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OSTEOARTHRITIS
Osteoarthritis is the progressive loss of articular cartilage that protects the joints, due to wear and tear on the joint.
It causes new bone and cartliage formation (osteophytes) at the joint margins. This in turn causes a narrowing of the joint spaces and pain as the joint surfaces rub together.
Causes
The most common cause of osteoarthritis is trauma through wear and tear on the joint surfaces. Some people have a genetic / hereditry predisposition for localised osteoarthritis in one or more joints. Other factors such as body weight increases the wear and tear on lower limb joints and therefore increase the chance of developing osteoarthritis.
Treatment
Osteoarthritis can be treated with anti-inflammatory medication, excercise to maintain mobility in the joints, and in severe, cases surgical intervention may be required. When osteoarthritis is present in the feet and lower limbs, orthotics (custom-made shoe inserts) may be used to stablise the joints and therefore prevent and / or slow the progression of wear and tear on the joints.
Pain relieving creams can be found in our ONLINE PRODUCTS section.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Rheumatoid Arthritis (R/A) is a systemic disease which ultimately gives rise to joint deformities. R/A can present itself in the feet by:
- deforming the toes
- affecting the ankle joint resulting in the feet collapsing inward
- weakening bones through osteoporosis
- muscle pain and weakness
- nodule growth
Your podiatrist can look at ways to:
- reduce pain
- reduce joint destruction
- avoid deformities
- improve mobility
Treatment can include all of the following:
- reduction and prevention of calluses and corns that develop over joints and nodules.
- padding or special insoles (orthotics) can be manufactured to relieve pressure areas and make walking more comfortable.
- modification of footwear can make shoes more accomadative, and advice can be given on the most appropriate footwear.
- nails can be adequately maintained especially if they become thick or ingrown (this is often a side effect of medication used in the treatment of R/A).
Pain relieving creams can be found in our ONLINE PRODUCTS section.
