Arthritis FAQs

How does arthritis affect the feet?

Arthritis is not a single condition but a group of more than 100 conditions that cause joint inflammation. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, results from wear and tear over time, though the conditions grouped under the rubric of arthritis have various causes (including immune-system problems).

Your feet are especially prone to osteoarthritis because the joints in your feet have a very heavy workload, bearing your weight as you walk, run, stand, and go about your day.

When you have arthritis, you may try to avoid putting more stress on the affected joints, but that’s tricky when you have arthritis in your feet since you use them for so much. Because of this, foot arthritis can greatly impact your quality of life.

Arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, commonly affects the midfoot or the arch of your foot, though joint inflammation may also appear in your toes or ankles. In addition to osteoarthritis, forms of arthritis also affecting the feet include gout (caused by a buildup of uric acid, most commonly affecting the big toe) and rheumatoid arthritis (a condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks your own tissue).

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

Arthritis varies depending on what type it is and what joints are affected, but there are some common symptoms that suggest arthritis is what’s causing your foot pain. Schedule an appointment at Foot & Ankle Specialty Clinic if you’re experiencing:

• Pain and stiffness that’s worse when you wake up, or when you go from lying down to standing up

• Difficulty moving around or putting weight on your foot

• Decreased flexibility and range of motion

• Change in your foot’s appearance, including flatness

• Swelling on top of your foot that looks like bone sticking out

• Redness, tenderness, and warmth in the area where there’s pain

• Clicking and popping noises in your feet

Though these symptoms are painful, they often improve with conservative treatment.

What is the treatment for arthritis in the feet?

The expert team at Foot & Ankle Specialty Clinic helps you manage the pain of arthritis through pain-relief medications, including anti-inflammatories and steroids injected directly into the affected joint. They also advise you on ways to keep your feet comfortable and put less pressure on them. They may recommend special footwear, including orthotics, teach you stretches to improve the flexibility in your joints and help you lose weight, if necessary, so you put less pressure on your feet.

With treatment, you can adapt to arthritis in your feet and enjoy an active life. To book an appointment at Utah Podiatry, a foot and ankle clinic,, call or request one using the online booking tool today.