How a Podiatrist Helps with Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Feet

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) doesn’t just affect your hands. For many people, it shows up in the feet first. And let me tell you—when your feet hurt, everything feels harder. Walking, standing, even sleeping can become a challenge.

As someone who sees this in clinic all the time, I know how frustrating it can be. But there’s good news: podiatrists are here to help.

First, What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

RA is an autoimmune condition. That means your immune system gets a bit confused and starts attacking healthy joints. In the feet, this often shows up as:

• Pain, especially in the balls of your feet or ankles

• Swelling and stiffness that won’t go away

• Trouble walking or standing for too long

• Changes in the shape of your feet over time

It's not just about sore joints—it can really affect your day-to-day life.

So, What Can a Podiatrist Do?

Here’s how we step in to make things better:

1. Pain Relief

The first goal is always to reduce pain. We might use:

• Custom-made orthotics (soft inserts for your shoes)

• Padding to protect sore spots

• Gentle treatments to reduce pressure on painful joints

It’s all about making walking more comfortable.

2. Support and Stability

RA can change how your foot works. To stop things from getting worse, we look at:

• Shoe advice (yes, comfy can still look good!)

• Bracing if your joints need extra help

• Exercises to keep you strong and steady

The more stable your feet are, the more confident you’ll feel moving around.

3. Preventing Future Problems

We keep an eye out for things like:

• Skin breakdown or ulcers

• Changes in the shape of your foot (like bunions or collapsed arches)

• Ingrown toenails or infections (which are more common when RA is active)

Catching these early makes a big difference.

What About When Things Get Really Tough?

If your RA flares up badly or foot shape changes a lot, we might recommend:

• Special footwear or ankle-foot orthoses

• Referral for surgery (if needed—but that’s a last resort)

• Working with your rheumatology team to make sure everyone’s on the same page

Real Life: You’re Not Alone

We’ve helped patients who could barely get through their weekly shop without pain. With the right support plan—some foot treatments, custom insoles, and a few changes in their daily routine—they’re now walking every day without needing to stop and rest.

That’s the difference proper podiatry care can make.

Final Thoughts

Living with rheumatoid arthritis in your feet isn’t easy, but you don’t have to just put up with the pain. A podiatrist can help you feel steadier, more comfortable, and more in control of your health.

Want to chat about how we can support you or a loved one? We’re just a call away.