Arthritis in Your Feet: The Do’s and Don’ts for Daily Comfort

If you live with arthritis in your feet or ankles, you know it can turn simple daily tasks into a painful challenge. But managing foot and ankle arthritis can be just as hard, which is why we at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists are here to provide the dos and don’ts to feeling less pain and stiffness in your joints.

Dos for Managing Foot and Ankle Arthritis

Do Choose the Right Footwear: It’s all about cushioning, arch support, a wide toe box, and stable soles that don’t twist easily. These features help absorb shock, redistribute pressure, and reduce stress on your painful joints. Many of our patients find rocker-bottom soles helpful because they reduce the need for painful joint movement.

Do Stay Active: It might seem counterintuitive, but gentle movement actually helps. Low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, or walking on softer surfaces can help lubricate your joints, maintain flexibility, and strengthen the muscles supporting your feet and ankles without excessive jarring. Even simple ankle circles and toe wiggles throughout the day can make a difference.

Do Prioritize Stretching and Strengthening: Work on maintaining flexibility in your ankles and toes. Regular stretches for your calf muscles and Achilles tendon can reduce strain on the foot joints. Strengthening the small muscles of your feet can improve stability and support. A physical therapist or podiatrist can guide you to the right exercises.

Do Use Custom Orthotics: If recommended by your podiatrist, custom orthotics can be a game-changer. These personalized inserts are designed to provide specific support, cushion painful areas, and properly align your feet and ankles, which can reduce abnormal stress on arthritic joints.

Do Control Your Weight: Every extra pound puts magnified stress on your weight-bearing foot and ankle joints. But maintaining a healthy weight reduces this burden, which can alleviate pain and slow the progression of joint damage.

Don’ts for Managing Foot and Ankle Arthritis

Don’t Tough It Out: Pain is your body’s alarm system, so ignoring it can worsen inflammation, accelerate joint damage, and lead to more debilitating issues. Seek early evaluation from your podiatrist.

Don’t Overdo High-Impact Activities: While staying active is good, high-impact sports like running on hard surfaces, jumping, or intense court sports can put excessive stress on arthritic joints. These can trigger flares and worsen long-term damage.

Don’t Skip Your Medications: Adhere to any prescribed medications, whether they are anti-inflammatories or disease-modifying drugs, and follow your podiatrist’s or rheumatologist’s comprehensive treatment plan.

Don’t Neglect Daily Foot Checks: Regularly inspect your feet for any new redness, swelling, skin changes, or developing corns and calluses. These can indicate areas of increased pressure or inflammation related to your arthritis.

If you’re experiencing foot pain, discomfort, or changes in how you walk, come see the expert team at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists. With locations in Tucson and Oro Valley areas of Pima County, Arizona, Bradley A. Whitaker, D.P.M., FACFAS, Peter C. Merrill, D.P.M., AACFAS, and Zeno Pfau, D.P.M., are here for you. Call us at (520) 575-0800 or contact us online!