Arthritis Symptoms
Common signs of foot and ankle arthritis include:
- Aching or tenderness in a joint, often worse after activity
- Stiffness, especially first thing in the morning or after sitting
- Swelling around the joint
- A reduced range of motion — the joint doesn’t bend like it used to
- Warmth or redness over the joint
- A grinding or clicking sensation when you move
How we treat it
Every arthritis plan starts with understanding your specific joints and how arthritis is affecting your daily life. From there, we focus on conservative care first: guidance on anti-inflammatory options, supportive footwear, and custom orthotics that cushion arthritic joints and take pressure off the sore spots. Bracing can add stability, and gentle exercises help keep joints mobile and the surrounding muscles strong.
When a joint stays inflamed despite these measures, we may recommend an injection to calm inflammation directly inside the joint. We’ll also talk through practical lifestyle adjustments — activity choices, footwear, and habits — that protect your joints over time. And if arthritis becomes advanced and conservative care is no longer enough, we’ll have an honest conversation about surgical options and connect you with the right specialist, always with your goals in mind.
When to see a doctor
- Joint pain that interferes with walking, standing, or daily activities
- Stiffness or swelling that keeps getting worse
- A joint that looks like it’s changing shape
- Sudden, severe swelling in a single joint
- A hot, red, painful joint — which needs prompt attention
You don’t have to put up with achy, stiff joints. Call Jacksonville Foot & Ankle Clinic at (904) 731-1711 or book your appointment online — we look forward to caring for you and keeping you on the move.
Learn more about arthritic conditions from Mayo Clinic