Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects more than just your joints. In many people, this condition also causes problems in the feet, leading to symptoms like pain, swelling, and stiffness. Unlike osteoarthritis, which typically impacts one specific joint, RA often manifests in both feet, affecting the same joints on each foot.
One of the most common early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in the feet is pain, which can vary in intensity. This pain may become more pronounced when standing, putting pressure on the feet, or moving the feet and ankles. Over time, these symptoms can cause your foot to become increasingly painful and difficult to use, leading to limited movement and challenges in everyday tasks.
In the feet, RA affects 26 bones, 30 joints, and over 100 supporting soft tissues, making it a complex condition to manage. The inflammation associated with RA can damage other parts of the body as well. The most common symptoms in the feet are pain, swelling, and stiffness, often felt in both feet simultaneously.
Healthline explains that more than 90 percent of people with RA will develop symptoms in the foot and ankle over the course of the disease. Early signs of ankle involvement include difficulty with inclines and stairs.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the most commonly occurring symptoms in RA are swelling, pain, and stiffness in joints. Osteoarthritis usually affects a few joints, whereas RA can impact multiple joints at once.
For more detailed information on the symptoms and treatments of rheumatoid arthritis in feet, you can visit resources like Verywell Health, Mayo Clinic, Verywell Health, and CreakyJoints.
It’s essential to understand the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on the feet to effectively manage the condition and maintain mobility and quality of life.
