Arthritis in the feet
Arthritis in the feet is pain, stiffness and inflammation in the joints of the toes, ankle or arch. A podiatrist can help you manage it with footwear advice, orthotics, exercises and skin and nail care. Fiona assesses arthritis in the feet in an initial consultation from $100, and you can book online.
What foot arthritis is
Arthritis in the feet means one or more joints in the foot or ankle are painful, stiff and often inflamed. Two common types affect the feet. Osteoarthritis is the wearing down of cartilage in the joints and surrounding bones, and it is most common in middle aged and older people. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints and can lead to deformity and immobility in the toes, ankles and foot. Any joint in the foot can be affected, and the big toe joint is commonly affected.
Symptoms
Foot arthritis can show up in different ways depending on the joint involved. Common signs include:
- Pain in the ankle, toes or foot arch
- Stiffness in the affected joints
- Swelling or inflammation around a joint
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Hard skin developing on toes or under the foot as a result of joint changes
- Trouble finding comfortable footwear
Causes and risk factors
Osteoarthritis happens when cartilage in a joint wears down over time, which is why it is more common in middle aged and older people. Injury or repeated stress to a joint can contribute to it. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints of the toes, ankles and foot. Being overweight can add to the load on foot joints. Shoes that do not support the foot well may make symptoms worse.
Treatment at the clinic
She can refer you for an X-ray, ultrasound or MRI when it is needed, and she can refer you back to your GP when that is the right path. Treatment depends on the stage of the arthritis and the joint affected. Options include footwear advice, stretching and strengthening programs, strapping and taping, and orthotics: custom orthotics from $650 or semi-custom orthotics from $450, each including a biomechanical assessment and fitting. Fiona can remove hard skin that builds up around affected joints and treat nails that have become thick and hard to cut. Your doctor or GP manages any medicines for arthritis.
Looking after it at home
You can do several things at home to manage arthritis in your feet. Keeping your weight in a healthy range eases pressure on your joints. Regular weight-bearing exercise such as walking strengthens the muscles that support your joints. Fiona can give you specific exercises to keep the joints in your feet and ankles moving and strong. Comfortable, supportive shoes make a real difference, and she can advise you on choosing shoes that suit your feet and your activities. A walking stick can help take load off a painful joint.
When to see a podiatrist
See a podiatrist when foot pain, stiffness or swelling is changing the way you walk or limiting your daily activities. Hard skin building up on toes or under the foot, or nails becoming thick and hard to cut, are reasons to book as well. A flare of inflammation, a joint that looks deformed, or pain that stops you bearing weight should go to your GP, because your doctor manages the medical side of arthritis including medicines.
Questions
Is walking good for foot arthritis?
Walking strengthens the muscles that support your joints and is a reasonable form of weight-bearing exercise for many people. Comfortable, supportive shoes and an assessment of your feet first help make walking more manageable. Fiona can advise you on the right footwear and exercises for your situation.
What is the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in the feet?
Osteoarthritis is the wearing down of cartilage in the joints and surrounding bones, and it is most common in middle aged and older people. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints and can lead to painful deformity and immobility in the toes, ankles and foot. Both can cause foot pain and stiffness.
Can orthotics help arthritis in the feet?
Orthotics inside your shoes can help with joint pain in the feet for many people. Fiona assesses your feet and the way you walk, then prescribes custom orthotics from $650 or semi-custom orthotics from $450, each including a biomechanical assessment and fitting. See custom orthotics for more detail.
Does arthritis in the feet get worse without treatment?
Untreated arthritis can continue to cause pain and change the way you move. Seeking treatment early can help you control pain and reduce further strain on your joints. An assessment with Fiona gives you a clear picture of what is happening in your feet and what your options are.