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Arthritis
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. The primary targets for arthritis
are people over the age of 50. Arthritis is a major cause of
foot pain. This is because each foot has 33 joints which 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 effect 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 & 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 These soles are 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.
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