Definition

Arthritis is a disease characterized by the inflammation ofthe cartilage and lining of the joints.

Inflammation causes redness, warmth. pain and swelling.

Osteoarthritis

There are many different types of arthritis. The most commontype is called osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis causes excessive strain and the wearing awayof cartilage in the joints of the foot. Movement becomes very difficult and painful. The pain andswelling worsens while standing or walking, and stiffness usually occurs after periods of rest.

Gout

Gout is another form of arthritis that also leads to footcomplications. Excess uric acid crystals collect in and around the joints of the big toe. The big toe joint iscommonly the focal point due to the stress and pressure it experiences during walking and other weightbearing activities. This often leads to severe pain in the big toe. Men are more likely to develop goutyarthritis than women.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Another type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. It can developat any age and there is no known use for this condition. Rheumatoid arthritis is the mostcrippling form of the disease that can affect people of all ages. It can use severe deformities of the jointswith associated fatigue of the entire body.

People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis often developsevere forefoot problems such as bunions, hammer toes, claw toes, and others.

Cause

There are many causes of arthritis. Heredity plays a majorrole. However, arthritic symptoms can develop due to many other factors. Some of these includebacterial and viral infections, prescription and illegal drugs, traumatic injuries, and bowel disorderssuch as ileitis and colitis.

Forefoot problems such as hammer toes, claw toes, mallettoes, and bunions often develop as a result of arthritis, particularly Rheumatoid arthritis. Problemscan also develop in the heel and ankle area due to the erosion of the involved joints.

Treatment andPrevention

Conservative treatment (non-surgical treatment) of thearthritic foot includes proper footwear,orthotics, and/or forefoot supports. Arthritic footwearshould provide the following benefits:

• High, wide toe box (high and wide space in the toe area).
• Removable insoles forfitting flexibility and the option to insert orthotics if necessary.
• Rocker Soles designed to facilitate ambulating (walking) andto reduce stress and pain at the ball-of-the-foot.

Arthritic footwear should also accommodate swelling of thefoot. Orthotics designed to provide comfort, support and extra cushioning arealso recommended. Orthotics made with a material called Plastazote are oftenrecommended because they mold to your feet to provide customized comfort. The properfootwear and orthotics will reduce pressure to provide a comfortable andhealthy environment for the foot.

Forefoot supports such as gel toe caps, gel toe shields, geltoe straighteners and others can oftenprovide relief.

If the problem persists, consult your foot doctor.

  LP footcare products like digicare crests help in relieving stress on the joint and reduces pain.