The team at Ohio Foot and Ankle Center strives to help patients in Canton, Stow, and Rittman, Ohio, enjoy active, healthy lives. Aaron Chokan, DPM, and Kristina Minniti, DPM, offer highly personalized diagnostic and treatment services for all types of foot and ankle issues, including arthritis.
Arthritis is an incredibly common disease that affects hundreds of thousands of Americans. The condition can develop in any of your joints, including those in your feet and ankles. You might be surprised to learn that the appearance and position of your big toe could be a predictor of future arthritis.
Arthritis is an inflammatory joint condition that can develop at any position in the body where two bones meet (your joints). There are several different types of arthritis, all of which share some common symptoms like swelling, pain, and limited range of motion.
While you can develop arthritis at any age, your risk level rises as you move through middle age and beyond. That’s because your joints go through significant strain and wear and tear throughout your life. Some people are also genetically predisposed to arthritis.
Some people who develop arthritis only experience mild symptoms and can continue their daily routines without disruption. For many others, arthritis creates serious challenges, including significant pain and joint stiffness.
Arthritis often creates changes in joint alignment, and these changes can develop even before you notice pain or problems with joint mobility. So knowing what to look for can help you identify arthritis in the early stages.
One of the biggest indicators of developing toe arthritis is a change in the direction your big toe points. You might notice that your big toe is beginning to curve inward toward your other toes, or outward away from your other toes.
Some people notice a “bump” on the top of their toes, which can eventually worsen and give their toes a claw-like shape. This is a common sign of rheumatoid arthritis and might also lead to calluses or ulcers where their toes make contact with their shoes.
It’s also possible for an arthritic toe to look like a bunion. This usually presents as a bony bump or protrusion from the side of your foot at the base of your big toe.
You know your body better than anyone and know when something has changed. If you’re concerned about changes in the position of your big toe, coming in for a diagnostic exam is the best way to find answers.
Some conditions only need to be monitored over time and don’t require immediate intervention. In other cases, treatment could be as simple as changing your footwear, adding custom orthotics, or wearing a special splint or brace.
If you need more advanced treatment, you have access to highly skilled surgical specialists and state-of-the-art technology.
Whether your toe position is a sign of arthritis, bunions, fracture, or another foot health condition, the Ohio Foot and Ankle Center team can help you determine your next steps. Scheduling a visit is quick and easy; you can choose between booking online or over the phone.
