Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterised by (chronic) inflammation of the joints. When a joint becomes inflamed, the synovial membrane lining the joint thickens and begins to produce extra synovial fluid, causing bulges to form (known as rheumatoid nodules).

The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown. The immune system turns against the body itself, but the reason for this is unknown. It is not a hereditary disease, but there are indications that hereditary factors increase the likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, apart from the hereditary aspect, there are also environmental factors that can have a negative influence, such as smoking.

People with rheumatoid arthritis mainly suffer from swelling and pain in the joints, as well as morning stiffness. This is often accompanied by foot problems. It is very typical of rheumatoid arthritis for lumps and misalignments to develop in the joints of the foot. A common condition is a misalignment of the big toe accompanied by a lump, known as hallux abducto valgus (HAV), as well as hammer toes and claw toes. As the alignment of the feet changes, a different gait pattern also develops. This leads to increased pressure on certain areas of the foot and results in the formation of more calluses, which in turn causes pain.

Another common complaint associated with rheumatoid arthritis is forefoot pain; the ball of the foot is under constant strain whilst walking, which means the toe joints can become irritated more quickly. These symptoms stem from an abnormal gait or abnormal foot and/or toe position, which is why it is important to ensure that the feet are treated in good time. This can be achieved either by wearing well-fitting, sturdy footwear or by using orthotic insoles to reduce the pressure on the foot joints. Pedicurists can also play an important role in this by keeping calluses on the feet under control.