Arthritis and Your Feet
Arthritis is a disease characterized by the inflammation of the cartilage and lining of the body’s joints. Inflammation causes redness, warmth, pain and swelling. There are approximately 40 million Americans who suffer from arthritis. Arthritis is a major cause of foot pain because each foot has 33 joints that can become affected by the disease.
Heredity is a major cause of arthritis. Other factors include: bacterial and viral infections, prescription and illegal drugs, bowel disorders and traumatic injuries. People suffering from any form of arthritis are at a much higher risk of developing foot problems such as bunions, hammer toes, claw toes, corns and calluses. |
Treatment:
Non-surgical treatment of the arthritic foot includes proper footwear, orthotics, and/or forefoot supports. Arthritic footwear should provide the following benefits:
*Deep toe box (Extra space up and down in the toe area)
*Removable insoles for fitting flexibility and the option to insert orthotics if necessary.
*Rocker Soles can be added and are designed to facilitate ambulation (walking) and to reduce pain and stress at the ball-of-the-foot.
*Arthritic footwear should also be able to accommodate swelling of the foot.
*Orthotics designed to provide comfort, support and extra cushioning are also recommended.
Orthotics made with a material called Plastazote are often recommended because they mold to your feet to provide protection and comfort. The proper footwear and orthotics will reduce pressure to provide a comfortable and healthy environment for the foot. Foot care products such as gel toe caps, gel toe shields, gel toe straighteners and others can often provide relief.
It is important to remember that most of the time, pain from arthritis can "move around" in the foot and become more and more painful from day to day. A Pedorthist cannot take away your pain. We can help you into the proper footwear for your foot type and shape and help to make you more comfortable, but some pain may be ever present.
Non-surgical treatment of the arthritic foot includes proper footwear, orthotics, and/or forefoot supports. Arthritic footwear should provide the following benefits:
*Deep toe box (Extra space up and down in the toe area)
*Removable insoles for fitting flexibility and the option to insert orthotics if necessary.
*Rocker Soles can be added and are designed to facilitate ambulation (walking) and to reduce pain and stress at the ball-of-the-foot.
*Arthritic footwear should also be able to accommodate swelling of the foot.
*Orthotics designed to provide comfort, support and extra cushioning are also recommended.
Orthotics made with a material called Plastazote are often recommended because they mold to your feet to provide protection and comfort. The proper footwear and orthotics will reduce pressure to provide a comfortable and healthy environment for the foot. Foot care products such as gel toe caps, gel toe shields, gel toe straighteners and others can often provide relief.
It is important to remember that most of the time, pain from arthritis can "move around" in the foot and become more and more painful from day to day. A Pedorthist cannot take away your pain. We can help you into the proper footwear for your foot type and shape and help to make you more comfortable, but some pain may be ever present.