Arthritis in the feet can have negative effects on other parts of the body aside from the immediate joints due to your ligaments, tendons and muscles being forced to work harder to maintain stability. This overuse can cause injuries to those ligaments, tendons and muscles, including ankle sprains, torn ligaments and greater likelihood of falls. There are two types of arthritis; osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is common in older people and is a result of wear and tear over time. This particularly affects the feet and knees as they are weight bearing joints. Osteoarthritis usually causes pain and discomfort around the joint and may reduce range of motion affecting activities such as walking.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune condition that causes the body to work against itself, breaking down joints and resulting in pain, swelling, stiffness and deformity around the joint. Your range of motion as well as ability to walk can become affected with rheumatoid arthritis like osteoarthritis, as toes can become deformed and hammered.

At Mint Foot Care, to determine the severity of the condition we will examine your feet, perform a biomechanical assessment and video gait analysis.

Based on the findings an arthritis treatment plan will be prescribed. A combination of arthritis treatment options may be prescribed including:

• Footwear for adequate cushioning and support.
• Custom orthotics and/or appropriate footwear to provide extra support and stability.
• Advice on general podiatry services for foot and nail care if it is difficult to self-care.