Arthritis

Arthritis is a destructive disease which affects the body’s joints. Arthritis is a major cause of foot pain. This is because each foot has 33 joints which can become affected by the disease. Two of the most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis wears away the cartilage in the joints, it often affects the hips, knees, spine, finger, or foot joints. Movement becomes very difficult and painful. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis. It can develop at any age and there is no known cause for this condition. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most crippling form of the disease that can effect people of all ages. It can cause severe deformities of the joints with associated fatigue of the entire body. People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis often develop severe forefoot problems such as bunions, hammer toes, claw toes, and others. Cause: Heredity plays a major role in the cause for arthritis. However, arthritic symptoms may develop due to other factors. Treatment and Prevention: Increasingly, doctors recommend exercise for arthritis patients to maintain flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. Normal usage of joints helps maintain a person’s muscles, ligaments and other joint supporting structures. The pain associated with arthritis can decrease the ambulatory capacity of the patient. Shoe modifications and foot orthoses may be crucial in allowing more comfortable walking, and help patients retain or enhance their mobility.