Rehabilitation of the person with arthritis of the ankle and foot.

When combined with skillful pharmacologic management, applying the full stock of biomechanical principles available to the rheumatoid foot and ankle is very effective in avoiding the need for surgery and slowing or preventing deformity. The general principles of arthritis rehabilitation also help restore function. When good medical management, joint protection, exercise, and energy conservation techniques are combined with psychosocial vocational therapy as needed, the crippling loss of function so often seen in the past can be largely avoided.