Arthritis and your feet
Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. There are over 100 different types of arthritis. The three main types are osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Each type develops differently, but they can all have a painful effect on the joints of your feet.
Normally, cartilage acts as a cushion between bones, helping them move more smoothly. As arthritis wears away the cartilage, bones rub painfully against one another.
Each foot has more than 30 joints. Arthritis that affects any of these joints can make it difficult — and painful — to walk. Most often, arthritis affects the ankle, middle of the foot, and big toe.
You have a few options for treating arthritis in your foot joints.
You can take pain relievers or get steroid shots to bring down swelling and reduce discomfort. Or you can see a physical therapist to learn exercises that keep your feet more mobile. Braces or a cane can help you walk more confidently and with greater stability.
If these treatments don’t work, you may need surgery to fuse or replace damaged joints.
Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any type of treatment. Your doctor will recommend the right treatment for you based on which type of arthritis you have, as well as other factors.
Arthritis doesn’t only wear away at your joints. It can bend your feet out of shape, leaving large bumps that don’t fit properly into shoes.
Trying to squeeze your feet into tight-fitting or uncomfortable shoes will only make arthritis pain worse. On the other hand, wearing the right shoes can reduce foot pain and help you walk around more easily.
Soaring heels may look good, but they’re not good for your feet. Pointy high heels squeeze your toes and thrust your foot into an uncomfortable angle. They’re hard on anyone’s feet, and especially so if you have arthritis. A study from Iowa State University found that wearing high heels can damage the knee joint and contribute to osteoarthritis of the knee.
Considering that heels are unhealthy for your feet, you might be tempted to go in the opposite direction. Yet flats aren’t great for arthritis, either. Flats can be rough on your feet — especially if the shoes are rigid and have a pointy toe. Narrow-toed shoes can cause hammertoes, which is when the toes bend so they look like little hammers. If you do wear flats, make sure they’re flexible and provide good foot support.
The ideal shoe has a thick, low heel — like a wedge. The height of the shoe should put your foot into a comfortable, natural angle. Also make sure the shoes have rubber soles, which act like shock absorbers and prevent you from slipping. Your shoes should also have a wide toe box to give your toes plenty of room to move around.
Stability shoes have a cushioned midsole and heel to prevent the foot from rolling inward. They also act as a shock absorber. Stability shoes may not be the best option for people with osteoarthritis of the knee because they can increase the load on the knee. But they may be good for people with arthritis of the hip, foot, or ankle, especially people who tend to roll their foot inward when they walk.
For people with osteoarthritis of the knee, walking barefoot may be even better than wearing some types of shoes. That’s because barefoot walking reduces the load on the knee joint. When you can’t go barefoot, flip-flops are another option. A 2010
Some people with arthritis of the knee put inserts called wedge insoles into their shoes. Lateral insoles are thicker at the outer edge of the foot, which is thought to reduce the load on the inner knee joint. Yet a
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Arthritis and Your Feet
Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints, and there are over 100 different types of arthritis. The three main types mentioned in the article are:
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Osteoarthritis (OA): This type of arthritis occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down over time. As a result, bones rub painfully against each other [[1]].
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): RA is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing inflammation and damage. It can affect multiple joints, including those in the feet [[2]].
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Psoriatic arthritis (PsA): PsA is a type of arthritis that affects some people with psoriasis, a skin condition. It can cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, including in the feet [[3]].
Each type of arthritis develops differently, but they can all have a painful effect on the joints of your feet. The feet have more than 30 joints, and arthritis can make it difficult and painful to walk. The ankle, middle of the foot, and big toe are commonly affected by arthritis [[4]].
Treating Arthritis in Your Feet
The article mentions several treatment options for arthritis in foot joints:
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Pain relievers and steroid shots: These can help reduce swelling and discomfort [[5]].
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Physical therapy: Working with a physical therapist can help you learn exercises that keep your feet more mobile [[5]].
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Braces or a cane: These can provide support and stability while walking [[5]].
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Surgery: In cases where other treatments are not effective, surgery may be necessary to fuse or replace damaged joints [[5]].
It's important to consult with your doctor before starting any treatment. They will recommend the right treatment based on the type of arthritis you have and other factors [[5]].
Importance of Choosing the Right Shoes
Arthritis can affect the shape of your feet, and wearing the right shoes can help reduce foot pain and improve mobility. The article provides some guidance on choosing the right shoes:
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Shoes to avoid: High heels: Pointy high heels can squeeze your toes and put your foot in an uncomfortable angle, which can worsen arthritis pain [[6]].
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Shoes to avoid: Tight flats: Rigid flats with a pointy toe can be rough on your feet and may cause hammertoes. If you choose flats, opt for flexible ones that provide good foot support [[7]].
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Shoes to buy: Low, comfortable heels: Shoes with a thick, low heel (like a wedge) and a wide toe box can provide comfort and support. Rubber soles act as shock absorbers and prevent slipping [[8]].
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Stability shoes: Stability shoes have cushioned midsoles and heels to prevent the foot from rolling inward. They can be beneficial for people with arthritis of the hip, foot, or ankle, especially those who tend to roll their foot inward when walking [[9]].
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Going barefoot or wearing flip-flops: Walking barefoot or wearing flexible, low-heeled flip-flops can reduce the load on the knee joint for people with osteoarthritis of the knee [[10]].
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Insoles: While some people use wedge insoles to reduce the load on the inner knee joint, a study found that these insoles don't improve knee pain. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons does not recommend insoles for treating knee arthritis [[11]].
Remember, it's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a podiatrist or rheumatologist, for personalized advice on managing arthritis in your feet and choosing the right footwear.
I hope this information helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.
