Juvenile Arthritis

Could arthritis be the cause of your child’s swollen feet? It’s possible. Recently, we of the Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates in Lorain discussed Sever’s disease, a common cause of foot pain in children. Since then we've felt it would be helpful to discuss another potential cause of ankle swelling in pediatric patients, and describe how it’s recognized and treated.

Juvenile arthritis is poorly understood, but we know it's an autoimmune condition. That means the body’s immune system is attacking healthy tissues, causing swelling, hot spots, and stiffness. Most cases of juvenile arthritis are oligoarticular, meaning that they only directly affect a small number of joints. However, the joint that is affected is often the ankle or knee. It is more common in girls and tends to strike during the first few years of a child’s life.

Oligoarticular arthritis is generally considered to be the most mild form of juvenile arthritis. The diagnostic process includes x-rays and blood tests for antibodies associated with autoimmune disorders. Treatment is conservative, usually consisting of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles, allowing them to better support the joints. We especially encourage low-impact exercises that will also stretch the ankle without jostling it.

Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.

 

Hallux Rigidus

Your big toe plays a major role in the balance of your foot, so it’s a serious problem if your toe is becoming less flexible. Hallux Rigidus is a term that describes arthritis in the metatarsophalangeal, or MTP joint, which connects the big toe to the rest of the foot. We at the Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates of Lorain have helped a lot of people to manage this condition, but if it’s not caught early, it can cause permanent damage.

Some people have a genetic susceptibility to cartilage damage in their feet, but loss of cartilage can be exacerbated by overuse. If a person’s ankle rolls inwards, they’ll put a lot of stress on their MTP joint. A person who suffers from gout or has a rheumatoid condition will also have damaged cartilage, and as the bones of their toes rub together, they may grow a spur. This may cause a visible bump in the top of the foot that could be mistaken for a bunion, and a patient will likely feel pain in their big toe when they push off from the ground while walking. Some people also feel more pain in damp weather.

It’s always important to wear shoes with sufficient room in the toe box, but that’s especially true if you’re experiencing MTP stiffness. If your stiffness has already progressed, you might need to wear a shoe with a rocker-shaped bottom to compensate for your big toe’s inability to help you move. We can provide nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs to reduce swelling, and can provide corticosteroid injections in more advanced cases. Many people find corrective orthotics helpful. It may also be possible for us to remove a bone spur surgically. However, patients need to see us before too much irreplaceable cartilage is lost or our options will be more limited, and it’s better to see us before spurs develop.

Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.

 

Causes of Fallen Arches

If you’ve recently felt pain in the sides of your ankles or a bump developing on the bottom of your foot, you may be in the process of developing a flat foot. While that’s hardly good news, we at the Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates of Lorain are experts at treating this condition. But flat feet can be caused by several things and treatment may vary depending on which of them is responsible, so let’s take a closer look at the causes of ankle degeneration and arch collapse.

Our feet are largely shaped by the posterior tibial tendon, so it’s one of the first things we look at when a person’s foot is getting flatter. The posterior tibial tendon stretches from the thigh to the inside of the foot, and when it frays, the arch of the foot may sag. Fraying is usually due to wear-and-tear, but it could have been the result of an acute injury. It’s also possible that a ligament that is more centrally located or in the back of the foot has frayed. Degeneration is more likely to occur when a person is suffering from diabetes, which damages the nerves and makes it difficult for someone to feel pain from injured tissues. Another potential complicating factor is arthritis, in which the cartilage supporting the ankle joints would be worn away, causing the bones to develop spurs that might also compress nerves.

It might not be possible to determine whether you have a serious structural problem with your foot just by looking at it. Some people have more flexible arches than others. But if you are in pain, or you know diabetes might prevent you from feeling pain and you suspect something is wrong, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us. We can devise a minimally invasive plan to restore your foot’s function, but the earlier you get treatment, the easier it will be.

Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.

 

National Juvenile Arthritis Month

Could arthritis be the cause of your child’s swollen feet? It’s possible. Last month, we of the Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates in Lorain discussed Sever’s disease, a common cause of foot pain in children. But since July is National Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, we felt it would be appropriate to acknowledge another possible cause of ankle swelling in pediatric patients, and describe how it’s recognized and treated.

Juvenile arthritis is poorly understood, but is an autoimmune condition. That means the body’s immune system is attacking healthy tissues, causing swelling, hot spots, and stiffness. Most cases of juvenile arthritis are oligoarticular, meaning that they only directly affect a small number of joints. However, the joint that is affected is often the ankle or knee. It is more common in girls and tends to strike during the first few years of a child’s life.

Oligoarticular arthritis is generally considered to be the mildest form of juvenile arthritis. The diagnostic process includes x-rays and blood tests for antibodies associated with autoimmune disorders. Treatment is conservative, usually consisting of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles, allowing them to better support the joints. We especially encourage low-impact exercises that will also stretch the ankle without jostling it.

Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.

Introduction to Gout

Among the many forms of arthritis, one of the most painful is gout. This condition can affect any joint, but is usually seen in the first joint of a big toe. An attack may only last for twelve hours, but they often recur. At Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain, we can help people control their symptoms, but they’ll need to make some lifestyle changes to lower their risk of future attacks.

The body contains substances called purines that, when broken down, produce uric acid. Normally, uric acid is filtered through the kidneys, but when the kidneys are overwhelmed or underperforming, uric acid will form sharp crystals. Those crystals tend to accumulate in the lower parts of the body and can cause gouty inflammation.

Gout can be controlled with injectible or orally consumed anti-inflammatory medications. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids. If a person has chronic gout attacks, they may also be prescribed drugs that affect uric acid levels. The people most at risk for gout are middle-aged men who smoke or are overweight. People may reduce their risk of gout by avoiding red meat and seafood, which are high in purines, as well as sugary drinks, which increase uric acid.

Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.