Expert Ankle Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC
Persistent ankle pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty walking may be signs of ankle rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition that can progressively damage the joints if left untreated. Early diagnosis and comprehensive care are essential for managing symptoms, preserving joint function, and maintaining mobility.
Blake Ohlson, M.D. is a board-certified orthopedic and regenerative medicine specialist providing comprehensive ankle rheumatoid arthritis treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC. He evaluates patients experiencing inflammatory joint pain and develops individualized treatment plans designed to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, improve mobility, and slow joint damage. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment may include medications, bracing, physical therapy, injections, regenerative medicine options when appropriate, or advanced surgical procedures for severe joint degeneration.
Whether you're newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis or seeking relief from chronic ankle pain, Dr. Ohlson provides personalized orthopedic care focused on helping you stay active and improve your quality of life.
Whether your arthritis developed gradually with age or following a previous foot or ankle injury, Dr. Ohlson is committed to helping you reduce pain, improve mobility, and return to the activities you enjoy.
What is Ankle Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Arthritis is inflammation in a joint as a result of cartilage degeneration causing joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and restricted movement. Arthritis of the foot and ankle joint can occur due to fractures, dislocation, inflammatory disease, or congenital deformity. The foot joints most commonly affected by arthritis are:
- The joint between the shinbone (tibia) and ankle bone (talus)
- The three joints of the foot that include the heel bone, the inner mid-foot bone, and the outer mid-foot bone
- The joint of the great toe and foot bone
Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease in which the body’s immune system (the body’s way of fighting infection) attacks its own healthy joints, tissues, and organs. It can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis affects mostly joints of the hands and feet and tends to be symmetrical. This means the disease affects the same joints on both sides of the body (ex. both feet) at the same time and with the same symptoms.
Causes of Ankle Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is often caused when the genes responsible for the disease are triggered by infection or environmental factors. With this trigger, the body’s defense mechanism produces antibodies against the joint which may lead to rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms of Ankle Rheumatoid Arthritis
Symptoms of ankle rheumatoid arthritis include difficulty climbing stairs and with inclines. With the progress of the disease, even simple standing and walking becomes painful.
Diagnosis of Ankle Rheumatoid Arthritis
The diagnosis of ankle rheumatoid arthritis is made with a medical history, physical examination and X-rays of the affected joint. A bone scan, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are also performed to make a diagnosis.
Treatment Options for Ankle Rheumatoid Arthritis
Non-surgical treatment options for ankle rheumatoid arthritis include rest, application of ice, medications (anti-inflammatories), injections (steroids), orthotics, or braces to support the joints.
Surgery may be required if your symptoms do not improve with conservative treatments. Ankle joint replacement and ankle fusion are two surgeries for treating ankle rheumatoid arthritis. In ankle joint replacement, your surgeon removes the damaged ankle joint and replaces it with an artificial implant. The goal of ankle replacement is to relieve pain and restore normal joint function. Ankle fusion is the procedure of fusing two bones to make one bone. This limits joint motion, thereby reducing pain.
Why Choose Dr. Blake Ohlson for Ankle Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mount Pleasant, SC?
Managing rheumatoid arthritis requires specialized orthopedic care that addresses both joint damage and long-term function. Dr. Blake Ohlson provides individualized treatment plans based on the extent of joint involvement, symptom severity, activity level, and personal goals.
Patients throughout Mount Pleasant, SC, choose Dr. Ohlson because he offers:
- Comprehensive evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis affecting the ankle
- Expertise in both conservative and surgical treatment options
- Personalized treatment plans focused on pain relief and improved mobility
- Advanced imaging and diagnostic evaluation for accurate assessment
- Joint-preserving treatments whenever appropriate
- Experience with ankle replacement and ankle fusion for advanced arthritis
- Patient-centered care focused on long-term joint health and quality of life
Dr. Ohlson works closely with patients to develop treatment strategies that help reduce pain, preserve mobility, and support an active lifestyle.
Ankle Rheumatoid Arthritis FAQs
What is ankle rheumatoid arthritis?
Ankle rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the ankle joint. Over time, this can cause inflammation, cartilage damage, pain, stiffness, and loss of joint function.
What causes rheumatoid arthritis in the ankle?
The exact cause is not fully understood. Rheumatoid arthritis is believed to result from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers that activate the immune system.
What are the symptoms of ankle rheumatoid arthritis?
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent ankle pain
- Swelling
- Joint stiffness
- Difficulty walking
- Pain when climbing stairs or walking on inclines
- Decreased range of motion
- Progressive loss of mobility
How is ankle rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically includes a detailed medical history, physical examination, imaging studies such as X-rays, MRI, CT scans, or bone scans, and may also involve laboratory testing performed by your healthcare team to evaluate for rheumatoid arthritis.
Can ankle rheumatoid arthritis be treated without surgery?
Yes. Many patients benefit from conservative treatment that may include anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, custom orthotics, supportive braces, corticosteroid injections, activity modification, and coordinated medical management of rheumatoid arthritis.
When is surgery recommended?
Surgery may be considered when conservative treatments no longer provide adequate pain relief or when joint damage significantly limits walking and daily activities. Common procedures include ankle replacement or ankle fusion.
What is the difference between ankle replacement and ankle fusion?
Ankle replacement removes the damaged joint and replaces it with an artificial implant to preserve movement. Ankle fusion permanently joins the bones together, eliminating painful motion while improving joint stability.
Can rheumatoid arthritis affect both ankles?
Yes. Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects joints symmetrically, meaning both ankles or both feet may develop similar symptoms over time.
Schedule an Ankle Rheumatoid Arthritis Evaluation in Mount Pleasant, SC
If ankle pain, swelling, or stiffness is limiting your mobility, early evaluation can help preserve joint function and improve long-term outcomes.
Dr. Blake Ohlson provides comprehensive ankle rheumatoid arthritis treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC, offering personalized care ranging from conservative therapies to advanced reconstructive surgery when appropriate.
Contact our office today to schedule an evaluation and learn more about your options for managing rheumatoid arthritis and maintaining an active lifestyle.