Foot Arthritis: Expert Diagnosis and Care

This cartilage allows smooth, pain-free movement. In the case of arthritis, it thins and deteriorates over time. When this protection disappears, the bones come into closer contact, leading to pain, stiffness and everyday functional impairment.

When arthritis affects the big toe, the condition is more precisely termed hallux rigidus — a specific form of foot arthritis characterised by a loss of mobility centred on the big toe.

Foot arthrosis can appear gradually with age, but also as a result of previous trauma, foot deformities or mechanical overloading from intense, repetitive activities. When sufficiently advanced, it can significantly affect quality of life, making walking, everyday activities and wearing shoes difficult.

The diagnosis is confirmed by imaging, most commonly weight-bearing X-rays (taken standing). These reveal cartilage loss, narrowing of the joint space and any bony spurs (osteophytes).

Depending on the situation, supplementary investigations (MRI, bone scan, CT arthrography) may be requested to refine the analysis.

At the end of this assessment, the surgeon specialising in foot conditions establishes a precise, personalised diagnosis. This is essential for determining the most appropriate treatment strategy, whether medical or surgical.

With International Elite Care, this step can begin remotely via video consultation, making it straightforward for international patients to connect with an expert.

Foot Arthritis Symptoms: What to Look For

The main symptoms are:

• Joint stiffness, particularly on rising or after a period of inactivity,
• Localised swelling around the affected joint,
• Mechanical pain on exertion that eases at rest,
• Cracking or grinding sensations during movement,
• Osteophytes (bony spurs), often visible or palpable,
• Progressive deformities of the foot or toes.

These clinical signs can impair walking, shoe-wearing, and everyday comfort. Arthritis foot pain may also be associated with certain deformities, such as hallux valgus or a claw-toe deformity of the second toe. Arthritis on top of foot often presents as stiffness and aching across the midfoot, especially when you first stand up or walk after resting.

Foot Degenerative Arthritis: Risk Factors

The causes of foot degenerative arthritis are multiple and vary from patient to patient. Among the most commonly identified factors are:

• age-related joint wear,
• genetic predisposition,
• repeated micro-trauma or previous injuries (particularly sporting),
• certain inflammatory conditions,
• a sedentary lifestyle,
• occupations involving significant physical demands.

Identifying signs of arthritis in the foot early allows the patient to be referred for specialist assessment and appropriate management, helping preserve mobility and quality of life.

It is important to emphasise that, to date, no natural or pharmaceutical treatment can restore worn cartilage. Non-surgical options therefore aim primarily to control the manifestations of the disease.

The main non-surgical treatment options are:

• Footwear adaptation,
• Custom orthotic insoles (plantar orthoses),
• Intra-articular injections (often corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid based),
• Pain-relief and anti-inflammatory medication.

These approaches can be effective at the early or moderate stages, but they do not permanently halt the progression of arthritis.

This procedure delivers lasting pain relief, at the cost of a loss of mobility in the affected joint. Fortunately, this loss is generally well compensated by the other joints of the foot.

Post-Operative Course After Foot Arthrodesis

After a foot arthrodesis, time must be allowed for the operated bones to fuse, the consolidation process. This typically takes an average of 45 days.

In rare cases, if fusion has not been achieved after approximately six months (a condition known as pseudarthrosis), a further procedure may be considered.

When bone quality is insufficient or there is a loss of bone substance, a bone graft may be performed to promote consolidation, either autologous, heterologous or using innovative laboratory-produced materials.

During convalescence, the foot is protected by an offloading shoe with a rigid sole, worn for several weeks. Weight-bearing is most often partial or deferred to allow proper bony fusion.

Rehabilitation exercises are carried out to optimise walking, strengthen the muscles and preserve mobility in the neighbouring joints.

The return to activities is progressive, under medical supervision, with a timeframe that varies according to the procedure performed and the patient’s profile.