I have developed pain in my foot and ankle over the last month. I have had toe pain and cramps in the past, but the pain in my foot feels almost like a sprain or like the small bones are broken. I can barely move my foot to the right at all without incredible discomfort and pain. Is this normal for R.A. or other forms of arthritis. Has anyone else experienced foot and ankle pain? Any suggestions?
THANKS MUCH
Becky
Becky,
I think many RA'ers have experienced ankle and foot pain. In the morning I always feel like I'm walking on broken glass. My feet swell frequently. I wore high top tennis shoes for a long time because it supported my ankles somewhat. I use parrafin was on my feet as well as my hands. It doesn't diminish the problem, but it really does feel good. I also wake up and turn on a heating pad first thing and use it on my most affected areas. Again it doesn't help the problem but it will make it easier to cope with. Of course shoe attire is essential, choose carefully, along with not standing on your feet for an extended amount of time. It is a balance between movement and rest. Best of luck, I hope you feel better soon.
Kim
Becky,
I agree with everything Kim relayed. In addition, what seems to help my "morning feet" is to direct my hot shower massage onto their tender spots. I also try to alternate different shoes from day to day.
Regards, Rana
Becky,
Sounds typical of RA pain to me. It eventually works out of it in my experience, and some days are better, some worse. Immobility is your enemy here. Don't overdo, but don't coddle it too much, either.
Kim's advice is good, and you might try alternating heat and cold.
Best to you,
zzoi
P.S. and Becky, have hope - I am not much worse off than I was 6 years ago when I was diagnosed. In fact, thinking about it, I'm better than I was then.
Becky,
If you can, invest in some custom orthodics. My ortho surgeon wrote me a prescription for a pair and they have worked wonders for that " broken glass feeling" and ankle pain. I know longer can wear shoes without them. The fat pads on my feet have been greatly reduced, and the orthodics really do a lot of good.
Leslie
Becky,
I have had RA for about 10 years now and I just recently started the Humeria injections I was recently put on the shot once a week. I have had terrible pain in my foot and ankle, at times I can't walk at all. I have a problem with knowing when to say when with my body. I just had a visit with my doc and he said that if my foot is not better in 6 weeks that he is going to send me to a specialist. I have had an MRI done on my foot and read by two different people and the results varied one said small stress fractures and the other said that there were stress markings. I am really frustrated with my foot and ankle situation. I have swelling on a daily basis and always have pain in it. The doc recently put me on steriods for 12 days and I had one day that was pain free. It was short and sweet. Is your foot and ankle pain anything like mine?
Well, I guess I'll jump in here with my tale of woe: My first RA symptom was foot pain (in November), that's what sent me to the doctor in the first place. It visits every joint in my body, but it has taken up permanent residence in my feet -- they're always achy. And lately I have sharp pain along the left side of my left foot. The Physical Therapist said my calf muscle are really tight. She gave me a vigorous calf & foot massage yesterday and showed me some gentle stretching exercises for calves and ankles. She said the pain on the side of my foot might be tendons. She is recommending orthotic inserts with arch support. She has given me lots of good tips like "use warm, not hot, and cool, not ice cold." And when it comes to stretching she always says "be nice!" She says "no pain no gain DOES NOT APPLY to people with RA!" I tried a cold pack on it this afternoon and it did not help, so at bedtime I'm going to try heat. Sometimes my husband uses a hand-held massager with a heat attachment on my feet. About the only shoes I have found to be comfortable at all are called Crocs. They have them at Von Maur and a few other stores at mall and online. Good luck with your poor tootsies!
Hi all,
I started with foot pain and I thought it was sprained and then I thought that I must have broken something, it hurt so bad. Foot pain has been a part of my arthritis for 24yrs, it comes and goes. I was sent to a foot specialist (podiatrist) who told me to get a pair of Birkenstock sandals and wear them when I was on my feet. I thought they were hideous but I bought a pair and I have been wearing them for the last 10 years. They really do help a lot and I still think they are ugly.
