Ways To Care For Arthritic Feet
Arthritis comes in many forms and can cause those who have it to be uncomfortable or in pain. Thankfully, there are some ways to care for arthritic feet at home in order to relieve some troublesome symptoms. Ice packs can be used to reduce inflammation, which will help the joint feel better overall. Stiff-soled shoes, that have plenty of room for your toes, will also help alleviate some pain. Contrast baths can also be used to reduce symptoms. Contrast baths require two buckets or tubs of water, one warm and one cold. Alternating the affected foot from cold water to warm water every 30 seconds for 5 minutes can offer some relief. It is important to avoid freezing or boiling water, because these could cause further damage to the foot. If you think you may have arthritis, then it is strongly suggested that you speak with podiatrist to begin the proper treatment.
Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Family Foot Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Arthritic Foot Care
Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves the inflammation of different joints in your body, such as those in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. In addition to this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.
Alleviating Arthritic Pain
Factors To Consider Before Buying Shoes For Arthritic Feet
Size
Normally, you are advised to find a shoe that fits snugly. However, those with arthritic feet need some room for movement. Hammertoes and rheumatoid arthritis toes swell a lot and when they entangle with the edges of your shoes, youll be in for a bad time.
The rule of thumb is to buy a shoe in a half or full-size up. While this is rarely indicated, a shoe with more depth to the front creates more room for toes as well.
Consider removable insoles
The core areas that suffer arthritic pain are the toes, heel joint, midfoot, and metatarsal joints. When a shoe has a removable insole, you can do away with it for an ideal . Sometimes removing it creates more room for feet movement provided the bottom is still soft.
Adjustability
No matter how comfortable your shoe is, at some point, its likely to start feeling uncomfortable. So in the moments of arthritis flare-ups, you could benefit a lot from a shoe that can adjust easily.
The best shoes for arthritic feet have zip, elastic laces and Velcro straps as fasteners. These securing methods can be adjusted in a single move and with one hand. Lace straps that require two hands can prove to be a herculean task or even painful if you have arthritic fingers.
If you have back problems, another good option to look into is slip-on. Its a breeze to slide in and out.
Material
For flexible uppers, an arthritis shoe needs to feature soft textiles, canvas, or a breathable mesh. Neoprene and other stretchable material are nicer options too.
Get Foot Pain Relief With Arthritis
Need some foot pain relief? If you are older than 60, you may find yourself saying Oh, my aching feet! often. According to the Arthritis Foundation, close to half of people in their sixties and seventies suffer from arthritis foot pain. In fact, the damage starts even sooner: Beginning in your forties, your feet begin to show wear and tear, explains Dennis Frisch, a doctor of podiatric medicine in Boca Raton, Florida.
Arthritis is inflammation in or around the joints that results in swelling, pain, and stiffness. It can generally be divided in two categories:
- Osteoarthritis and other wear-and-tear types of arthritis
- Inflammatory arthritis
Osteoarthritis, the most common kind of arthritis, affects millions of people worldwide. This type of arthritis occurs over time and by overuse. The cartilage between the bones at your pivotal joints wears away. As a result, your bones grind against each other, causing pain and swelling. Very often osteoarthritis also causes degeneration of the cartilage at the base of your big toe, resulting in big toe joint pain. Bony spurs then develop at the joint there, followed by pain in the big toe and decreased motion of the joint.
Arthritis in the feet causes pain and a loss of strength, flexibility, or exercise ability. For millions of people with arthritis in the feet, simple daily tasks such as walking out to get the mail can be painful. Eventually, walking may become nearly impossible.
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Creating A Walking Routine For Arthritis
Anyone looking for at-home remedies for foot arthritis should consider a walking routine. We recommend checking in with a healthcare provider before implementing a regime. A doctor or physical therapist can help you create a custom routine.
That said, arthritis experts have developed a few excellent CDC-approved programs available to virtually everyone. This includes the Arthritis Foundations Walk With Ease, Exercise, and Aquatics programs, along with the University of Illinois at Chicagos Fit and Strong! Program, and the Cooper Institutes group-based Active Living Every Day program.
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Relaxus Flexible Sock And Stocking Aid
The Relaxus Flexible Sock and Stocking Aid is designed to make it easy to pull on all kinds of socks, including thin pantyhose, thick wool socks, and everything in between. This is achieved through an easy-glide nylon inner layer and a three-finger grip strap, which makes it easy to pull on any kind of sock.
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Best Overall: Ecco Soft 7 Slip
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May run narrow
We chose this sneaker as our top pick because it’s lightweight, can be slipped on, and provides cushioning and support for people with arthritis. The shoe has a removable insole, allowing you to add your own orthotics to meet your specific needs. Plus, it comes with elastic panels on the side of the shoe that make them easy to slip on and offa bonus for those dealing with arthritis in their hands, wrists, or fingers.
