During the cold and damp winter months, we at Long Island Foot & Ankle Group, PC hear more complaints about joint pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis, a condition where the cartilage in the joints deteriorates, is one cause of joint pain, but there are others as well including:
· Trauma to a joint
· Infection
· An inflammatory response
· Bursitis
· Gout
· Structural problem in the foot
It’s important to track down the source of joint discomfort in order to be able to treat it properly. If you have undiagnosed joint pain, swelling or stiffness, make an appointment at our Valley Stream or Lake Success office so that one of our foot and ankle surgeons, Dr. Russell Caprioli, Dr. Mary Ann Bilotti, Dr. John Haight or Dr. Marzana Mleczko, can do a complete examination of your feet and ankles. This may include x-rays or other imaging studies to get a better picture of the condition of your joints. The foot doctor will also want to get your medical history because often arthritis develops in sites that previously sustained an injury.
Joint Health Boosters
In addition to following all the doctor’s instructions for treatment and care of your joints, there are steps you can take on your own to help strengthen and improve joint health. These include:
· Regular exercise. Weight bearing exercise helps maintain joint strength. Be sure to stretch and warm up before and after working out to prevent harm to joints, muscles and tendons.
· Lose weight. It’s a simple equation: every pound you lose decreases the amount of strain on your joints and the amount of work they have to do.
· Eat a diet that fights inflammation. Avoid fried foods, sugars and refined flours as these can all increase the body’s inflammatory response. Add foods to your diet that are known to have anti-inflammatory properties, such as omega-3 rich fish like salmon, raisins, ginger and cherries.
To learn more about treating joint pain or how to be proactive in the care of your joints, contact us by calling: (516) 825-4070 or (516) 327-0074 today.