What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the cartilage and lining of the body's joints, and is often accompanied by an increase in fluid in the joints. Inflammation causes redness, warmth, pain and swelling. About 40 million Americans suffer from arthritis, and 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.

Various Forms of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis
The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis causes excessive strain and wearing of cartilage in the joints of the foot. Movement becomes very difficult and painful. Pain and swelling worsens while standing or walking, and stiffness usually occurs after periods of rest.

Gout
Another form of arthritis that also leads to foot complications, gout causes excess uric acid crystals collect in and around the joints of the big toe. The big toe is commonly the focal point due to the stress and pressure placed on the big toe 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
This can develop at any age, and there is no known cause for this condition. The most crippling form of arthritis, this disease can affect people of all ages. Often causing severe deformities of the joints and associated fatigue of the entire body, rheumatoid arthritis can cause severe forefoot problems such as bunions, hammer toes or claw toes.

Causes

There are many causes of arthritis. Heredity plays a major role, but arthritic symptoms can develop due to many other factors including 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.

Prevention and Treatment

Conservative, non-surgical treatment of the arthritic foot includes proper footwear, orthotics, and/or forefoot supports.

Arthritic footwear can provide relief in a variety of ways:

• A high, wide toe box, offering high and wide space in the toe area, allows ample space for the foot.
• Removable insoles allow for fitting flexibility and the option to insert orthotics if necessary.
• Rocker soles designed to facilitate walking reduce stress and pain at the ball of the foot.
• Arthritic footwear should always allow for possible swelling of the foot.
• Orthotics designed to provide comfort, support and extra cushioning are recommended.
• Orthotics made with a material called plastazote are often recommended because they mold to the foot to provide customized comfort.
• Proper footwear and orthotics reduce pressure to provide a comfortable and healthy environment for the foot.
• Forefoot supports such as gel toe caps, gel toe shields and gel toe straighteners can often provide relief.

Call 800.447.0151 or email us to know more about which PAL products are best for arthritis!