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Arthritis
Arthritis
Definition
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 about
40 million Americans who suffer from arthritis. The National Institute
of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, estimates that by
the year 2020, about 60 million Americans will have arthritis. The
primary targets for arthritis are people over the age of 50. Arthritis
is a major cause of foot pain because each foot has 33 joints that can
become affected by the disease.
Osteoarthritis
There are many different types of
arthritis. The most common type is called osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis
causes excessive strain and the wearing away of cartilage in the joints
of the foot. Movement becomes very difficult and painful. The pain and
swelling worsens while standing or walking, and stiffness usually occurs
after periods of rest.
Gout
Gout is another form of arthritis that
also leads to foot complications. Excess uric acid crystals collect in
and around the joints of the big toe. The big toe joint is commonly the
focal point due to the stress and pressure it experiences during walking
and other weight bearing activities. This often leads to severe pain in
the big toe. Men are more likely to develop gouty arthritis than women.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Another type of arthritis is rheumatoid
arthritis. It can develop at any age and there is no known cause for
this condition. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most crippling form of the
disease that can affect people of all ages. It can cause severe
deformities of the joints with associated fatigue of the entire body.
People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis often develop severe
forefoot problems such as bunions, hammer toes, claw toes, and others.
Cause
There are many causes of arthritis.
Heredity plays a major role. However, arthritic symptoms can develop due
to many other factors. Some of these include bacterial and viral
infections, prescription and illegal drugs, traumatic injuries, and
bowel disorders such as ileitis and colitis.
Forefoot problems such as hammer toes,
claw toes, mallet toes, and bunions often develop as a result of
arthritis, particularly Rheumatoid arthritis. Problems can also develop
in the heel and ankle area due to the erosion of the involved joints.
Treatment and
Prevention
Conservative treatment (non-surgical
treatment) of the arthritic foot includes proper footwear, orthotics,
and/or forefoot supports. Arthritic footwear should provide the
following benefits:
- High, wide toe box (high and wide
space in the toe area)
- Removable insoles for fitting
flexibility and the option to insert orthotics if necessary.
- Rocker Soles designed to facilitate
ambulating (walking) and to reduce stress and pain at the
ball-of-the-foot.
Arthritic footwear should also
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 customized comfort. The proper footwear and
orthotics will reduce pressure to provide a comfortable and healthy
environment for the foot.
Forefoot supports such as gel toe caps,
gel toe shields, gel toe straighteners and others can often provide
relief.
If the problem persists, consult your
foot doctor.
Foot
Health Information
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