Foot and Ankle Arthritis Treatment in Bellevue

Arthritis is inflammation and damage in a joint that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling. The feet and ankles hold many small joints, so they are a common place for arthritis to appear, and identifying the type guides the treatment. If you need to be seen quickly, we offer same-day and urgent care appointments.

Symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis

Arthritis symptoms tend to build gradually and are often worse in the morning or after rest. Common signs include:

• Pain, aching, or tenderness in one or more joints.
• Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting.
• Swelling, warmth, or redness around a joint.
• A joint that is harder to move, or a grinding feeling when you do.
• Trouble walking, or pain that worsens with activity.
• Joint changes over time, such as a bony bump or a toe shifting position.

Osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle

Osteoarthritis is the wear-related form, in which the smooth cartilage that cushions a joint gradually breaks down. It is common with age and after old injuries, and in the foot it most often affects the big toe joint, the midfoot, and the ankle. The result is pain and stiffness that tend to worsen with activity and ease with rest, though an advanced joint can ache much of the time.

Rheumatoid arthritis in the feet

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints. It is systemic rather than wear-related, often affects the same joints on both feet, and the feet are frequently one of the first places it appears, with pain, swelling, and stiffness in the toes and forefoot. A separate crystal-driven type, gout, also causes inflammatory attacks in the foot, most often the big toe.

Because rheumatoid arthritis is a body-wide condition, it is managed together with your primary care provider or rheumatologist, who direct the medical treatment. Dr. Lee focuses on the feet: protecting the joints, easing pain, accommodating any deformity with footwear and orthotics, and watching for the skin and pressure problems that can come along with it.

Hallux rigidus (arthritis of the big toe)

Hallux rigidus is osteoarthritis of the joint at the base of the big toe. The joint becomes stiff and painful, especially when you push off while walking, and a bony bump can form on top. Early on the toe still bends somewhat, but over time it can stiffen further. Treatment starts conservatively, with stiff-soled or rocker-bottom shoes, custom orthotics, and activity adjustments that limit the painful motion, and turns to other options only when these are not enough.

Our approach at CarePlus

Treatment depends on the type of arthritis and which joints are involved, so Dr. Lee starts with an accurate diagnosis using an exam and imaging when needed. Care is conservative first and aimed at relieving pain and keeping you moving: supportive or accommodative footwear, custom orthotics to offload and stabilize painful joints, activity adjustments, and anti-inflammatory measures or a corticosteroid injection into a specific joint when appropriate. For rheumatoid arthritis, Dr. Lee coordinates with your rheumatologist or primary care provider. Surgery is considered only when conservative care no longer controls the pain, and the options are explained clearly before any step.

Why choose CarePlus for arthritis

Foot and ankle arthritis is easier to manage when the type is correctly identified and the joints are protected early. Dr. Hubert Lee is a board-certified, fellowship-trained podiatrist with more than 15 years of experience, and he treats arthritis conservatively, turning to surgery only when it is truly needed. Patients across Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Issaquah, Sammamish, and the greater Seattle area come to CarePlus for that care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Foot and Ankle Arthritis

Why do my feet hurt and feel stiff in the morning?

Morning pain and stiffness that eases as you move is a classic sign of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In the feet it often affects the big toe, midfoot, or ankle. A podiatrist can identify the type and start treatment to relieve it.

What is the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in the feet?

Osteoarthritis is wear-related, from cartilage breaking down over time, and usually affects specific joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, often on both feet at once, and it frequently shows up in the feet early. The two are treated differently, so the diagnosis matters.

Why is my big toe stiff and hard to bend?

A stiff, painful big toe joint, especially when you push off while walking, is often hallux rigidus, which is arthritis of that joint. Early treatment with stiffer-soled shoes and custom orthotics can ease the pain and limit painful motion before the joint stiffens further.

Can foot and ankle arthritis be treated without surgery?

Often, yes. Most arthritis is managed conservatively with supportive footwear, custom orthotics, activity changes, anti-inflammatory measures, and sometimes a joint injection. Surgery is considered only when these no longer control the pain.

Does rheumatoid arthritis affect the feet?

Yes, very often. The feet are one of the first places rheumatoid arthritis appears, with pain, swelling, and stiffness in the toes and forefoot. Foot care is managed alongside the rheumatologist or primary care provider who treats the underlying disease.

When should I see a podiatrist for foot arthritis?

See a podiatrist if you have ongoing joint pain, stiffness, or swelling in the feet or ankles, pain that limits walking, or a joint that is changing shape. Early care helps relieve pain and protect the joint.