Your Feet and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Over 90% of people with rheumatoid arthritis develop foot problems. For many, symptoms here are the first signs of the disease.
Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn't from wear and tear.
It's an autoimmune condition.
This means your body's natural protection overreacts and attacks itself.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the small joints of your wrists, toes, fingers and feet take the assault.
It can get severe enough so that even standing is painful.
Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn't from wear and tear.
It's an autoimmune condition.
This means your body's natural protection overreacts and attacks itself.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the small joints of your wrists, toes, fingers and feet take the assault.
It can get severe enough so that even standing is painful.
Synovitis: The Hallmark of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Your joints are lined with a protective cushion called the synovium.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes over-stimulation of your synovium. It swells and inflames.
Over time, this synovitis ravages your joint and ligaments.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes over-stimulation of your synovium. It swells and inflames.
Over time, this synovitis ravages your joint and ligaments.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Typical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
But these signs are common to several other conditions.
In fact, they're common to plain old aging.
I see patients with RA who knew something was wrong for a long time before diagnosis.
- Tender, swollen joints
- Joint stiffness that's worse after rest
- Fatigue, fever and loss of appetite
But these signs are common to several other conditions.
In fact, they're common to plain old aging.
I see patients with RA who knew something was wrong for a long time before diagnosis.
Foot Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms to Look For
Perhaps you've noticed bunions that have developed fast (Think months)
Or toes that veer off at odd angles in a short space of time.
Severe morning foot pain is common. It tends to present under the balls of the toes or the heel.
(Unlike osteoarthritis, RA pain affects both feet. This is because the condition is systemic; it affects the whole body)
You start to get unstable, and have difficulty walking on uneven ground — like grass and gravel.
Or toes that veer off at odd angles in a short space of time.
Severe morning foot pain is common. It tends to present under the balls of the toes or the heel.
(Unlike osteoarthritis, RA pain affects both feet. This is because the condition is systemic; it affects the whole body)
You start to get unstable, and have difficulty walking on uneven ground — like grass and gravel.
How Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects the Feet
Rheumatoid arthritis changes the position of bones in your feet.
As your synovium blows up, the joint gets bigger and looser.
Ligaments that support your foot become weak. The arch collapses and the front of the foot points outward.
Over time, your foot shape changes as support structures degenerate. As a result, you get hammer toe, bunions and ball of the foot swelling.
Each individual deformity is common, but the combination is unique to RA patients.
As your synovium blows up, the joint gets bigger and looser.
Ligaments that support your foot become weak. The arch collapses and the front of the foot points outward.
Over time, your foot shape changes as support structures degenerate. As a result, you get hammer toe, bunions and ball of the foot swelling.
Each individual deformity is common, but the combination is unique to RA patients.
RA Causes and Triggers
The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unclear, however it's established there are genetic factors.
In other words, it runs in families.
Women get rheumatoid arthritis more than men and it usually begins in middle age.
It's suspected a chemical or environmental trigger activates the disease. Smoking is, as usual, the biggest culprit.
In other words, it runs in families.
Women get rheumatoid arthritis more than men and it usually begins in middle age.
It's suspected a chemical or environmental trigger activates the disease. Smoking is, as usual, the biggest culprit.
Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose.
Many conditions cause joint pain and stiffness; no one blood test can definitively show a diagnosis.
However, several tests can show strong indication.
The main ones used are ESR and CRP tests which assess levels inflammation in the body.
X-rays and MRI scans are also performed to check joint inflammation and damage.
(These can be used to monitor how your condition is progressing over time)
Many conditions cause joint pain and stiffness; no one blood test can definitively show a diagnosis.
However, several tests can show strong indication.
The main ones used are ESR and CRP tests which assess levels inflammation in the body.
X-rays and MRI scans are also performed to check joint inflammation and damage.
(These can be used to monitor how your condition is progressing over time)
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Prevention and Treatment
My overriding goal is to keep changes that happen to the feet as comfortable as possible.
The primary way to do this is to minimize pressure.
This means regular removal of hard skin and soft insoles.
In terms of medication, new, injection-based treatments are a game changer to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Methotrexate is often prescribed, which blocks the effects of chemicals released when your immune system attacks your joints.
A short course of corticosteroid like prednisalone is also often given to relieve any pain.
The primary way to do this is to minimize pressure.
This means regular removal of hard skin and soft insoles.
In terms of medication, new, injection-based treatments are a game changer to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Methotrexate is often prescribed, which blocks the effects of chemicals released when your immune system attacks your joints.
A short course of corticosteroid like prednisalone is also often given to relieve any pain.
