Arthritis is a common condition; in fact, it affects over 50 million adults in our country and is the number one cause of disability. There are, however, many misconceptions about arthritis as well. In honor of National Arthritis Awareness Month, we at Foot & Ankle Specialists PC want to help debunk some of the myths that persist about arthritis. With 33 joints in each of your feet, it’s important to get the facts.

Myth: Arthritis is a disease where you have pain in your joints.

Fact: Actually, arthritis is not one single disease. It is an umbrella term for over 100 conditions and diseases that affect your joints. Although pain and swelling in the joints and limited range motion of the affected area are symptoms common to many forms of arthritis, there are various causes and treatments for the different kinds of arthritis.

Myth: Arthritis is an “old person’s” disease.

Fact: Arthritic disorders affect people of all ages and races. Currently there are 300,000 babies, children and teenagers afflicted with some form of arthritis. Women get arthritic conditions more often than men. Although the most common type of arthritis—osteoarthritis—does occur more frequently as a person ages, there are other forms of the disease group brought on by bacteria, autoimmune or metabolic issues.

Myth: My father had arthritis so that means I’ll automatically get it too.

Fact: Heredity is just one risk factor for arthritis and doesn’t mean you will absolutely get arthritis too. There are ways that you can help prevent this disorder: avoiding obesity, taking care of injuries promptly and properly, and not overworking the same set of joints repeatedly over a long period of time are all ways that you can reduce the likelihood of getting some form of arthritis.

Myth: Once you have arthritis there’s really nothing that can be done about it.

Fact: There are several treatment options available for patients with arthritis. These include: physical therapy, orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications and more. The right treatment for you will depend on the source and type of arthritis you have and your lifestyle. If you are experiencing any symptoms of joint pain or discomfort, the best move you can make is to make an appointment at our Monroe or Lambertville office. Our experienced podiatrists, Dr. Scott E. Hughes, Dr. Greg P. Vogt, Dr. Christine I. Tumele, and Dr. Matthew W.E. Lewin will conduct a thorough examination of your foot and ankle and take a detailed medical history in order to find a solution for your joint pain. The earlier you seek treatment, the better your chances of successful treatment. Contact our offices at 734-241-0200 or 734-856-8900.