To better understand how to live and work with arthritis, it is important to know some basic
facts. For example, there are over 100 kinds of arthritis, all of which have something to do with
one or more joints of the body. A joint is a meeting of two bones for the purpose of allowing
movement. Arthritis means “inflammation of the joint” or “problems with the joint.”
There are many types of arthritis. The inflammatory types are often marked by
episodes of stiffness, heat, redness and/or swelling, and pain. Patients often
instinctively limit movement in the involved joint(s), which has spin-off effects
on other movement and gait. For most people arthritis means living with pain.
As a day-in, day-out companion, pain is exhausting. That’s why many medical
 professionals dealing with arthritis are turning to Pedorthists to help their
patients function better and to help relieve their patients’ pain.

Pedorthics is the design, manufacture, modification and fit of footwear, including foot orthosis, to alleviate lower extremity problems caused by disease, congenital defect, overuse or injury. Footwear can change a person’s balance, improve their body alignment, alter the way they stand or walk. For people with arthritis, pedorthics can be the difference between being able to watch, and being able to do.

For people suffering with arthritis, change is inevitable, and it is not always for the better. It is good to know that although arthritis is America’s number one crippler, all arthritis can be helped. The Arthritis Foundation reports that 37 million men, women, and children are affected by arthritis in the U.S. Professional care, educational programs and intelligent self-care can help prevent tragedy and improve the quality of life of almost every person suffering with arthritis.

Compton Orthopedic suggestions on Arthritic foot care:

• Check your feet often. They are critical to your ability to remain mobile. Inspect your toes and between them daily for blisters, cuts and scratches. Inspect your feet for red areas on both the tops of your toes and the sides and bottoms of your feet. Using a hand mirror may help.
• Wash your feet daily and dry carefully, especially between the toes. Avoid using chemical agents to remove corns and calluses. Avoid cutting or trimming corns or calluses. Cut toenails straight across.
• Wear properly fitted stockings. Avoid wearing garters or other tight fitting bands around your legs.
• With arthritis, the position of the bones in your feet can change. You may have to change or modify your footwear often. Shoes should be fitted by a professional and should be comfortable at the time of purchase. Do not depend on them to stretch out with wear.
• Proper fit of shoes is important. Size, as well as shape, should be considered. There should be adequate width and depth to avoid pressure on toes. The back of the shoe should be snug around your heel. If you cannot purchase comfortable shoes, ask a foot care specialist for advice.
• Plan ahead to spend short periods of time walking when your feet are painful. If you have unusual pain in your feet for longer than one or two hours after you have been walking, you have probably overdone it. Sit down and rest your feet.
• Lose excess weight so that your feet won’t have to carry it.
• If you have painful overlapping toes, or you feel like you are walking on rocks, tell your medical specialist. If your foot is turning in, or your shoes are wearing unevenly, call this to the attention of your foot care specialist. If you notice your ankle turns in when you walk, you may need to wear a corrective insert or Orthotic in your shoe. See your foot care specialist.
• The most comfortable shoe may not be the most fashionable. However, there are well-designed and good looking shoes that will make your feet look good and feel good.

The key to success is to make the best of it. The goals of any treatment program are to reduce joint swelling, relieve pain and stiffness, and help you function as normally as possible. Your treatment program should be designed by a medical professional to meet your own specific needs. The program should be based on how severe your arthritis is, how long you’ve had it, which joints are affected, your general symptoms, other health problems and medications, as well as your age, occupation, and daily activities. Following a proper treatment program early on may help control damage and prevent future problems.

There is no known nutritional cure for arthritis, but there are many reasons to eat well. It will help reduce flare-ups, make you feel healthier, and boost your energy. Of course, being overweight increases pressure on the joints, so it only makes good sense to reduce weight and reduce pressure. So follow the food pyramid and cut saturated fats, eat plenty of complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables. You will get the best results from your treatment program if you stick with it at all times, even when you are feeling well.

Regular exercise is very important to keeping your joints flexible. It also helps strengthen the muscles that help keep your joints stable. Exercise can also help you improve your cardiovascular and overall fitness. Talk to your arthritis health professional about the best exercise options for you.

Walking is a great way to condition your heart and lungs, strengthen bones and muscles, relieve tension, control weight, and generally feel good. Walking is easy, inexpensive, safe, and accessible. Most people with arthritis can walk as a fitness exercise. Of course, you should wear shoes that fit properly and are designed to give you good foot support, protection and comfort.

It can be helpful to talk to someone working through a similar condition as yourself. If you are not a member of an arthritis support group, consider it. Living with arthritis can generate a number of complex feelings, feelings that people tend to keep inside. It is important to let others know how you feel and how they can help. Those who learn to share their feelings and actively manage their condition have better results. Being honest with yourself and with others, helps build relationships that will help you feel good about your outlook.