If your arthritis pain can't be alleviated, surgery to repair or replace damaged joints in the foot may be necessary. You may have osteoarthritis of the foot that shows up in an x-ray and not have any pain or other symptoms. If so, that's fine. On the other hand, your x-ray may reveal little in the way of structural damage even if you are having pain severe enough to interfere with your ability to walk. If you have significant pain, see a foot care specialist. Treatment decisions are based on symptoms, not x-ray evidence.
