There are 26 bones in the foot, more than 30 small joints and multiple ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves. The arch in the foot helps to spread the body’s weight evenly across the many bones and joints. If you have high or low arches you may be more prone to developing other foot problems.
Pain in the feet and ankle joints is often caused by arthritis, which produces inflammation and swelling in the body’s joints and the surrounding soft tissues. There are many different types of arthritis but the most common is osteoarthritis. Arthritis is a degenerative disease which leads to progressive deterioration of the joints. As cartilage is lost, the bones begin to rub and wear against each other.