Rheumatism and Foot Care.

There are more than 200 different kinds of rheumatism. The most common rheumatic condition is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic disease that attacks multiple joints throughout the body. It most often starts in the small joints of the hands and feet, and usually affects the same joints on both sides of the body.

The joints of your body are covered with a lining (synovium) that lubricates the joint and makes it easier to move. Rheumatoid Arthritis causes an overactivity of this lining. It swells and becomes inflamed, destroying the joint, as well as the ligaments and other tissues that support it. 

More than 90% of people with rheumatoid arthritis develop symptoms in the foot and ankle over the course of the disease.

The Rheumatic Foot is characterized by various complications:

• Difficulty with inclines and stairs are the early signs of ankle involvement. As the disease progresses, simple walking and standing can become painful.
• The main function of the hindfoot the side-to-side motion of the foot. Difficulty walking on uneven ground or gravel are the initial signs. Pain is common just beneath the smaller lower leg bone on the outside of the foot.
• As the disease progresses, the alignment of the foot may shift as the bones move out of their normal positions. The changes that occur to the front of the foot are unique to patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. These problems include bunion, claw toed and pain under the ball of the foot.
• There can also be very painful bumps on the ball of the foot, creating calluses. The bumps develop when bones in the middle of the foot are pushed down from joint dislocations in the toes.
• Weakened ligaments from Rheumatoid Arthritis can cause these two joint deformities, conditions where toes are permanently bent and curled under, like a claw. Hammertoe in the second toe is common in people who have a bunion in the big toe.
• Severe claw toes can become fixed and rigid. They do not move when in a shoe. The extra pressure from the top of the shoe can cause severe pain and can damage the skin.

Complete healing of Rhematic foot complaints is not possible, but a reduction of your symptoms is often possible.

The Medical Pedicure treats complains that arise from abnormal functioning of the feet or the walking pattern, also treats  skin and disorders and gives preventive advice.