Arthritis is often associated with older age, and while you are more likely to develop arthritis as you get older, it can occur at any age and usually develops between the ages of 20 and 50.

There are numerous forms of arthritis but Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are common. OA is the most common and is caused by trauma and stress to the cartilage around the joints, which can be as a result of general wear and tear, or an injury. OA is very common in foot joints. RA is one of the more severe types of arthritis although it is much less common. RA affects around 2 per cent of the UK population and is twice are prevalent in women than it is men. RA occurs when the body’s immune system turns on itself, causing inflammation in the joint lining.

How to Treat Arthritis

If you begin to experience foot pain then often a chiropodist is the first port of call. The chiropodist should be able to advise you if it is arthritis that is causing the problem, and consequently will refer you for further treatment by a physiotherapist, or alternative if there is another foot related issue that is causing the pain.

The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists is urging people to be vigilant about pain in these areas to help aid detection and improve quality of life and treatment. Often recombining insoles and suitable footwear to limit joint damage can be useful, as well as manual therapy from a physiotherapist. As medical treatment advances, more help than ever is available to aid ongoing foot problems.

Podiatrist Lorraine Jones from The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists said: “Arthritis of any form can cause great pain for the sufferer but the good news is that there are things you can do to help prevent arthritis and there are also ways to ease the symptoms if you do develop it. Maintaining a healthy weight and keeping active through low impact sports such as swimming and cycling can help to prevent arthritis in later life, as can choosing supportive footwear which reduces pressure on the joints. The key to treatment is early detection so if you do experience pain, swelling and stiffness in your joints, see a podiatrist or health professional for advice.” (feetforlife.org)

We have chiropodists at the Allerton Health Centre for 2 days each week and physiotherapists for 3 days each week, so if you or any member of your family are suffering from foot pain, please do get in touch!

The full article can be seen at www.feetforlife.org