Osteoarthritis Of The Foot

This type of arthritis usually takes a longer time to develop and for this reason it usually is found in the older person. Nevertheless it can lead to crippling arthritis and foot deformity.

This foot osteoarthritis affects mainly the first metatarsophalangeal joint (bunion or hallux valgus), the forefoot (midtarsal osteoarthritis) or the ankle (subtalar osteoarthritis). Inappropriate footwear (high heels in women), trauma (soccer players), excessive weight gain and diabetes mellitus are all risk factors. I refer the reader to the link on osteoarthritis regarding the diagnostic tests and treatment. There is some indication that osteoarthritis may be linked to many years of exposure to high insulin levels (syndrome of insulin resistance). This has some implications regarding a possible dietary modification as avoidance of starchy foods and of sugar may have a preventative and healing influence (for literature see link on "syndrome of insulin resistance" above).

There is an FDA approved non-drug method available, IceWave patches from Lifewave, which will help to control pain. This is mentioned in the book "Breakthrough" by Suzanne Somers (Ref. 8) where newer insights of antiaging medicine are also reviewed. Although the patches are placed over acupuncture points, there are no needles involved. Nanotechnology, a newer technology, was used in the manufacturing of these patches and infrared (heat) waves from body heat are utilized to stimulate an acupuncture point, which modifies pain perception and reduces pain to half or less. Medically this would be considered an excellent pain reliever. For more info on the patches see the IceWave patches from Lifewave link above (click "products"). In the US a 5 pack of the IceWave spray is available that can be directly sprayed onto the skin in the area where the pain is located.

Heat rubs and capsaicin work in a similar fashion as heat. Corticosteroids help via the anti-inflammatory effect and often last 6 to 9 months. Hyaluronic acid (brand name: Synvisc) is usually given as a set of three injection 1 or two weeks apart. The effect, if it works, will last several months up to a year and can then be repeated again. Glucosamine sulfate has been a folk remedy for the past 15 to 20 years and has been well researched.

It has rated in many studies to be almost as powerful as the traditional anti-inflammatory medication, but without the stomach irritating side-effects. Unfortuately these studies were not always well controlled and recently a well controlled study regarding glucosamine and arthritis could not find any significant effect over the placebo effect. There will likely be newer agents developed in future and it might be possible to, for instance, match an injectable agent to what's missing in the affected joint fluid, based on joint fluid analysis. Research in this area has been slow in the past, but one of the products that has come out of it is Synvisc. Perhaps there may be more effective similar medications in future with continued research. One such alternative over-the-counter method is the use of supplemental collagen (see http://www.cr2000collagen.com/).

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Arthritis

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Disclaimer:

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

1. ABC of rheumatology, second edition, edited by Michael L. Snaith , M.D., BMJ Books, 1999. Chapter 5.

2. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 270.

3. Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics: http://www.wheelessonline.com/

4. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 60, p.487.

8. Suzanne Somers: "Breakthrough" Eight Steps to Wellness-- Life-altering Secrets from Today's Cutting-edge Doctors", Crown Publishers, 2008

Last Modified: June 15, 2009