patient education• Physical therapy and exercise• Medication• Control of foot function with orthotics or

braces • Prescription shoes for those with fit issues• Surgical intervention with possible joint

replacement as a last resort

Treatment of Arthritis

• Because the foot is where arthritis often manifests, the DPM is often the first physician to encounter some of the typical complaints

• Since arthritic feet can result in loss of mobility and independence, frequent visits to the podiatrist can help avoid this with early diagnosis and proper medical care

Arthritis is manageable

• By working with your podiatric physician and your primary care doctor, you can treat and manage arthritis. The key is to seek care and follow up periodically to manage your care with all your doctors.