How to Relieve Arthritis Foot Pain

Arthritic feet can cause great pain and misery because most of us must continue walking, even when our feet are not in tip-top shape. If you have arthritis in your feet, this means you have inflammation in your foot joints.

Things You'll Need

• Supportive shoes
• Orthotics (arch support)
• Ibuprofen
• Heat pack
• Cold pack

Instructions

What You Are Dealing With

1. Consider that you may have osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear form of arthritis. Generally, older people have osteoarthritis because their joints have been overused and simply become worn out. Some individuals have rheumatoid arthritis, which can disfigure toes and feet. Any or all of the joints in your feet can be affected by arthritis. When this happens, you may see changes in their structure. Getting arthritis in the arch is very common. Your big toe in particular may be affected and hurt as a result.

2. Bear in mind if your condition is inflammatory arthritis, this includes RA (rheumatoid arthritis), ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis (also called Reiter's syndrome) and psoriatic arthritis. RA will affect most of the joints in your foot, while reactive arthritis will attack the ankle as well as your feet and knees. Reactive arthritis is caused by an infection that develops in some other part of your body--primarily your urinary tract, genitals or your intestines--but the pain manifests elsewhere, including in your feet, according to the Mayo Clinic.

3. Inflammation, discomfort and swelling will occur if you have any kind of arthritis. The soft tissue in your feet as well as the tendons may especially hurt. Don't be surprised if the heel area on the sole, where tendons attach to the heel bone, hurts; this is fairly typical symptom of an arthritic foot.

Relief

1. Get rid of any calluses and corns. Arthritic feet already hurt, so you don't want to exacerbate the pain by ignoring other problems. If you remove the calluses and corns yourself, use a pumice stone or emery board and not a razor or knife. Preferably, have your foot doctor do it for you. If you have blisters or cuts and abrasions on your feet, clean them regularly, apply medication and then cover them with a bandage. This will prevent infection.

2. Massage your feet or get someone else to do it for you. Some people find relief when applying an ice pack. Others prefer using heat, as from a heating pad. Take a break and don't wear shoes all of the time. Your arthritic feet will appreciate it.

3. Realize that being overweight is putting stress on your feet--try to lose some pounds. If you engage in physical activities, make sure that you are wearing shoes that are the right size and provide adequate support.

4. Purchase supportive shoes and a corrective insole, called an orthotic. This will give your foot more support and protection.

5. Take an anti-inflammatory medication such an ibuprofen or aspirin, which will reduce pain.

References

• Foothealthcare.com
• Mayo Clinic