A fabric lining makes the shoes breathable, so your feet will stay cool and comfortable even after wearing them for hours. Even though they feel like athletic shoes, the style can be worn with everything from athleisure to business casual.
Sizes Available: Womens 4/4.5 – 12/12.5 | Materials: Full grain nappa leather textile lining | Width: Standard | Arch Support: Neutral | Weight: Lightweight
See Your Doctor For Arthritis In The Feet
If you have arthritis in your feet, have your feet checked by a rheumatologist or podiatrist at least once a year, Dr. Frisch says.
We recommend yearly visits to be sure there arent any changes in your feet and to see whether any devices you may have been given, such as braces or orthotics, are working appropriately,” says Frisch. “And if youre having pain, dont wait for your yearly visit. See your doctor right away.
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Arthritis In The Toes
Ocskaymark / Getty Images
Arthritis in the toes is often the result of wear and tear of the cartilage in the toe joints or inflammation of the toe joints. The big toe is most often affected by arthritis, but other toes can also be involved.
Common symptoms of arthritis of the toes may include pain that can take hours or days to resolve and swelling and inflammation in and around the toe joints. Both RA and PsA can cause significant pain and swelling. However, with PsA, the toes become so swollen that they can resemble sausages .
Additional symptoms of arthritis in the toes might include:
- Restricted range of motion due to swelling or cartilage damage
- Development of bone spurs, which can further restrict movement
- Difficulty and pain with bending the toes
- A toe that might bend permanently downward
- Pain that worsens with weight-bearing activityrunning, walking, climbing stairs, etc.
- A bump formation or sore
- Pitted, separated, thickened toenails
- Curling of toeshammertoe or claw toe
How To Cure Arthritis In Your Feet: Can Natural Remedies Help
This article was co-authored by Lisa Bryant, ND. Dr. Lisa Bryant is Licensed Naturopathic Physician and natural medicine expert based in Portland, Oregon. She earned a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency in Naturopathic Family Medicine there in 2014.There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 39,314 times.
While arthritis is always a pain to deal with, it can be a particular problem if it affects your feet. This can make getting around difficult, so managing your symptoms is very important. Dont worry! While you cant cure it, there are luckily a lot of things you can do every day to relieve your pain, and many of them are completely natural. Taking the right steps can keep you moving around easier so arthritis doesnt get in the way of your life. If you try these remedies and dont notice any improvement, then talk to your doctor for more treatment options.
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Best For Toe Arthritis: Hoka One One Bondi 7
Amazon
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Available in mens and womens varieties/sizes
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Highly cushioned sole
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Runs slightly narrow
Technically, these are running shoes, but they work just as well for running errands as they do around a track. People with toe arthritis will appreciate the rocker-bottom sole, which helps take pressure off the big toe, as well as the shoes toe boxwhich is roomy while still being supportive. The breathable lining was designed to cut down on rubbing, so its also a good option for those prone to blisters.
Sizes Available: Mens sizes 7-16 womens sizes 5-12 | Materials: Mesh upper, memory foam collar | Width: Mens widths: regular , wide , and x-wide womens widths: regular and wide | Arch Support: Neutral | Weight: Men: 10.7 oz women: 8.9 oz
Foot And Ankle Arthritis Types
Arthritis is a general term for a group of more than 100 diseases. It can involve inflammation and swelling in and around your joints and the nearby soft tissue.
With many kinds of arthritis, your joints wear down over time. You slowly lose the smooth “cushioning” cartilage inside them. As a result, your bones rub and wear against each other. Soft tissues in your joints also may begin to wear down. After some time, the joint might not work or move the way it should.
Several types of arthritis can cause pain in your feet and ankles, including:
- Osteoarthritis, or “wear-and-tear” arthritis, is the most common type. Doctors also call it degenerative joint disease or age-related arthritis. Osteoarthritis usually causes changes over many years. The foot and ankle joints where itâs most common are:
- The three joints involving your heel bone, your inner mid-foot bone, and your outer mid-foot bone
- The joint of your big toe and foot bone
- The joint where your ankle and shinbone meet
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Interventional Treatments For Arthritis
Once youve made changes to your lifestyle, and have incorporated different stretching exercises into your routine, it may be time to talk to your doctor about additional treatments. First-line treatments should always focus on exercise, weight loss, and dietary changes.
