What are the best shoes for rheumatoid arthritis? – Medical News Today

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory form of arthritis. RA can cause a person’s joints to become swollen, leading to pain, unsteadiness, or misshapenness. If the symptoms affect the feet, a person may experience pain while walking. Wearing appropriate footwear may provide relief in such cases.

There are many forms of arthritis, including RA. This type of arthritis occurs when a person’s immune system does not work correctly and attacks the synovium, the lining of the joints.

The synovium becomes inflamed and thickened as a result, causing the affected joint to become tender and painful. A person with RA may notice that their joint has become red and swollen and is stiff to move.

Having RA can lead to pain while walking, particularly if a person is wearing inappropriate footwear. Wearing certain shoes, insoles, or orthopedic footwear can help relieve the pain of RA in the feet.

This article explains how RA affects a person’s feet. It also discusses features to look for in a shoe for RA and what shoes to choose and avoid.

According to the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS), about 90% of people with RA develop foot or ankle symptoms.

When RA affects the feet, a person may notice symptoms first appearing in their toes and around the balls of their feet. These RA symptoms may then develop in the middle and back of the foot and, eventually, the ankles.

RA in a person’s feet can cause symptoms such as:

RA typically affects joints symmetrically, so if symptoms appear in one foot, they will likely also develop in the other foot. Having RA in both feet may make walking difficult and painful.

Having RA can also cause further issues with the feet, such as:

Developing additional foot conditions can cause a person with RA further pain or discomfort while walking.

Footwear can be important when a person has RA. If a person is unable to walk without pain, it can lead to a reduced quality of life.

If a person with RA wears inappropriate shoes, this may lead to their condition worsening. Inappropriate shoes may also cause bunions or corns to become more pronounced or painful.

The American College of Rheumatology states that frequent low intensity exercise, such as walking, can help build muscle strength. Increases in muscle strength can improve a person’s health and reduce pressure on their joints. If a person is unable to walk regularly due to foot pain, they may lose out on these health benefits.

When choosing shoes to help relieve RA symptoms, there are a …….

Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/shoes-for-rheumatoid-arthritis