Arthritis and Your Feet

Does arthritis cause foot pain?

Arthritis is a major cause of foot pain. This is because each foot has 33 joints which can become affected by the disease. Foot

How a podiatric physician can help…

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 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. Forefoot supports such as gel toe caps, gel toe shields, gel toe straighteners and others can often provide relief.