Some Treatments That May Help Your Foot And Ankle Pain From Rheumatoid Arthritis
Posted on: 2 October 2017
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful condition that affects your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles. In addition to inflammation and pain, arthritis can even cause deformities in your feet that make walking even more painful. When the joints in your feet are affected by arthritis, you may have chronic pain that interferes with your ability to go about your job and other activities. A podiatrist can help you manage your pain and make your feet as comfortable as possible. Here are some treatments that might help.
Custom Shoes And Orthotics
The shape of your feet may change when you have rheumatoid arthritis in your joints. You'll want to change your shoes so they don't put pressure on your feet. You may even need custom shoes that allow plenty of toe room while providing the support your feet need. A podiatrist can prescribe custom shoes based on measurements of your feet and the location of pressure points on your feet when you walk. If you don't need custom shoes, orthotics may help. These are shoe inserts, heel cups, or padding that keep your feet comfortable. These can also be made to custom-fit your feet. You may need to buy new shoes on a regular basis to accommodate the changes in your feet and to keep your feet from hurting so much.
Arthritis Medications
The best way to keep the pain in your feet under control is to manage your arthritis with the help of your doctor. This may include taking arthritis medication that reduces inflammation and eating an anti-inflammatory diet. Controlling your arthritis helps relieve pain all over your body including your feet. It may also slow down the progression of the damage in your joints so you can continue walking without difficulty.
Rest Periods
One of the best treatments for foot pain is to rest your feet frequently throughout the day. Elevate your feet and take pressure off them for several minutes at a time. You can also place ice packs on your feet while you rest or soak them in hot water to relieve pain and discomfort. Foot massages may help too while your feet rest. You can massage them yourself with a soothing oil, and you can also go to a massage therapist for regular foot massages.
Regular Foot Care
Keeping your feet in good shape can help prevent other problems that complicate your arthritis pain. See your podiatrist for treatment of bunions and other foot abnormalities. Your podiatrist will monitor the progression of your arthritis and help you manage your condition as your feet change. If the changes in your joints eventually affect your gait, your podiatrist may be able to help with orthotic devices, or even surgery, that will help you keep walking while protecting your back and hips.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful condition to deal with and when it affects your feet, you can be miserable. Fortunately, when you work with your podiatrist, you can better manage your condition and control pain so you can stay mobile and live as normally as possible for as long as you can.
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