How Arthritis in Your Foot Affects Your Body

Senior Couple Walking On A Golf CourseArthritis in your foot doesn’t end there. The important role your feet play in your everyday movement can lead to other issues throughout your body. The condition of arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints, leading to pain and stiffness. It is common because there are many small joints in the foot and ankle that experience a lot of pressure. The high number of joints means there are more than 100 forms of arthritis that can affect the foot and ankle. Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, impacts multiple joints within the foot and ankle, as well as the rest of your body.

What Are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

If you experience the following symptoms, you may have RA:

  • Foot pain, swelling, stiffness
  • Concentrated pain in specific joints or the ball of the foot
  • Warm joints that impact how you walk
  • Developing corns and bunions
  • Stiffening or curling of toes forming ‘claw toe’ or ‘hammer toe’

Most often, symptoms will appear in several joints on both feet. Women are more likely to experience swelling in the forefoot, especially those who wear high heels. The symptoms can extend beyond your feet though, because RA affects your entire body. The following symptoms may also accompany RA:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue and quickly feeling tired
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lumps near other joints, typically elbows

How a Foot Doctor Can Help with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Your Feet

Senior Couple HikingSeek relief from the experts at Comfort Stride. Our team has treated many people with RA and can offer the following arthritis treatments, and more:

  • Exercise – The foot doctors at Comfort Stride offer physical therapy and can design an exercise program that is suited to your lifestyle and distinct symptoms of RA. Stretching and range-of-motion exercises are typically advised and provide the most relief.
  • Assistive Devices – Special shoes, insoles or other devices may be prescribed to help limit toe curling or stiffening and provide support or cushioning to the specific areas of your foot that are experiencing pain. Canes or crutches may also be used in extreme cases of RA.
  • Medications – Many people handle the pain with over-the-counter drugs that are anti-inflammatory. These will help alleviate pain and swelling inside the joints. For some, cortisone injections may also be administered for pain relief and to minimize swelling.
  • Surgery – Extreme cases may warrant surgery for arthritis in the foot. There are different types of surgeries and your foot doctor can help determine which is suited to the degree and variety of arthritis you suffer from.

Arthritis in the feet can be extremely painful. Don’t suffer in silence. Consult with the experts at Comfort Stride to learn more about your treatment options. You can also call us at (647) 989-7794.

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