The different types of arthritis which could affect human beings make the job of a doctor all the more difficult. Rheumatoid foot and ankle is one of the types of arthritis that affects a great number of the people. The disease is often caused by Rheumatoid arthritis that eventually spreads to the foot and ankle. Studies indicate that nearly 90% of the patients suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis eventually develop the condition of Rheumatoid foot and ankle.
Causes
Though the cause of the disease of Rheumatoid arthritis is not known, some theories have been floated by the medical fraternity regarding it. A genetic defect is often associated with the problem of Rheumatoid arthritis. But the genetic defect does not trigger the problem and just makes the person vulnerable to the risk of developing the condition. The triggers which lead to the onset of Rheumatoid arthritis could be chemical or environmental.
Symptoms of Rheumatoid foot and ankle
The patients suffering from the disease exhibit symptoms like pain, swelling as well as stiffness in the foot. Those are the primary symptoms of the problem of Rheumatoid arthritis of the foot and ankle. The joints on the feet could get affected by the problem leading to a great deal of pain.
Some of the other symptoms of the disease include arched bottom foot or flat foot, fever, loss of appetite and fatigue.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of the disease is done on the basis of past medical history of the patient and, various medical test and examinations. The patient is also examined by the doctor for the common symptoms of Rheumatoid foot and ankle. X-ray and blood tests are also recommended by the doctor for determining the extent of damage done to the joints and for detecting anemia, respectively.
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Treatment
The doctors suggest various medications for the purpose of reducing the pain in the foot. Certain exercises also help in controlling the pain brought on by the disease. Some of the medicines used for treating Rheumatoid foot and ankle are aspirin, ibuprofen, methotrexate, prednisone and sulfasalazine. For reducing the swelling and inflammation of the foot and ankle, the patient could also be injected with a steroid medication.
Special kind of shoes needs to be worn by the patient suffering from the problem of Rheumatoid foot and ankle. Physical therapy is a must for the patients to recover from the disease in the best possible manner. Surgery is also one of the methods of treatment used for tackling the medical problem that affects the foot and the ankle.
arthritisxl.com provides an overview about Rheumatoid Foot and Ankle and other types of arthritis.
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