Many older Americans suffer from arthritis, but genetics can also cause younger adults to suffer from it as well. No matter how old you are, Arthritis is painful and can interrupt a person’s day due to the inflammation and swelling.
Arthritis is common in feet, hands, fingers, knees, and shoulders. It can impact your feet (and whole body) in negative ways making it difficult to walk and move around. You can have a flare-up due to certain foods or wearing improper shoes. This article is going to look at what arthritis is, what causes this disorder, the different types, and how it can impact your feet.
What is Arthritis?
When defined simply, arthritis is inflammation and swelling in your joints. Areas impacted vary from patient to patient, and areas where that patient was injured are more prone to having problems before the rest of your body. Arthritis can be a problem itself, or it can be a symptom of a larger problem ranging from different diseases including autoimmune disorders. There are approximately 40 million Americans with arthritis, and it can be debilitating for many, causing disability for some and making many have to take frequent breaks as well as taking medication. It can impact your feet, as well as other joints throughout your body from your hands to knees and even your shoulders.Â
What Causes It?
There are different causes for arthritis, and if you’re suffering from  sore joints it’s a good idea to get them checked by a medial professional. The sooner you find out the cause and which type you have, the easier it will be to treat and keep yourself healthy. A few causes are:
- Injuries, as mentioned above.
- Hereditary and genetic conditions.
- Various bacterial and viral infections.
- Inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Drugs such as street drugs and prescription medication.
- An autoimmune disease syndrome.Â
The Different Types
Arthritis not only has several different causes but also has different types. Many of which can impact your feet negatively if not caught early and treated properly. Some of the different types are:
- Osteoarthritis: This is the most common form and is often found in older individuals. It is a degenerative disease caused by wear and tear, but can also be jump started by severe injuries such as sports injuries or a car wreck.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: This is a disorder that can be relatively rare, but is debilitating for those who suffer from it. It is an autoimmune disease and impacts multiple small joints at the onset of the disease and can heavily impact your feet. If you catch it in time, you can treat it and manage the pain while also ensuring that you have minimal deformities from RA.
- Gout: Gout is another form of arthritis that can impact your feet drastically. It is caused by uric acid buildup in the system, causing severe swelling, inflammation, and pain. The most common area affected by gout is the big toe.Â
How Does it Impact Your Feet?
When you have arthritis, it can impact your feet by causing lack of mobility, making it difficult for you to do things on your own. You may even need help getting around depending on how severe the case of arthritis is, and many times a light case of arthritis can develop to a more severe one if you do not take proper care of the disorder.
If you start noticing pain in your feet that will not go away, it is time to go to a doctor or podiatrist. Your doctor will look at your feet and run tests to establish which form of arthritis you may have in order to treat you properly. Once your doctor figures it out, he or she will then seek treatment. Treatment can range from NSAIDs, prescription medications, orthotic shoes, and other treatments depending on the condition and your doctor.
If you are looking for great orthotic shoes to help with arthritis, The Orthotic Shop is the place for you! We have a great selection ranging from different name brands to custom orthotics to ensure you get the best treatment possible. Take a look around to find the shoes that will work for you and talk with your doctor about whether or not you need to get custom made orthotic shoes.