Arthritis

Treatments for Arthritis

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • Bunions are common amongst rheumatoid arthritic patients (refer to photograph below).
    
  • Corns, calluses, thick nails and ulcers can occur due to the occurrence of bunions.

  Osteoarthritis

  • Hallux rigidus may occur, this is a condition in which the big toe becomes very stiff and painful to move.
    
  • Corns, calluses and ulcers can occur due to osteoarthritis affecting any bone in the foot.
    
  • If the ankle joint is affected then a patient may suffer from pain from various tendons that may be affected.

  • In both forms of arthritis the treatment applied by the chiropodist will be very similar.

    • Treatment of corns, calluses, thick nails and ulcers. This may involve paring down the callus and corns and applying redistributing padding.
      
    • The prescription of orthopedic footwear.
      
    • Protective shields.
      
    • Orthosis (insoles) to redistribute pressure away from the affected region.
      
    • Close communication with other specialist areas such as physiotherapists, rhematologists and specialist nurses.
      
    • In the case of a rheumatoid arthritic patient, close communication between the chiropodist and the GP may be necessary. The GP may prescribe the appropriate anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also important to consider that rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. It can affect other parts of the body and may slow down healing response times.