Looking After Your Feet

As reported in weekly update called, “RheumNow,” a team of health professionals in the Netherlands have developed new guidelines for foot care in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). It is estimated that 90% of people with RA have foot problems. These guidelines begin with the suggestion of regular check-ups of the feet by a rheumatology specialist to obtain a patient history of foot disease, foot inspection, and palpation of foot joints for the detection of swelling and pain.

Selection of supportive shoes is vital. Choosing shoes should focus on their function rather than fashion. The ‘toe box’ of the shoe should have lots of room and the sole should be firm to allow for a heel-to-toe gait. Other shoe features that are helpful include:

light in weight
adjustable
spacious to allow for enough length and width when in a standing position
no inside seams
removable insoles to provide room for custom-made orthotics as needed

Click here to learn more about this report, which also includes treatment strategies.

Carolyn Whiskin is the Pharmacy Manager for Charlton Health. Carolyn specializes in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, pharmaceutical compounding, women’s health, pain and smoking cessation. Carolyn has won provincial and national awards for her commitment to patient care and public service.

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