Foot & Ankle Care at Eva Hospital
Foot & Ankle Arthritis Treatment in Ludhiana, Punjab
Evaluation and Treatment for Pain, Stiffness & Walking Difficulty
Is ankle pain making it difficult to walk, climb stairs, stand for long hours, or enjoy everyday activities? Foot and ankle arthritis can gradually destroy the smooth cartilage inside your joints, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of mobility.
At Eva Hospital, treatment for foot and ankle arthritis ranges from medication and injections to surgical procedures, including ankle replacement and ankle arthrodesis when appropriate.
Every patient undergoes a detailed clinical examination, weight-bearing X-rays, and treatment planning to determine whether joint-preserving treatment or surgery is appropriate.
Common Symptoms
Pain while walking
Morning stiffness
Swelling
Deformity
Limping
Reduced walking distance
Difficulty standing for long periods
Shoe fitting problems
Difficulty climbing stairs
Understanding the condition
What Is Foot & Ankle Arthritis?
Foot and ankle arthritis develops through a fairly predictable process: healthy cartilage that normally cushions the joint gradually wears away, leaving the underlying bones to rub directly against each other. This friction causes pain and progressive stiffness. Over time, the body may respond by forming bone spurs around the joint margins, and in advanced cases, the joint can become visibly deformed.
Types of Foot & Ankle Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Gout
Which Joints Can Develop Arthritis?
Ankle Joint
Subtalar Joint
Midfoot
Big Toe (First MTP Joint)
Forefoot
Causes
Age
Old injury
Fracture
Repeated sprains
Obesity
Inflammatory arthritis
Previous infection
Abnormal alignment
Flat feet
High arches
Diagnosis
Clinical Examination
Walking Assessment
Range of Motion
Tenderness
Weight-Bearing X-rays
CT Scan (If Required)
MRI (Selected Patients)
Non-Surgical Treatment
Physiotherapy
Weight loss
Pain relief
Ankle braces
Custom orthotics
Activity modification
Anti-inflammatory medication
Footwear modification
Steroid injections
Image-guided injections
| Treatment | Best For |
|---|---|
| Physiotherapy | Early arthritis |
| Orthotics | Midfoot arthritis |
| Ankle Brace | Mild–moderate arthritis |
| Injections | Temporary relief |
| Surgery | Advanced arthritis |
Surgical Treatment
Joint-Preserving Procedures
Ankle Arthroscopy
Ankle Replacement
Ankle Arthrodesis (Fusion)
Treatment Decision Pathway
Mild Arthritis
Conservative Care
Persistent Symptoms
Injections
Advanced Arthritis
Replacement or Fusion
Ankle Replacement vs Fusion
| Factor | Ankle Replacement | Ankle Arthrodesis (Fusion) |
|---|---|---|
| Pain Relief | Reduces pain in suitable patients | Excellent |
| Walking | May allow a more natural gait due to preserved motion | Generally good, with adjacent joints compensating for the fused ankle |
| Longevity | Implant survival is finite and may need revision over time | Once fused, the result is generally permanent |
| Motion | Preserves ankle joint motion | Eliminates motion at the fused joint |
| Revision | May need revision over time, depending on patient factors | Further surgery is less commonly needed for the fused joint itself; adjacent joints may be affected over many years |
| Recovery | Structured, protected rehabilitation with a focus on regaining motion | Focused on protecting the fusion until the bones heal together |
| Ideal Patient | Older, lower-demand patients with good bone quality and alignment | Younger, active, or heavy-labour patients, significant deformity, or prior infection |
Patient Education: How Arthritis Progresses
Healthy Joint
Early Arthritis
Moderate Arthritis
Advanced Arthritis
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Cartilage damage from arthritis does not regrow or reverse on its own, but symptoms may be managed, and progression can sometimes be slowed with appropriate treatment.
Not necessarily. Many patients manage well long-term with activity modification, orthotics, physiotherapy, medication and injections. Surgery is considered when conservative treatment no longer controls symptoms.
After ankle fusion, arthritis cannot return in the fused joint itself, though adjacent joints can develop arthritis over many years. After ankle replacement, the joint remains mobile and can theoretically wear over time.
Many patients walk with an improved pattern after appropriate treatment, whether conservative or surgical. Results vary
This depends heavily on the treatment — recovery from injections or physiotherapy is measured in weeks, while recovery from ankle replacement or fusion surgery typically takes several months.
Many patients successfully avoid or delay surgery for years with consistent conservative treatment, particularly with early or mild arthritis.
Ankle replacement implants have a finite lifespan and may eventually require revision, though implants may last many years in appropriately selected patients.
Yes, each ankle is assessed and treated on its own merits; both can be treated, though usually not simultaneously.
Low-impact range-of-motion and strengthening exercises, guided by a physiotherapist, are generally most helpful; high-impact activity is usually best modified.
Yes. Post-traumatic arthritis is one of the most common causes of ankle arthritis and can develop years after a fracture, even one that healed well at the time.
Postoperative discomfort is expected and managed with pain medication; many patients experience reduced pain once the fusion has healed. Results vary.
Many patients are able to climb stairs after healing and rehabilitation, whether after replacement or fusion. Results vary
Supportive, well-fitted footwear is generally recommended; some patients benefit from a rocker-sole shoe or custom orthotic insert, particularly after ankle fusion.
Arthritis that develops as a consequence of a previous injury to the ankle — commonly a fracture, repeated sprains, or an untreated ligament injury — rather than simple age-related wear.
Weight-bearing X-rays are usually the most important first study, since they show the joint under the load it experiences during standing and walking, and reveal joint space loss and deformity clearly.
Not always. MRI is reserved for selected patients where additional information about cartilage, ligaments or bone is needed beyond what X-rays and CT provide.
Replacement preserves ankle joint motion using an implant, while fusion permanently joins the bones together, eliminating motion at that joint. The choice depends on age, activity level, bone quality, alignment and preferences.
Living With Foot or Ankle Arthritis?
Consult the Orthopaedics Department at Eva Hospital, Pakhowal Road, Ludhiana