After, you may consider these three interventional strategies:
- Taking medications, such as ibuprofen or topical creams, during pain flare-ups
- Receiving cortisone injections to provide pain relief and reduce inflammation
- Getting surgery
Medications and creams can provide short-term relief during acute flare-ups of pain. Joint injections and surgery are longer-term solutions that should only be considered after other strategies have been tried.
What Are The Symptoms Of Arthritis On The Top Of Your Foot
There are a few common symptoms associated with arthritis in the top of the foot. These include:
- Joint pain and discomfort in the midfoot
- Foot pain, especially after standing or walking for long periods
- Pain within the first few steps after getting out of bed in the morning known as start-up pain
- Joint stiffness
- Joint swelling
No matter where the pain of the foot and ankle arthritis is located, it is important to determine the source that is causing pain and develop ways to relieve pain quickly.
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Find Help For Arthritis In Feet
If you suffer from arthritis in the foot, toe, or ankle, there are ways to find relief. You dont have to live with the pain from arthritis. From lifestyle changes to surgery, you have options. Working a pain specialist who has advanced experience treating patients with arthritis pain is your best bet to getting the relief you need.
You can find a PainDoctor.com-certified pain specialist in your area by clicking the button below. Theyll work closely with you to provide the comprehensive care you need to get back to a life with less pain.
The Best Shoes For Arthritis In The Feet
Proper footwear is a crucial component of any walking routine. If you have osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, or another form of arthritis affecting your feet, you should definitely consider orthotic shoes.
The podiatrist-designed styles from Vionic feature expertly engineered orthotics built right into the footbeds. This means each pair offers ample arch support and stability while promoting natural alignment and a healthy stride.
In addition to foot arthritis and ankle arthritis, Vionic shoes can help relieve discomforts associated with plantar fasciitis , Mortons neuroma, and overpronation. From comfortable sandals and work shoes to trainers and casual sneakers, we have it all.
Shop our mens and womens supportive footwear collections today!
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Arthritis In The Heel And Ankle
sompong_tom / Getty Images
Several types of arthritis, including OA, RA, AS, and PsA, can affect the heels and the ankles.
Symptoms of arthritis in the heel might include:
- Stiffness upon awakening in the morning
- Recurring pain in the heel
- Swelling of the heel
- Limited movement
- Skin changes, including rashes and growths
Inflammation at the heel from RA, AS, or PsA can lead to conditions that cause heel pain. This might include Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, or retrocalcaneal bursitis, a condition in which the bursa becomes inflamed, causing pain and swelling.
The ankle is not affected by arthritis as often as other joints, but it can be a source of severe pain and instability when it is affected. Additional symptoms of ankle arthritis include swelling and stiffness of the ankle and problems with mobility. Ankle arthritis will eventually affect gaitthe way a person walks.
Most Common Types Of Arthritis In The Feet
There are several types of arthritis that can affect the feet and ankles. If youre experiencing symptoms that seem as though they could be arthritis, youre not alone. But you want to make sure youre getting the right treatment and the proper diagnosis. Whether you have symptoms that indicate top-of-foot arthritis or other areas, its important to find out the real root cause of your pain. You can get your arthritis pain treated more successfully if you know exactly what type of arthritis youre dealing with.
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Precautions To Keep In Mind Before Exercising
If youre new to exercise, its always smart to first talk to your doctor to make sure the exercises are safe and appropriate for you, without exacerbating inflammation or aggravating joint pain. Likewise, if youve had surgery on your foot or ankle, get guidance from your doctor or podiatrist on what exercises are safe for you.More tips to help protect your joints:
Start slowly. Ease your joints into exercise if you havent been active for a while, say experts. Push too hard too fast, and you can hurt yourself or worsen joint pain, says Dr. Zinkin. Go easy at first, then increase the length and intensity of your work out as you progress.
Move gently. At the start of every exercise activity, start with slow gentle stretches or a ball massage to help warm up ligaments and get joints moving though a range of motion, says Dr. Silverman. Dont force any stretches and keep your movements slow and easy. People sometimes feel like the more they do, or the harder they push, the better, but thats not true, especially when youre first starting out and when you have arthritis, adds Dr. Zinkin.
Stop if your foot hurts. Take a break when your joints start to ache. If you feel any new joint pain or pain that is sharp, stabbing, or constant, its time to stop.
Exercise Tips For Arthritic Feet And Ankles
Pain in the feet and ankles is commonplace for arthritis sufferers, especially as aging causes a progression of the condition. The human foot has 30 joints, and each one can become a source of pain and stiffness.
At Washington Foot & Ankle Sports Medicine in Kirkland, Washington, our podiatrists work with you to help mitigate the effects of arthritis on your feet and ankles. Part of living with arthritis is staying active, so here are seven exercises tips you can implement for better flexibility and reduced inflammation.
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