Most people have heard about arthritis and the pain that accompanies it. There is aching, throbbing, stiff joints that just don’t seem to get any relief. Many of these people associate arthritis with aging. But did you know there is more to arthritis than your age? People of all ages can suffer from arthritis for a multitude of reasons not just due to their age.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is the inflammation and swelling of the joint lining and cartilage. Think of it like a permanent bruise located in your joints. It can affect any joint in the body, but typically the feet and ankles are more susceptible to arthritis. This is because we put so much strain and pressure on our feet and ankles every day. We use them more than most other body parts. We use them to walk, run, jog, jump, hop, skip, dance, ski, bike. The list goes on and on. It’s pretty easy to see why our feet and ankle joints start to ache after a while.

Arthritis can affect all or some of the 33 joints that we have in our feet in ankles. Pinning down exactly which joint or joints can be tricky due to the amounts located in our feet and ankles. It is important to see a podiatrist like Dr. Joseph Stuto, in order to diagnosis the exact area the arthritis is affecting.

Age isn’t just a number when it comes to arthritis, but it is not the only deciding factor either. People who are aged 50 and older are indeed more susceptible to arthritis. They have lived longer than those younger than them and have put more mileage, stress, and pressure on their feet. Over time the wear and tear ruins the joints and cartilage and can cause arthritis. Genetics can also play a role in who ends up with arthritis though. If your family has a history of arthritis, it is likely that you and your kin will also suffer from the disorder. Age and genetics aren’t the only key players in the causes of arthritis. Those who have received trauma to their feet and ankles can also get arthritis due to the trauma. Athletic injuries, car accidents, and other traumas can cause arthritis in just about anyone at any age. 

Arthritis cannot be cured but it can be managed. At Joseph Stuto, DPM in Brooklyn, New York, we can help create a treatment plan that is right for you and your pain. Call 718-624-7537 or make an appointment online. “At Dr. Stuto’s, we believe that a foot doctor and patient become a team for treating an individual’s feet.”