Everyone knows someone with arthritis. Don’t let it get in the way of you doing what you love. Read below to find out what arthritis is and if your aching feet could get some relief with arthritis pain solutions.

The three most common areas to feel pain in the feet related to arthritis are the:

• Ankle joint
• Midfoot
• 1^st MTP (Big toe) joint

Osteoarthritis (OA for short) is the most common type of arthritis and can be described as the wear and tear form of arthritis. Typically, throughout our lives as we are working hard and putting more time in on our feet, our joints experience this wear and tear (some faster than others). This means that the cartilage, which acts as a cushion to protect the bones inside of a joint, is wearing away over time. When our knees take more pressure, this weakening cartilage can lead to “bone-on-bone” contact in the foot.

Another common arthritis culprit is rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that can affect multiple joints throughout the body and is a little different than osteoarthritis as it is an autoimmune disease. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the bodies immune cells attack the synovial membrane that surrounds your joints, leading to increased pressure through the cartilage, replicating symptoms very similar to osteoarthritis.

What does arthritis feel like?

• Joint tenderness and swelling
• Difficulty weight bearing, or participating in activities requiring a lot of movement
• Ankle, Knee (or affected joint) tending to give out randomly
• Pain/ Stiffness induced by weather changes (especially coldness)

What are some things that I can do to make it better?

Good Shoes! Think of footwear as the foundation to your body, or the tires on your car. If the tires aren’t working, the car won’t get very far. Seeking out properly fitting footwear that are suited for your lifestyle is key in reducing the pressure you put through your feet and subsequent joints up the chain. But we are not just talking about footwear for outside, think inside too. Looking at a higher cushioned shoe will allow the ankle and midfoot joint to have to absorb less shock/impact when walking or running, reducing pain. A rocker sole shoe will help to make your foot rock through normal gait more efficiently, reducing pressure on the foot and lower limb joints. Without supporting the feet properly, there is a risk that the arthritis might worsen sooner.

Footwear modifications are also something worth looking at when dealing with foot pain related to arthritis. Sometimes the perfect shoe needs to be made a little bit better with the perfect modification! Depending on the pain you’re experiencing and the joints that are affected, there are a ton of modifications that can be made to your shoes. Rocker soles, buttresses and flares for example can all be added to standard shoes… the possibilities are endless and our BioPed Pedorthists are masters when it comes to modifying footwear!

Orthotics can be another great solution to help with your lower limb discomfort. These devices can be used inside your shoe to help realign the lower limb and make your feet more efficient at managing the pressure you put through them. By reducing this pressure on your ankles, knees and hips, we can help to reduce cartilage breakdown over time and ease pain. The nice thing is that they can be fit into almost any shoe!

Come see us!

If you’re suffering from foot pain due to arthritis or another lower limb concern, please book an appointment today! At BioPed Footcare, whether it’s bracing, shoes, or footwear, we are here for you. With our on-site lab there is nothing we can’t do! Meet with one of BioPed’s lower limb clinicians to see how you can keep your feet and legs healthy!