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Ankle Arthritis Specialist

Eugene Stautberg, MD

General Orthopedic Surgeon & Foot and Ankle Specialist located in Pearland, TX

As you grow older, the effects of arthritis can emerge in the joints of your feet and ankles. At his Houston, Sugar Land, Baytown & Pearland, TX orthopedic practice, Eugene Stautberg, MD offers comprehensive diagnostics and treatment options for managing the pain and limitations of arthritis, including minimally invasive surgery to replace joints damaged by arthritis. To learn more about available treatments for foot and ankle arthritis, schedule an appointment online or by calling Dr. Stautberg’s office directly.

Ankle Arthritis Q & A

What is ankle arthritis?

Arthritis is a chronic condition that affects how your bones and ligaments work together to keep your body flexible. This condition commonly causes persistent pain and stiffness in your joints.

When arthritis affects your feet and ankles, it can result in ongoing pain and make it difficult to walk or stand for periods of time. Severe arthritis can even limit your mobility and affect your overall quality of life.

Several types of arthritis can affect your feet and ankles. Most commonly, osteoarthritis is responsible for the pain and swelling of joints in the toes, feet, and ankles. This condition is the result of wear and tear of your joint cartilage that happens more frequently as you age.

Often, old traumatic injuries to the ankle or foot can lead to arthritis.

Other types of inflammatory arthritis affecting your ankles and feet include:

  • Gout
  • Lupus
  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

If left untreated, arthritis of the foot and ankle can lead to chronic pain and deformities in your great toe, foot, and ankle, making it difficult to walk without pain.

How is ankle arthritis diagnosed?

To confirm a diagnosis of arthritis, Dr. Stautberg may request imaging tests, such as a CT scan, MRI, or X-ray. These noninvasive tests can help him determine what type of arthritis you have and how much of your joint it affects.

If Dr. Stautberg determines you have arthritis, he customizes a treatment plan to help improve your mobility and alleviate your pain.

What treatment options are available for arthritis?

Treatment may involve a prescription or over-the-counter medications to keep you comfortable. Joint injections can also offer you long-term relief of pain and swelling.

If you have limited flexibility in the affected joints, Dr. Stautberg may recommend physical therapy to improve your range of motion. You may also need to use a brace for extra support in your ankles and inserts to support the joints in your feet.

If these treatments don’t relieve your pain or improve movement in your ankle, Dr. Stautberg may recommend surgery. Depending on your needs, he may use minimally invasive surgery to clear arthritis from your affected joint.

In cases of arthritis of the great toe, Dr. Stautberg uses a number of treatment options tailored to the patient. Options include a cheilectomy, where large bone spurs are removed. More advanced arthritis may require new 'interposition arthroplasty' techniques or a fusion.

Learn more about treating arthritis in your foot or ankle by scheduling an appointment online or by phone.