Arthritis refers to inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. Arthritis can take many forms. A person with arthritis may experience different symptoms depending on the type of arthritis they have.
There are many forms of arthritis in the feet, such as psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis and gout.
Osteoarthritis
The most common culprit is osteoarthritis. A degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis occurs when the tissues inside a joint wear down over time. As the years go by, and we continue to use the affected area, it tends to worsen considerably. In the foot, osteoarthritis is most often found in these three areas: ankle joint, big toe joint (or 1st MTPJ) and through the midfoot.
Many different symptoms are associated with osteoarthritis (and most other forms of arthritis) in the foot. They include:
- Stiffness, swelling and pain in the affected joint
- Trouble with moving the joint or even weight-bearing
- Pain at night or after brief periods of rest
- Pain when moving the joint
Arthritis can worsen over time. If you start feeling pain, get advice immediately to stop it from getting more severe. The big question is, what can you do about the pain? Great News! There are many options, and combinations of those options provide the best outcomes for our clients.
Support for arthritis
Support is essential when dealing with arthritis.
Maintaining proper foot and leg support throughout the gait cycle is key in reducing pressure on the wrong areas.
Footwear for arthritic feet
It all starts with your footwear.
Your feet can be happy or angry depending on the shoe you wear. A proper fit includes the right size, styles AND correct supportive features. Your shoes should not put any extra pressure on your feet. Proper width can reduce pressure through the metatarsals and proper depth can keep pressure off the midfoot.
Looking for a shoe with features such as a more aggressive rocker sole (the end of the shoe where the toe lifts) can help to reduce pressure through the first ray if your arthritis affects that joint. It’s also important to keep your feet supported at all points of the day, not just outside. Most appropriate styles have adjustable closures to allow for a customized fit for the natural shape of your foot and to accommodate for swelling and bony changes that may occur over time. Don’t forget the indoors! Try out a slipper or sandal to help support the feet, especially in the mornings and at night when the pain creeps back after resting.
Orthotics
Next up, orthotics! When a great orthotic can supplement a fantastic shoe and the duo help to keep pain at bay. Getting assessed by your nearest BioPed Pedorthist is a good stepping stone into orthotics. Having your gait analyzed is important because it will give you information on how you’re walking and where you are putting additional stress on your feet. Orthotics help to redistribute your weight and the pressure through your feet, as well as reduce stress on arthritic joints. Orthotics can fit into all of the shoes that you love, even your slippers! We can always keep those feet supported and happy!
Walking
Last but certainly not least, walking! You are probably wondering, “Why would walking help with arthritis?”. Well, with arthritis, movement helps because it encourages blood flow to the joints of the foot (in addition to the rest of your body). When we encourage blood flow to the joints it helps to improve the production of fluid in the joints that lubricate them, reducing stiffness and pain. All the more reason to get into proper shoes and orthotics so we can make those morning walks even more enjoyable!
If you’re suffering from arthritic pain, we can help.
If you’re in pain or want more information on how to keep your feet/legs happy and healthy, let us know and book an appointment today! At BioPed Footcare, we are here for you. Meet with one of BioPed’s lower limb clinicians to see how we can keep you on your feet and doing more!
*www.arthritis.org
