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Boomer Generation: Foot and Ankle Arthritis

Foot and ankle surgeons say Baby Boomers are more likely than previous generations to seek care when arthritis develops in their toes, feet and ankles. That is because although they are approaching retirement ages, many are not ready to slow down.

Many Baby Boomers do not accept foot pain as a natural part of aging.  When conservative treatments fail, they want to know what other options exist.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, including gout and rheumatoid arthritis. The most common forms affecting the feet are post-traumatic and osteoarthritis, especially in the big toe, ankle and mid-foot joints.

Baby Boomers who seek treatment for arthritis assume they'll be able to resume activities such as running or playing sports. It’s true, seeking treatment early can improve the odds of preventing irreversible joint damage. For many patients with early-stage foot or ankle arthritis, changes in shoes or advanced custom orthotics can make a huge difference. While there is no fountain of youth for arthritis, surgeons say there are more medical options available to Baby Boomers than ever before.

Baby Boomers are most likely to develop osteoarthritis in their big toe joint. During walking, the big toe absorbs forces equal to nearly twice a person's body weight. It plays an important role in stooping and standing. Some boomers start to develop big toe stiffness, a condition called hallux limitus.

Better surgical procedures now offer improved pain relief and better joint movement to those with early stage arthritis at the big toe. Patients with advanced and severe arthritis may need to have the joint fused or replaced. A new generation of big toe joint replacements shows promise.

Ankles are another prime spot for arthritis. Ankles are more likely to develop post-traumatic arthritis than osteoarthritis. For many Baby Boomers, the trauma was an ankle fracture or a bad sprain that may have happened many years ago. Innovative new surgical techniques allow foot and ankle surgeons to transplant small plugs of cartilage from one part of the ankle to another, slowing joint deterioration.

Ankle replacements, however, are not as durable as hip and knee replacements. The ankle is a more challenging joint to replace. It's smaller and moves in multiple directions. However, better and more promising ankle implants are now hitting the market.

For more information, contact Dr. Joel Brook, DPM or Dr. David Northcutt.