Your health: Arthritis & the feet

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Arthritis is a disease of the joints that causes pain and deformity. It often affects the feet.

What is arthritis

Arthritis is a disease of the joints causing pain and deformity which often affects the feet. It is not a single disease but a host of disorders, each with different causes and outcomes. Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis are the most common types but there are more than 150 others. More than 4 million Australians are afflicted with arthritis and of these, 88% suffer with effects to the feet.

How does arthritis affect the feet?

There are over 25 joints in the foot that allow it to adapt to the many different surfaces we walk on and therefore absorb mechanical shocks. Arthritis can affect foot function by altering joint movement. Early signs and symptoms can include pain, swelling, heat and redness, often resulting in enlarged, stiff and painful joints. Walking becomes difficult and it is hard to find well fitting shoes.

Corns and callouses may develop over those areas that are subjected to an increase in pressure. Fragile skin over enlarged joints may break down easily, possibly forming ulcers.

Treatment

There are a number of different treatments for arthritis, and they will vary according to the cause and area of the foot involved. While medical therapies are often necessary to help with the suppression of pain, this has to be integrated with advice on footwear, footcare, padding and perhaps mechanical support.

Exercise

Frequent gentle mobilisation is important to aid foot function. Maintain gentle movement of the ankles and toes before you get out of bed, while watching television or when forced to sit for long periods.

In addition to this, heat therapy such as liniments or wheat packs, often helps to mobilise the feet if they are feeling stiff and sore.

It is important to have a balance between exercise and rest. So use these principles as a guide:

1. When joints are inflamed, rest is needed. The amount and type will depend on how inflamed your joint is.
2. If joints ache only on certain movements, have a rest from those movements.
3. Joints that are stiff need more exercise.
4. Joints that are weak and unstable need more support.
5. Rest does not always mean lying down - it can also mean changing your posture, wearing a splint or doing a different activity.

Footwear

Arthritic feet require shoes that accommodate the changes in foot shape and give stability and support.

Shoes should be light weight, and can be either lace up or, more important for arthritic fingers, have velcro straps or elastic laces.

Make sure the shoes fit properly: check the length, width and depth of the shoe. Extra depth may be required in the toebox to accommodate hammer toes.

Rubber or crepe soles and a soft insole will provide cushioning, and a wide heel base helps stability. Ensure the back of the heel is firm to control the foot

Professional help

Since arthritis affects the whole body, it can be difficult to care for your feet. A visit to the Podiatrist for assessment and assistance with foot care may help to alleviate pain and keep you mobile, through the use of padding, orthoses etc.

The Podiatrist or Occupational Therapist may also be able to help you with devices such as long handled shoe horns, which may help to maintain your independence.

Printable version

Related links:

• Printable version
• HKHS Podiatry
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• Health facts