Joint stiffness, pain or tenderness, swelling and/or redness that persists for more than two weeks -- all may signal arthritis.  Any of 100 forms of arthritis can damage our bodies, especially the joints, gradually wearing away protective cartilage where the bones meet to make the joint.  The force our body weight generates on the toe and ankle joints makes them particularly susceptible to arthritis.

As cartilage erodes and bone rubs against bone, the joint becomes painful.  Movement may become limited as bone ends erode or thicken, sometimes developing painful outgrowths, or spurs.  If left untreated, damage to cartilage can seriously weaken the joints, often leading to pain and deformities.

Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis are two common forms of arthritis that affect millions of Americans, especially those over the age of 45.  

The cause of Rheumatoid arthritis, a systemic' disease that can affect the entire body, is unclear.  It is believed to result when the body produces enzymes that inflame the joints and other tissues.

Osteoarthritis, sometimes called degenerative arthritis, or referred to as joint "wear and tear," is isolated to the joints.  Pain and stiffness caused by cartilage destruction develop slowly as a result of years of everyday living.

Surgery to reconstruct the joint may be needed if arthritis causes chronic problems that cannot be controlled by medications, orthotics or physical therapy especially if: 1- Pain is constant, 2- Toe motion is limited, causing a change in natural stance or walk, 3 - Deformities such as bunions and hammertoes restrict normal activities.  While surgical care will not cure arthritis or completely restore the joint to its natural health, it will ease pain and make daily activities more manageable.  Goals of surgery are different for each individual, and should be discussed with your doctor.

Treatment
If bone on both sides of the joint is damaged, one of our podiatric surgeons may remove a small portion of cartilage and bone, then reconstruct the synovium, ligaments and tendons. This is called a resection.

Fusion or arthrodesis relieves pain by uniting the bones of the joint into a permanent, yet useful position, preventing any motion at the site. The joint may require a complete reconstruction or resection arthroplasty. Here, our podiatric surgeon removes the bone ends at the joint, corrects tendons and ligaments that may have stretched as a result of arthritis, and replaces the joint with an implant (prosthetic joint).

Implants and Foot Surgery
The choice to use an implant is made carefully, only after one of our podiatric surgeons has decided that another type of surgery would not provide as many benefits.

Implants made from silicone rubber, polyethylene (a form of plastic), or titanium are quite safe. Like other artificial body parts, implants used in the foot have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Implants for Pain Relief and Support
The narrow space separating the two bones of the joint permits movement. An implant's primary purpose is to maintain this joint space and support the toe. Because the implant replaces damaged or diseased bone and the bone's cartilage, it keeps the toe at an appropriate length. Without an implant, the toe may appear shorter. The implant helps eliminate pain, and provides stability to the previously to the previously weakened joint. A secondary purpose of an implant of an implant is to permit the toe to bend and function more freely. As the joint heals, new tissue forms around the implant, making the joint stable and the reconstruction more durable.