Rheumatoid Arthritis
Another problematic cause of ankle pain is rheumatoid arthritis, a condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body parts. It’s similar to an allergic reaction, where foreign substances that pose no risk are attacked by the body — whereas others experience nothing. Rheumatoid arthritis goes explicitly after the joints, ankles included. The interesting thing about such a condition is if one ankle is affected, the other ankle experiences the same thing. During bouts of rheumatoid arthritis, the pain and swelling can start from the toes, moving through the feet and eventually to the ankle. In the case of such a condition, the doctor can recommend various treatments to help ease the symptoms.
One of the most common is physical therapy, which is known to help alleviate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Pain relief medication is also crucial; the doctor might prescribe special shoes. Unfortunately, rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that can lower the quality of life if left unchecked. The condition has also been linked to higher diabetes and heart disease rates. Fortunately, the correct treatment can help alleviate symptoms and improve the overall quality of life.
