Arthritic Foot Pain: Important Precautions!

The feet are one of the most hard-working parts of the body, supporting the body’s weight and walking thousands of miles during the normal person’s lifetime. And yet, most of us tend to ignore our feet, even when pain is involved. Then, once we become older, after years of abuse and neglect, arthritis begins to affect the feet as well.

It’s no wonder that foot problems and pain are one of the leading causes of disability and inactivity in the U.S. There are a number of precautions you can take to help insure that your feet will be taken care of, so that even problems such as arthritic foot pain will not be as serious.

Let’s look at what you can do in the “here and now” to avoid arthritis foot pain.

• Arthritic Foot Pain Precaution: Wear Proper Foot Attire

One of the most important things you can do for your feet is to always wear proper fitting shoes. Ill-fitting shoes can cause a number of problems for your feet. Bunions can occur, as can hammertoes and neuromas. All of these problems can cause excruciating foot pain. When the pain of arthritis sets in as well, it can sometimes almost seem unbearable. By wearing proper fitting shoes, many of these problems can be avoided, because your shoes won’t be rubbing, pinching or cramping your feet.

If your feet aren’t afflicted with these other types of problems, you will also be less likely to be afflicted with osteoarthritis later in life. If you already have foot pain or arthritis in the feet, wearing proper shoes with arch supports can help alleviate the pain, and prevent further damage to the feet. This can be even more important as you get older, because the natural padding in the feet, such as in the heel area, gets thinner with age.

Many health insurance plans and Medicare will pay all or a portion of the cost of special shoes for those with arthritic foot pain.  Check with your healthcare provider to see if you qualify; you will need a special prescription in order to receive this benefit.

• Arthritic Foot Pain Precaution: Exercise

It’s also important to consider the advantages of exercise, stretching and massage techniques for the feet. Lack of exercise can lead to the tendons in your feet becoming shortened, which can limit mobility, cause pain, and create other type of stress for the feet. Exercises that are designed to stretch the Achilles tendon, as well as exercises which stretch the balls of your feet and toes, can increase mobility and decrease pain and stiffness.

Massage techniques can also be used, such as kneading your toes and the balls of your feet, which will not only help alleviate pain, but also reduce swelling, inflammation and pain.

• Arthritic Foot Pain Precaution: Proper Foot Care

Another important point to consider regarding foot care and foot arthritis pain is that the rest of your body depends heavily upon your feet for proper alignment. Foot pain can cause you to walk differently, possibly favoring one foot or the other, or limping. This in turn can affect the joints in the ankles, knees, hips and spine.

If stress is placed upon these other joints, then they are at risk of developing problems as well, such as cartilage degeneration and arthritis. By taking careful care of your feet, and seeing a doctor promptly for relief of arthritic or other types of foot pain or problems, you’ll be helping to keep your entire body aligned and pain-free.

For more good reading on arthritis foot pain prevention, please see our article, 5 Easy Arthritis Foot Pain Relief Tips.