Hi all,
What sent me to the doctor initially was a swollen, achy feeling in my hands. But I had foot pain, especially in the morning, for many years before that. I just never paid much attention to it, until my hands started hurting as well. Now my feet hurt all the time, and like someone else mentioned, it feels like I'm walking on glass. I have orthotics, but they haven't helped. I can't find any shoes (at least not that I can afford) that I can wear without pain. And since I work in retail, I'm on my feet from morning until night. By the end of the day, my feet hurt so badly I can't hardly walk. My toes and ankles are always swollen.
Dyna and Sandy, are the shoes you've found expensive?
Cris
Hi Cris,
Birkenstocks are expensive but they are worth the money. Its the cork foot bed that makes them so expensive. Cork conforms to your feet and they allow plenty of room for your toes, nothing gets cramped. You can find them on sale at shoe stores and some department stores. Some shoe stores specialize in them. Another way is to go into a store that sells them so you can learn what size you need - they are in european sizes and what style you like. Then go to a computer and type in Birkenstock and you will find lots and lots of places that sell them. Might as well get the best price. Hope this helps, I know what its like to have to work on your feet all day and have your feel hurting really bad. I worked in surgery for 20+ years until I had to quit and go on disability.
Barb
Becky,
Foot and ankle pain is usually a fairly common problem with RA. Inflammation can cause an incredible amount of pain at times, BUT if this pain is constant and you never have relief, it certainly sounds like something that needs to be evaluated ASAP. You may have a tendon problem if you notice the pain mostly on movement. Tendons can become very imflamed and end up rupturing, although most of the tendons in the foot and ankle tear gradually....like a shredding type of tearing, which usually takes a long while to rupture...except for the achilles tendon, which tears laterally and can happen with little warning.
I've torn a tendon in my foot and ankle and it was NOT a pleasant experience!! The pain ran from my ankle down into my foot and was worse when I tried to move it. Sometimes the pain made me sick to my stomach it got so bad. I had surgery on it and it was a very long recovery, but I'm really happy that I had it done. That tendon has been great ever since!
As for shoes...I'd highly recommend Birkenstocks!! I have 20+ pairs of them and swear they've kept my foot problems from worsening. I would not be able to work if I did not wear Birks. Even an expensive pair of New Balance athletic shoes with expensive orthotics were not comfortable for me.
A few years ago, soon after my dx of RA, someone told me that if I started wearing the Birks before I had foot and toe deformity, I could prevent my feet from getting as bad as they could. I took the advice and got my first pair of Birks and I've not regretted it since. They're mostly all I wear, especially around the house and when I'm going to be on my feet a lot.
Get that foot and ankle evaluated so that you know if it's something to be concerned about. You don't want to let it go til it gets to a point where you can't do anything about it. Start with your RD and ask him/her what you should do about it, but don't just let it go.
Take care!
Carol
Thanks for the information on the Birks Barb and Carol. I'll have to check into them. My feet and ankles seem to be getting worse by the day. I need some relief! The Birks do sound like they're well worth the cost.
Cris
Has anyone ever heard of hyaluronic acid or HA for short?
There was a Connie Chung Special on ABC television called the "Fountain of Youth" about the benefits of HA. Evidently there is a village in Japan where the inhabitants live to 90 and 100 years old without the usual aches and pains. Scientists who studied the reasons concluded that it was due to their diet of root vegetables and other substances rich in hyaluronic acid.
Evidently HA is something the body normally produces naturally to lubricate joints, but as we grow older the production of HA diminishes. That is, of course, unless we live in that village in Japan and eat our way to health.
I've heard of some pretty impressive examples of people with joint and foot pain who took hyaluronic acid supplements and benefited greatly.
With all the drug side effects you hear about maybe a non-drug solution is the way to go.
Has anyone else heard anything about hyaluronic acid, and , if so what have you heard?
Jack
THANKS TO ALL for responding to my question about foot and ankle pain. I was away for a few days, and been pretty sick, so am finally getting back to the forum. I was so pleased to see how many people responded, and although the news wasn't all good, it was reassuring to know that this is a commom RA problem and that I'm not just going crazy. I see my doc this week and am going to have her take a look and see what's going on. I have had a pair of Birkenstocks in the past, but am definitely in need of a new pair, so will likely invest in a couple pairs. I will also try the hot and cold. I'll keep you all posted.
THANKS AGAIN,
Becky