16 Jul Diagnosing RA In The Foot
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can strike anywhere in the body. The feet are composed of several tiny bones, making them a prime target for RA. At Cherrywood Foot Care, we provide comprehensive care to patients dealing with RA in their feet. Continue reading to learn more about how we diagnose RA in the foot and how we can help.
RA In The Foot
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful and chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakes the joint lining (synovium) for a dangerous pathogen and tries to destroy this lining. The damage to your joint tissue causes significant inflammation and stiffness in the joints. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in the feet can vary, but some symptoms may include:
- Persistent aches in the feet, especially after standing for long periods, walking, or running.
- Stiffness and pain in the toe joints or joints in the foot.
- Swelling in your ankles or toe joints.
- Warmth in areas of the foot even if your body is relatively cool.
These symptoms can cause your foot pain to become unbearable over time. In addition, a long-term symptom associated with RA is joint destruction. When the bone and joint tissue breaks down, it can make your foot joints weaker and painful to use. You may also notice a visible change in your foot shape as a result of this destruction. Changes in your foot shape can lead to other foot deformities, including hammertoes or bunions.
Treating RA In The Foot
Unfortunately, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. However, several treatments are available to reduce some of your symptoms during a flare-up and reduce their frequency. Some of the ways our team can treat RA in the foot may include:
- Rest.
- Warm compresses for chronic inflammation.
- Wearing custom orthotics to reduce pressure in your feet.
- Wearing a brace to relieve pressure on the joints.
- Steroid injections.
- Surgery to remove inflamed tissue, damaged cartilage, or complete joint replacement.
Contact Cherrywood Foot Care
At Cherrywood Foot Care, our team understands how painful RA symptoms can be for patients. We also know how to effectively treat this disorder so you can improve your quality of life. If you are dealing with unbearable pain in your feet, you should not hesitate to seek treatment. Contact Cherrywood Foot Care today to schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified podiatrists.